Hip Hop Dance Genres Explained: A Beginner's Guide

Why Understanding Hip Hop Dance Genres Matters

It’s important to understand a dance style before committing to a class. Hip hop has no single origin. It originated from many different neighbourhoods, DJs, and communities. Because of this, there are multiple forms of hip hop dance genres.

Familiarizing yourself with the basics allows you to understand each style and set appropriate goals. Some styles are sharp and intricate. Others are more fluid and warm. It’s a good idea to do some research because the reasons many beginner dancers give for quitting is choosing a style that doesn’t suit their personality or body type is often because of a lack of research.

The Main Hip Hop Dance Genres You Should Know

1. Breaking (Breakdancing)

Of all the styles of hip hop dance, breaking, or breakdancing, is arguably the best known. This is due to its use of footwork and freezes, as well as power moves like windmills and headspins. Breaking hails from the Bronx in the early 1970s and is one of the more physically challenging styles of hip hop dance. Breaking has gained an Olympic presence, which has pushed a new wave of interest from young dancers, including many of the kids who join our beginner-friendly programs. 

2. Popping

Popping is a dance style that uses the isolation of certain muscles to create a jerky or popping effect that is synchronous with the music. This style of dance originated in California and is commonly confused with locking, but the two styles have different mechanisms. If you’re someone who enjoys dance that is sharp and robotic, popping may be for you.

3. Locking

Locking is a style of dance that is very outgoing and bouncy. Dancers lock into a particular position for a brief moment before releasing into the next move. This is often coupled with large arm movements and facial expressions. Locking is an easier-to-follow style of hip hop dance for beginners due to the large movements.

4. Krumping

Krumping is a relatively new style of dance that is raw and high-energy. This style of dance originated in South Central Los Angeles in the early 2000s as a means of expressing frustration and releasing built-up energy through movement rather than confrontation. Krumping is intense, but very liberating once learned.

5. New Style / Commercial Hip Hop

This is the style most associated with music videos and live performances. New style hip hop incorporates elements of different hip hop dance styles and other movements that are smooth and on-beat. It is less structured and more about interpreting the beat with your own style, which is what we focus on in our Hip Hop Dance Classes at the studio.

6. Old School Hip Hop

Old school hip hop is the foundation of hip hop dance: the social dances of the 1970s and 1980s, the running man and cabbage patch, for example, as well as the early party dance moves. Appreciating and understanding these moves gives you a greater respect for the culture and what was to come.

How to Choose the Right Hip Hop Style for You

There isn’t a ‘best’ style in each hip hop dance genre, so you can choose based on your preferences.

• Precise movement can be expressed in popping and locking.
• Breaking is an excellent choice if you enjoy acrobatics and physical workouts.
• If you want to express your emotions and energy, you can try krumping.
• If you want to dance to modern music and want to learn how to move nicely, new style hip hop is your answer.

When asking for advice, most instructors will say the same thing as what we tell our students at Gurukul Dance Studio. Take a few classes before committing to one. If you are an adult who is new to dancing, our Adult Dance Classes in Calgary will be the perfect opportunity to take a few classes to see which style you like. Listening to your body is always a good method to see which style feels the most natural.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Trying to learn too many styles at the same time will not help you progress as a dancer; it will just leave you confused and frustrated. Some dancers think they can just skip the basics and go straight to learning advanced combos and do them themselves without proper guidance, and this can lead to an injury. It is better to take a class that has a planned structure and a teacher who can guide you so that you can learn the correct methods and techniques that you will not be able to unlearn.

Hip hop dance has a strong cultural heritage, and it is important to show respect to the artists and the communities by learning the history of the different styles and not just the steps.

Why Learn Hip Hop Dance Genres at Gurukul Dance Studio

Our instructors at Gurukul Dance Studio have trained in multiple hip hop dance styles and know how to break down technique for the absolute beginner without watering down the culture behind the movement. Whether you are a parent looking for a fun activity for your child, an adult seeking a new fitness outlet, or someone pursuing a long-term passion for dance, our classes are designed to help you progress at a pace that actually works for your body.

We have taken students from no dance experience to dancing confidently on stage all over Calgary, and we would love to do the same for you! Check out our class schedule to find a hip hop class that works for your week, or read reviews from other families. You can find our class schedule to see when hip hop classes are offered. You can also read what other families have to say in our student reviews.

Final Thoughts

Most people are surprised to learn how big hip hop is, and knowing the main hip hop dance genres is useful when picking a class that interests you. Breaking, popping, and new style are just a few of the genres that describe the acrobatics, sharpness, and fluid energy of hip hop dance.

The main way to determine your personal style, however, is not through observation. It is through participation. So, come to the studio to try it out!