How to Compete in Hip Hop Dance
Hip Hop dancing is more than just booty shaking and flipping hair. Without paying attention to the history of hip hop instead of the copycats, your crew just might come off looking like amateurs. Read more to find out details on how to compete in hip hop dance.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Hip Hop videos, preferably with breaking incorporated in them
- Underground and mainstream hip hop music
Instructions
-
How to Compete in Hip Hop Dance
-
1
Bring something unique to the dance floor. Popping and two-stepping are okay at a club, but in a dance routine, those common moves get old quickly. The most powerful crews in dance shows like "America's Best Dance Crew" were the crews who brought something that viewers don't regularly see in mainstream rap videos. Status Quo used gymnastic stunts and funk to wow the crowd. The JabbaWockeez used humor, breaking, fluid movement, synchronized steps, and charisma to win the competition.
-
2
Avoid doing old dance moves unless they fit the music. Doing the Cabbage Patch, the Troop, or the Wop might get you a few chuckles, but if you're seriously competing in a dance competition, keep up with the latest moves. If you can break, that's always a good thing because, for a hardcore hip hop audience, they will appreciate you for honoring one of the four elements in hip hop culture.
-
-
3
If there is an African dance school or hip hop performance area in your neighborhood, visit and/or join it. Even superstar Michael Jackson learned and adopted the Moonwalk from hanging out with breakers who were doing the electric boogaloo, sliding, and locking. You will learn so much just from observation, specifically the gritty attitude, strength, and power in hip hop moves. If you're smiling while you're doing hip hop moves, chances are you're doing them wrong.
-
4
Become fluid with your moves. It is more than obvious when someone can really dance and when they are dancing by counting steps. Technically, R&B dancers like Omarion, Marques Houston, and Justin Timberlake can do hip hop moves. However, their moves are mechanical, and if you look at their faces, it looks like they're counting steps. Then look at Usher, Chris Brown, Ciara, Sean Paul, Nelly, or Missy Elliot. Learning a move is the easy part. Making it look natural takes practice.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Breaking is hard work, a lot of balance, and an insane amount of strength. It takes breakers years to perfect their craft. Do not try more sophisticated moves as an amateur unless you have a gymnastics background. Breakers have injured everything from their fingers, legs, toes, back, and neck from some of the more dangerous moves, such as the bronco or flares.
Resources
- Photo Credit Shamontiel L. Vaughn, MTV.com
