History of Hip-Hop Dance: Evolution and Popularity

This paper explores the history and evolution of hip-hop dance, from its origins in New York City to its current popularity as a modern art form. It discusses the key components of the dance, including music and movement, and highlights the innovators and popular moves that have made it such a beloved and all-encompassing style. The paper concludes by reflecting on the cultural value and contribution of hip-hop dance.

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History of Hip-Hop Dance
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Introduction
The purpose of the paper is to highlight the history of hip-hop dance. The paper is also
concerned about its evolution through the years and how it has grown up to be one of the most
popular dance forms especially among the young generation. It is not that this particular dance
form has a very old history, but surprisingly it has occupied a significant place in the modern
world of art in combination with music of early times. The main reason which resulted in the Hip
–Hop dancing is a tendency to do something revolutionary and initiate a movement. Since,
without contrary there is no progression, a group of young people bought this form of dance to
the streets and it gained popularity in no time. The paper will conclude by giving an overview of
the entire topic and also reflect on the topic.
Discussion
This particular dance form can be dated back to the early 1960s and 70s when a kind of
art revolution took place as found from Bbc.co. After much research it has been found that the
dance form called the Hip –Hop dancing has germinated in the New York City in the latter half
of the 20th century. According to Thoughtco.com it began as an art form that was different from
the high class stage performances, sophisticated opera shows affordable by only a handful of
people. The Hip –Hop dance became the biggest method of entertainment for the people from the
common mass. It was affordable, energetic, pleasant and all encompassing. Although it was a
form of street dancing, it did not mean that it was not for the people of academy. The moves of

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Hip-Hop were highly inspired by the aesthetic and complex music rhythms along with the style
of the African dancing.
All these components came to be forming a new style called Hip –Hop dancing. The
main components were music and movement that gave rise to this new form of art. However, it
has to be mentioned that although there are elements of African dancing such as tap and swings,
the Hip –Hop dance form has become an individual style and has its own class, identity and
standards. Up to the 1980s, it was mainly a street form of dance but after the moves became
more institutionalized. The moves found new names such as popping, breaking, locking and
others so much that it ultimately found more formal venues. With the help of trained
choreography, the moves found new forms but the popularity and competitiveness has still
remained the same.
There have been many innovators of this dance form. Among them few innovators are
customary to mention. They are Dan Karaty, Chucky Klapow, Michael Jackson, Robert
Hoffman, Comfort Fedoke, Soulja Boy and others informs Pazera. At the beginning, the Hip-
Hop dance form used to be a group dance form but now people do perform it as a solo dance
performance. Due to the advent of social media and television shows, such dance forms have
received popularity with electrifying speed. In the early days, the hip –hop dancers used to take
the help of light poles that has been replaced by DJ light s and music. Another aspect is also
related to the hip-hop dance which is Soulja Boy. According to Danehyet al.it is both the name
of a hip –hop dance as well as the stage name of a popular and successful rapper named DeAndre
Cortez Way.
It is important to note that hip –hop is nothing but the breaking of the monotonous nature
if dance prevalent in the age. Thus breaking is evident in movies such as Wild Style, Breakdance

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and Beat Street. These movies displayed the emergence of the new style in the later part of the
1980s. Hip Hop is a style that did not restrict itself within a limited boundary It was the free
display of inner expression and the celebration of life. Few of the most popular steps that pleased
the viewers most are Prep, Roger Rabbit, Cabbage Patch, Steve Martin, Robocop, Humpy
Dance, Running Man and others. According to the views of Davin Kibblewhite, who is a
member of S Rank, promoted hip –hop dance and said that it is not something people do It is
something an individual actually is, it is the way he thinks and the way he lives as informed by
Crawford.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion it can be concluded that hip hop has been one of the
most popular dance forms, rather it can be said that it is the most accepted dance form in the
modern world. Starting from the beginning it has gone through many stages. During the journey,
it has incorporated many features as well as shed off many features. After long years of struggle
to bring revolution and innovation, it has received its own standard, shape and identity. In the
highly competitive and modernized world, hip-hop has been placed at the most advanced for of
dancing.
Reflection
After having gone through so many empirical studies and exploring the views of many
scholars and experts, I personally have come to perceive this particular dance form differently. I
have learned a lot from the studies and at the same time adjoined my own observation regarding
an important aspect of dance. I believe that it has a high cultural value and contribution. It keeps
people alive and fresh. Those people who are involved with such dance form stay always active
as well as those who enjoy it visually. Since it is basically a group dancing, there is a huge scope

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for going around and making bonding of love and friendship with all types of people and class. It
is all about enjoying every second of life and making others happy with the rhythm.

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Works Cited
Bbc.co. "BBC Arts - The History Of Hip-Hop Dance - BBC Arts". BBC, 2018,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5CWQyWXZ4p7hr6NxG2L5qG9/the-
history-of-hip-hop-dance. Accessed 21 Nov 2018.
Crawford, B. 2018. History of Hip Hop Dance | LoveToKnow. [online] LoveToKnow. Available
at: https://dance.lovetoknow.com/History_of_Hip_Hop_Dance [Accessed 21 Nov. 2018].
Danehy, Dennis et al. "What Is Hip Hop Dance? - STEEZY". STEEZY, 2018,
https://blog.steezy.co/what-is-hip-hop-dance/. Accessed 21 Nov 2018.
Pazera, Justin. "Thousands Of Dancers In Phoenix For The World Hip-Hop Dance
Championship". KNXV, 2018, https://www.abc15.com/news/state/world-hip-hop-
competition-takes-over-arizona. Accessed 21 Nov 2018.
Thoughtco.com 2018. Learn The Essential Elements of Hip Hop Dance. [online] ThoughtCo.
Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/elements-of-hip-hop-1007133 [Accessed 21
Nov. 2018].