Hip hop refers to a variety of musical forms that originated in the 1970s among African American and Latino youth in New York's South Bronx and Harlem neighborhoods. You can hear this genre in various clubs and at some parties, so it helps to give the impression that you know your stuff when you listen to a song like "Forever" by Chris Brown or "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg. If you want to find out how to dance hip hop, read on.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart
When you start dancing hip hop, you are on the safe side this way. This neutral stance will make it easier for you to take any step you want to try. The knees should be slightly bent; in this way dancing will be easier and you will avoid looking too tense or formal.
Step 2. Wear comfortable and relaxed clothes
Clothing should be soft and comfortable when you exercise. Relax and put on some good hip hop music. You can choose OutKast, Lil Jon, Kanye West or any other artist who makes you want to move to his music.
- Wear shoes that don't have excessive traction on the ground. You need to be able to slide and turn easily. If the soles stick very closely to the floor during a quick movement, you could fall or sprain an ankle.
- When you dance hip hop, you don't have to look tense. Try to look relaxed, with a loose body; do not straighten your back too much or give the impression that your head and neck are excessively tense.
Step 3. Keep your arms straight at your sides
Do not cross them on your chest and do not nervously gesticulate with your hands. You have to keep them soft along the hips; be relaxed when you start moving to the rhythm of hip hop.
Step 4. Shake your hips
When dancing hip hop it is important to involve this part of the body. You have to move your hips to the right, left, front and back following the flow. As you prepare to show off amazing moves, this must be one of the first actions to take.
Step 5. Start moving
You don't have to follow the way others dance, but know the movements. There is no absolute method to dance hip hop. The secret is to relax, move your hips and discover the dance steps you feel most yours. You can acquire elements of famous dances or invent them yourself, and then mix and match different movements according to your preferences. Read the following section to find inspiration and try several steps.
Remember, the important thing is to make it clear that you know your business, everything else doesn't matter. If you behave confidently and like you know what you are doing, then people will have confidence in your artistic abilities
Part 2 of 3: Mastering the Movements
Step 1. Learn the Dougie
Learning the entire My Dougie dance can be quite helpful in anticipation of when you'll hear this song at a club or party, but knowing the main steps, which require you to move your arms and shoulders from left to right, can be just as useful. to enrich your dance steps. In fact, you can add a step of this dance to your hip hop movements at any time. You don't have to do it in its entirety, you can only do it for a few seconds before moving on to another movement.
Step 2. Dance the Stanky Leg
It's another fun dance step. It gives the impression that one of the legs has some problem, which is why the term stanky is used, a variant of the adjective stinky, which denotes something bad, unpleasant or with a bad smell. While these moves are part of a dance, you can perform the Stanky Leg at virtually any time; all you have to do is stretch one foot outward and lean in the opposite direction, moving your outward foot as if it were stuck. After a few seconds, you can repeat the move on the other side.
Step 3. Learn Body Pop
It's another classic hip hop movement. It consists in isolating one part of the body at a time, making it "snap" by means of a fast contraction and relaxation of the muscles. You can do this with your arms, shoulders, chest, or any other part of your body while on the dance floor. It's a great step to use from time to time, without over-emphasizing it.
Step 4. Make the Helicopter
It is a classic step of breakdance. You have to squat on the floor, with your hands resting on the ground. Move one leg around the whole body. To do this, you need to lift your hands and jump at the right moment, so that your feet don't get in the way of your hands and the other leg. This is an ideal step to take on the dance floor, especially if you are surrounded by other people.
Step 5. Try the Pop, Lock and Drop It step
This movement requires three steps. First of all, you have to do Popping, which is to quickly contract and relax a part of the body. Then, you have to perform the Locking, that is to assume a solid position and stop. Finally, get down and loosen up, with your feet wide apart. You can do this at any time in the middle of any dance step.
Step 6. Shuffle with your feet
You can learn how to perform the classic T-step, master the Running Man or combine them with each other. Shuffle is a classic movement that requires you to have good coordination and nimble feet. If you know how to do it, you will immediately look like an expert on the dance floor.
Step 7. Do the Nae Nae
This dance step requires you to bend your knees, move your arms up and down, and cross them behind you. The elements of this dance can be perfect for any hip hop beat.
Step 8. Do the Moonwalk
If Michael Jackson saw you sporting this classic move of his on the dance floor, he'd be proud of you. All you have to do is master some agility with your feet, as if you are moving forward when in reality you are retreating. This classic dance step can be performed during any song, even for just a few seconds.
Step 9. Twerk
If you're a girl, don't be afraid to sway a little more than usual by trying this bold step on the dance floor. If Miley Cyrus has succeeded, you can too: you simply have to feel comfortable, lean forward and shake the B side. Don't hesitate to show off this move in a club, especially in the company of your friends.
Step 10. Grind with another person
Hip hop music is made for grinding. Don't be afraid to approach another person, coordinate the movements of your hips with theirs, grind face to face or turn your back. If this movement seems too intimate to you, you can still keep your distance and let loose to the beat of the music.
Part 3 of 3: Other Ideas
Step 1. Watch and learn
MTV, YouTube, and the internet are all packed with great music and videos from people of varying degrees of skill. Whether the talents in these films are well-known artists or suburban housewives, what matters is watching their moves. Copy them when you can, and be inspired by what you can't do right now.
Watch a friend try out a sequence of steps, then practice repeating them. Learn the same basic moves and practice all the moves several times, gradually adding the more difficult steps. Finally, season it all with your own style
Step 2. Take lessons
If you've learned a lot on your own so far and think you've grasped the basics, sign up for a course to improve. Many schools and gyms offer hip hop classes.
- Find a good dancer in your area and ask him if he gives lessons.
- If you can't afford a course, you can try watching YouTube videos. It's a great way to learn hip hop without having to pay a teacher.
- Find out at the gym. Besides being fun, hip hop is great for keeping fit!
Step 3. Be consistent
Some are born to dance, others have to put in a little more effort. Whatever your case may be, the important thing is to work and give your all from start to finish.
Practice on your own. Dance in a room where no one can see you and where you don't have to worry about what other people think - just get your body used to the beat. Let it move at its own pace
Advice
- Always feel the music flowing through your body.
- Practice a lot.
- Start dancing alone in front of a mirror. You will feel more comfortable.
- Have fun: dancing means finding yourself and losing yourself at the same time, so unplug.
- Remember it's a workout. Stretch before and after dancing for a flexible and agile body.
- First, practice the basics, then move on to the complicated movements.
- If you forget something, keep moving anyway.
- When you dance, don't worry about what other people think, the only thing that matters is to have fun and enjoy the moment.
- Sign up for a hip hop class. You can find cheap ones that have the same quality as the more expensive and professional ones. You could also ask a friend to help you. If you know a dancer, you can invite him to your house to teach you how to dance.
Warnings
- If you don't have a great sense of rhythm or are shy, be patient, practice, and cultivate a good attitude. With a combination of heart and hard work, you can become a great hip hop dancer.
- Watch out. Just like with any other physical activity, there is always the possibility of getting hurt. In the beginning, warm up and stretch to prepare. Don't train when you're drunk, tired, or in a dangerous place, and put off the hardest moves until you're ready.
- Start with easier movements to warm up, then continue with steps you don't quite master yet.
- Once your feet get more agile, find someone to dance with. You can support each other and help you stay balanced as you learn the most difficult steps.
