artLIVE – Street Dance is not just about a few spins or muscle hits; it’s an entire culture. Moves like spinning, popping, and locking have long gone beyond the stage, becoming the DNA of the streets – free, rebellious, yet deeply meaningful in terms of race, identity, and community.
If you’ve ever watched a street dance performance, you can easily see that each dancer carries their own unique style, creating a mesmerizing diversity within the art form. Let’s join artLIVE in exploring the Street Dance styles that shook the world, shaped the identity of the hip-hop community, and are now exploding in Vietnam!
1. Breaking (Breakdance)
Breaking is considered the oldest form of street dance, born in the 1970s in the South Bronx, New York. Originating from African-American and Latino communities, it quickly became one of the five core elements of hip-hop culture and spread globally.
This style stands out with powerful floorwork and difficult techniques like power moves, headspins, and intricate footwork. To master breaking, dancers spend years building strength, flexibility, and creativity. Practitioners are often called B-boys or B-girls.
From a grassroots street movement, breaking has made its way to the world’s biggest stage by officially becoming a competition sport at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This milestone not only proves its artistic and athletic value but also marks its journey from the streets to the international arena – where street dance is recognized as a living cultural heritage.
2. Popping
Popping emerged in the 1970s on the West Coast of the U.S. and quickly became a hallmark of street dance. Based on the technique of contracting and relaxing muscles to create sharp “hits” or “pops,” this style delivers a unique visual effect unmatched by many others.
As bands transitioned from traditional instruments to electronic gear like drum machines and synthesizers, dance music gained precise, robotic rhythms – a foundation that shaped popping. Poppers often use isolation (moving one body part independently) to create illusions that make audiences feel they are witnessing the impossible.
Unlike breaking, which focuses on floorwork, popping is usually performed standing up, combining sharp, angular movements with fluid, graceful transitions. This gave birth to countless variations like robotic style, animation, or waving – allowing poppers to tell stories with their bodies.
3. Hip-hop (Freestyle)
Hip-hop dance gained popularity after the first professional street dance crews were formed in the 1970s in the U.S., especially as funkstyles and breaking started fading from mainstream media.
Evolving from social dances, hip-hop quickly built its own identity through freestyle, where dancers freely express themselves and showcase individuality.
The legendary Elite Force Crew from the U.S. played a key role in spreading hip hop dance worldwide, making it a cultural symbol of youth, energy, and creativity.
Today, hip-hop dance is more than entertainment – it’s a space for personal identity, where every dancer can tell their story in the most unique way.
4. House Dance
House Dance exploded in the club scenes of New York and Chicago during the 1980s, with house music as its heartbeat. Unlike other street dances, house emphasizes fast, intricate footwork, combined with smooth, fluid body movements, creating a light yet energetic flow.
It’s the only style tied directly to house music, while most others are linked to funk or hip hop. Over time, House Dance evolved into a global phenomenon – liberating, vibrant, and joyous for both dancers and audiences.
5. Locking
Locking is one of the oldest street dance styles, known for its fun and positive energy. Created by Don Campbell in the U.S., it was originally called Campbellocking, after he accidentally “locked” a move while trying the Funky Chicken, making the crowd laugh with its quirky charm.
Locking is characterized by strong “locks” combined with free-flowing moves and humorous expressions. Inspired by funk and disco music, it also borrowed ideas from cartoon characters like Scooby Doo and Tom & Jerry.
Bright costumes further define the style, making every performance joyful and entertaining.
6. Waacking
Waacking was born in Los Angeles LGBTQ+ clubs during the disco era of the 1970s and spread widely thanks to the TV show Soul Train. It’s recognized by fast arm movements, dramatic poses, and bold expressions performed to disco beats.
Waacking is more than technique – it’s a declaration of confidence, glamour, and self-expression. Dancers often perform in flamboyant costumes, turning each show into a dazzling fashion spectacle.
7. Krump
Krump emerged in Los Angeles in the late 1990s–early 2000s, created by Tight Eyez and Mijo. The name stands for “Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise”, reflecting empowerment and spiritual connection.
With explosive, raw, and sharp movements – including jabs, stomps, and chest pops – Krump is often mistaken for anger. In reality, it’s an outlet for releasing negative energy and expressing deep emotions.
From the beginning, Krump carried the message: “Replace street violence with dance.” It became a symbol of freedom, vitality, and healing in communities.
8. Memphis Jookin (MJ)
Memphis Jookin originated in the late 1980s in Memphis, Tennessee, evolving from Gangsta Walk (GW) – a dance tied to Southern U.S. hip hop culture. As gangsta rap grew, GW morphed into Jookin in the 1990s, characterized by smooth, expressive footwork.
From underground roots, Memphis Jookin hit the global stage in 2004 when a new generation of dancers partnered with Jai Production. Dr. Rico played a crucial role in documenting and preserving Jookin’s history, helping it gain worldwide recognition.
9. Voguing
Voguing originated in underground ballroom battles of 1960s New York, where LGBTQ+ communities freely expressed themselves and broke societal norms. It’s more than a dance – it’s a lifestyle, an attitude of pride and confidence.
Named after Vogue magazine, dancers strike model-like poses but with fluidity and artistry. Voguing features intricate hand performances, fierce catwalks, low duckwalks, and dramatic poses.
10. Passinho
From the narrow alleys of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas in southeastern Brazil, a vibrant new dance was born in the early 2000s: Passinho, meaning “little step” in Portuguese.
Initially danced barefoot at baile funk parties, it spread virally through social media, with videos gaining millions of views. Passinho is defined by lightning-fast footwork, sharp hip twists, and toe-heavy moves.
It gave favela youth a creative outlet, united rival communities, and turned local dancers into international stars. More than a dance, Passinho became a cultural movement of resistance, identity, and joy.
Unlike dances bound by rigid rules, Street Dance is freedom, creativity, and community. Anyone can start, anyone can find themselves in the moves. Its fusion with music, fashion, lifestyle, and attitude has built a vibrant culture that continues to “burn” with the youth worldwide.
References
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