While hip-hop may look intimidating, it’s an easy dance for everyone to learn, including beginners! You probably won’t dance just like Michael Jackson or Paula Abdul from the start, but with lots of practice, you’ll get the hang of the basics and be ready to learn more complex moves.

After reading this article on learning hip-hop dancing and its basic moves, you’ll be on your way to becoming a hip-hop master.

Why is Hip-Hop Dance So Popular?

Hip-hop is often considered the antithesis of the dance stylings of academies and companies. Hip-hop music was invented by African-American dancers in New York City in the late 1960s, gaining popularity throughout the 1970s. African dance styles heavily inspired hip-hop. They both have moves that involve staying low to the ground and dancing to complex rhythms.

African culture and black Americans also invented jazz dance. While jazz dance and hip-hop often blend, hip-hop differs from jazz by being more fluid with the entire body. Pop dance, on the other hand, draws heavy influence from hip-hop, but tends to be more upright and rigid.

8 Easy Hip-Hop Dance Moves

Hip-hop may look intimidating for beginners, but learning just a handful of basic hip-hop dance moves can have you dancing like a pro in no time. Here are some tips on how to do hip-hop dance moves.

Popping and Locking

Popping and locking are multi-step dance move that makes even a beginner look like a professional. First, step with your right foot while putting your left arm up. On the next beat, cross both across your body. Once you pull your limbs in, push out with the opposite arm and leg. Let the wrist of the arm in the air circle and drop, or ‘lock’.

To pop, push your arms out forward and move back, as though you are popping yourself back. 

Break Dancing

Break dancing is an entire subgenre of hip-hop, if not its genre of dance entirely, but you can learn the basics in six steps. The most basic hip-hop movement is to helicopter the legs around the body while balancing on one arm.

To do this, get low to the ground, palm on the floor. Pedal your legs in a circular pattern, switching arms to let the legs continue to swing around.

Boogaloo Dance

The Boogaloo dance, inspired by Latin dances, is an exaggerated walk where the arms are swung wide. Step with one leg, swinging the opposite arm back, then pause for a beat. Step forward with the opposite leg, switch the placement of the arms, and once again pause for a beat.

Walk it back, pivot, then do the same on the other side, creating a V pattern. 

Social Dances

Social dance covers a wide array of dances, including the Bennington. This version of the Wop may be difficult for beginners, but it’s possible to learn. 

Rock the torso back and forth, keeping hands crossed over the groin. Then switch to swinging the arms back and forth, shifting weight from foot to foot. Kick on beat with the off foot before shifting weight back. 

Once you’ve mastered these moves, come visit our studio to learn how to elevate your game. Struggling with any of these techniques? We can help you nail your moves and become an incredible hip-hop dancer. 

Soulja Boy

To understand the mechanism of this iconic dance, you first need to learn the superman dance move. The superman move mimics the iconic pose of the superhero, with arms pushed towards the sky with clenched fists while you bounce back on your heels. 

To dance the Soulja Boy, you incorporate superman with arm cranks while bouncing back and forth on your heels. 

The Moonwalk 

The Moonwalk, invented by pop legend Michael Jackson, creates an optical illusion that still amazes decades after its invention. The dancer slides backward on the toes of their shoes while making motions that indicate they are trying to walk forward. This physics-defying dance is sure to dazzle on the dance floor. 

The Camel Walk

The Camel Walk is similar to the Moonwalk, except you’re moving forward. Pick up each knee and move forward on the beat, as though you’re a horse (or a camel). Remember to keep your body loose and flow with the movement to get the hip-hop flavor. 

The Running Man

The Running Man dance move is one of the simplest on this list. If you’ve ever tried to run in place, you’re already halfway to knowing this move. Run in place, pushing your feet back after they touch the ground. Then you can either swing your arms out on the beat or pull them in. 

The Wobble

The Wobble is a perfect example of the fluidity of hip-hop. Lean back and wiggle the shoulders in a modern version of the shimmy. Wobbling looks easy but can take some work to perfect. Take time to learn how to relax enough for the dance to look effortless while maintaining your form.

Body Roll

Body rolls are a hip-hop staple. With this dance move, you remain in place, but undulate your body bit by bit to create a wave motion with your entire body. If you’re going from the bottom up, start with your hips, then back, chest, shoulders, and head. If you’re going top-down, go in the opposite order. 

How To Start Learning Hip-Hop Dance Moves Quickly

Maybe you’re preparing for an event coming up, like a school dance or a wedding. Maybe you’re just hoping to develop a new skill before the season is over. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of ways to help you learn hip-hop dance moves quickly, whether inside dance studios or out.

Watch Videos Online 

If you’re struggling to follow written instructions, then look for videos of people dancing moves you want to learn. 

Use Mirrors or Record Yourself

Even if you feel confident in your moves, it’s hard to judge your form while dancing. Use mirrors to check that you’re on the right track, or record a video of yourself dancing to watch later. 

woman dancing to kpop songs in front of a laptop

Train Your Body Awareness

When learning hip-hop moves, is it important to practice body awareness, but what does that mean? Body awareness is being completely aware of each part of your body. This is an essential skin to have while dancing.

Before dancing, practice laying on the floor, take a deep breath and move each part of your body with your eyes closed.

Study and Break Down the Choreography

Before you can practice hip-hop, you need to understand each part of the choreography. Before attending a dance class or practicing at home, spend the night studying each part of the choreography.

While physically dancing is part of learning hip-hop, studying the choreography is just as important for beginners.

Master the Basics of Hip-Hop

Complex hip-hop moves may look fun, but you have to master the fundamentals of hip-hop first! As a beginner, you should focus on mastering the basic, simple moves that you’ll use to build more complex choreography.

Practice Daily

Nothing improves without practice. If you want to improve your hip-hop dancing, you’ll need to practice them regularly to keep your skills sharp. Join a dance crew to get down with other people like you.

Sign Up For Classes With On One Studios

The best way to learn to dance is to do it in person with professional teachers. At On One Studios, we have beautiful dance studios and experienced instructors ready to guide you to become the best dancer you can be.

Explore Your Dance Style and Advance Your Skills in Hip-Hop 

While you can certainly learn hip-hop from home, it’s way more fun in a group setting! Plus, while you’re learning the basics of hip-hop, it’s helpful to have an instructor who can help you advance your skills.

There are a variety of hip-hop dance classes available designed for beginner to advanced dancers. Discover hip-hop classes by music, style of dance, skill level, group size, and more.

Not only do hip-hop classes offer a great way to move your body, but they also give you the chance to connect with other fellow dancers.

Which Dance Class Should You Take?

Explore local dance studios’ beginner-level hip-hop dance classes. If you’re brand new to hip-hop, we recommend starting with an introductory class to help you learn more about the dance style and fundamental moves.

If you have some experience already, skip the introductory class and join a beginner class that interests you. Once you’ve taken a few classes and mastered the basics, you can move on to advanced classes.

Are You Ready to Elevate Your Hip-Hop Dance Moves?

Hip-hop dancing is popular, accessible, and always evolving. If you’re looking to add hip-hop moves to your repertoire, join us for hip-hop choreography dance classes near you that will help you learn hip-hop quickly while having tons of fun.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Learn Hip-Hop

How do I start learning hip-hop?

To start learning hip-hop, you need to become familiar with basic hip-hop dance steps. Watch videos to get a general understanding of what each move looks like. Then, sign up for a beginner-level hip-hop class at a dance studio near you. For more information, read our step-by-step hip-hop beginner’s guide.

Is hip-hop hard to learn?

While hip-hop looks hard to learn, it’s a very accessible dance style! All you need is a sense of rhythm and a willingness to learn and practice. To speed up learning, we recommend signing up for a hip-hop dance class for beginners.

What are the 4 basics of hip-hop?

The 4 basics of hip-hop music are DJing, MCing, Breaking, and Graffiti. 

  • DJing
  • MCing
  • Breaking

What is a good age to start hip-hop?

Anyone can start learning hip-hop, no matter their age! However, many people learn hip-hop when they are a child or teenagers between ages 7 and 12.

What are the benefits of hip-hop?

There are many surprising benefits of hip-hop, including physical and mental health benefits. The top benefits of hip-hop include:

  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Better flexibility
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Increased confidence
  • Stronger bones
  • Weight management
  • Improved physical fitness