Hip hop dancing

Originating in the ghettos of New York City in the late 1960s, Hip Hop dance is now a popular style practiced by people all over the world. Created by the African and Hispanic communities of New York City, Hip Hop dancing has since developed significantly and also includes moves originating from the California/West Coast region.

Description of Hip Hop Dance Style

By the 1970s, Hip Hop dancing was gaining worldwide recognition as a dance form and today it is taught globally in dance schools. Typically performed to hip hop, funk and rap music, Hip Hop dancing is fast paced, upbeat and well known for its high energy. Developed on the streets, Hip Hop dancing is predominantly improvisational and possesses a freestyle charm and funky street vibe.

Hip Hop dancing is not, however, all about free-styling. There are several key movements that are usually present in hip hop routines. These movements are more aptly described as styles of hip hop, as opposed to steps. They include breaking (which is now a dance form in its own right), Popping, Locking and Uprocking.

Composed of much shuffling, jumping and spinning, Hip Hop dancing can be taught as a routine in dance schools or performed freestyle by simply ‘feeling’ the music. Perhaps one of the most well known Hip Hop dances is The Running Man, performed famously by MC Hammer throughout his career.

Different Types of Hip Hop Dance Styles

As mentioned above, Hip Hop dancing comes in a range of styles. The best known of these styles include:

• Breaking - This style played a large role in the evolution of Hip Hop dancing and is now its own brand of dance form (break dancing). Breaking involves many acrobatic floor moves and requires reasonable flexibility.
• Popping - Popping is predominantly performed standing up and involves the dancer moving their muscles quickly then relaxing to create a jerking motion. This movement is closely associated with the famous ‘robot’ style of dance.
• Locking - Locking is a smooth and relaxed style and involves the dancer freezing or ‘locking’ a position for a few seconds and then resuming the dance once more.
• Uprocking - Uprocking is composed of foot shuffles, arm jerks and spins and is known as an ‘old school’ form of Hip Hop dancing.

Hip Hop Dance Lessons

Hip Hop dancing is now extremely popular within Australia and many dance schools provide lessons to beginners. Due to its fast pace, Hip Hop dancing improves fitness levels and is also popular as a form of exercise.

Hip Hop dancing moves quickly and can seem hard to learn at first, but once in tune with the music it becomes much easier for beginners.

Australian Hip Hop Dance Events

There are a number of Hip Hop dance events all over Australia. Some of these include:

• Platform 1 Hip Hop Festival – Held in Sydney, this festival is two days and nights of amazing performances, workshops and free events.