How to Dance Hip-Hop for Guys

Clubs often play a variety of hip-hop music.

Hip-hop dancing came about in the early 1970s, had its "golden age" in the 1980s through the early 1990s and is still a prevalent form of dance and music today. Hip-hop dance is commonly seen in nightclubs and breakdancing, another form of hip-hop dancing, can be seen demonstrated on street corners and on television. Learning hip-hop will start with a few basic moves. The key for guys learning to dance hip-hop is to use the backbeat of the music as your guide for the movements.

Things You'll Need

• Comfortable shoes
• Mirror
• Stereo

Instructions

1. Stand facing the front of the room or the mirror with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms hanging loose at your sides. Relax your stance so there is a slight bend in your knees.

2. Punch out to the front, alternating your arms in time with the beat of the music. Lean into the punch with your shoulder, angling your body into the arm that is punching. Exaggerate the bend in your knee, alternating sides coordinating with the punching arm. This movement will help you accustom your body to a basic hip-hop move that guys can do on the dance floor before big, highlight moves or simply when dancing with a girl.

3. Repeat the side-to-side motion in time with the beat but leaving your arms down at your sides. Exaggerate the shoulder motion to adjust for the lack of a punching arm. So, instead of punching out to the front, drop your shoulder in front, alternating sides, in an exaggerated motion. Keep your legs and hips engaged in the movement, so the alternation has a slight bounce to it.

4. Continue with the same side-to-side motion, but this time engage your arms in with the shoulder popping. Keep your hands in relaxed fists and as a shoulder comes up and drops to the front, bend your elbow to raise the hand toward your chest. Alternate hands as you alternate shoulders, keeping the bounce in the movement by continuing to bend your knee.

5. Repeat the same shoulder and arm movements, but as you alternate between bending your knees, shift the weight to the foot of the knee that is bent. This will allow you to pick up the opposite foot, enabling you to move around in the motion, walking forward or backward or even in a circle.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice your moves in front of a mirror, as it will help you tweak and perfect your dancing. It will also help you to build confidence since you can see for yourself what movements look good.

• Always wear comfortable shoes while dancing and ones that have traction. Sneakers are ideal for men dancing hip-hop, as they allow you a free range of motion while ensuring your feet don't slip on the floor.

References

• Hip-hop History: History of Hip-hop
• YouTube: Easy Hip-Hop Dance Moves - "Shoulder Blow"