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Following are some types

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This list gives a general overview of the main hip-hop dance styles: breaking, locking, and popping. Theses styles are the oldest and most established of all the hip-hop dances. They have achieved worldwide notability, are durably archived on film, and are the most commonly exercised in international competitive hip-hop dancing.

A b-boy in an airchair freeze at Street Summit 2006 in Moscow.

[edit] Breaking/B-boying

Main article: Breaking

Breaking was created by Black Americans in the Bronx, New York during the early 1970s. It was Afrika Bambaataa that classified breaking as one of the five pillars of hip-hop culture along with MCing, DJing, graffiti writing, and knowledge.^[58]^[59]^[60]^[61] Due to this status it is considered the purest form of hip-hop dance. Breaking includes four foundational dances: toprock, footwork oriented steps performed while standing up; downrock, footwork performed on the floor using the hands to support your weight;^{[note 8]} freezes, stylish poses done on your hands;^{[note 9]} and power moves, difficult and impressive acrobatic moves.^{[note 10]} In breaking, a variation to the traditional cipher is the Apache line. Ciphers work well for one-on-one b-boy battles; however, Apache lines are more appropriate when it is crew versus crew. In contrast to a cipher, opposing crews can face each other in this line formation and execute their burns. In 1981 the Lincoln Center in New York City hosted a breaking battle between the Rock Steady Crew and The Dynamic Rockers.^[46] "This event, which was covered by the New York Times, the Village Voice, the Daily News, National Geographic, and local news stations helped b-boying gain the world’s attention."^[63]

[edit] Locking

Main article: Locking

Locking, originally called Campbellocking, was created in Los Angeles by Don Campbell and introduced to the country by his crew The Lockers. Modern locking looks similar to popping and thus gets confused with popping all the time. In locking a dancer holds their positions longer. The lock is the primary move used in locking. It is similar to a freeze or a sudden pause. A locker's dancing is characterized by consistently locking in place and after a quick pause moving again.^[26] It is incorrect to call locking pop-locking.^[26]^[27]^[44] Popping and locking are two distinct funk styles with their own histories, their own set of dance moves, and their own competition categories. A dancer can do one or the other but not both at the same time. It was only after seeing The Lockers perform on TV that a young Boogaloo Sam was inspired to create popping and electric boogaloo.^[25] The Lockers were composed of a prior smaller group of lockers and robot dancers.^[50]^[63] Other than Don Campbell, some of the original members were Fred "Mr. Pinguin" Berry (Rerun on the 1970s TV sitcom What's Happening!!), James "Skeeter Rabbit" Higgins, Adolpho "Shabba Doo" Quinones, Tony "Go Go" Lewis, Charles "Robot" Washington, and Toni Basil—the group's manager.^[50] In honor of her instrumental role in giving locking commercial exposure, Basil was honored at the 2009 World Hip Hop Dance Championships as the first female recipient of the Living Legend Award.^[64]

[edit] Popping

Main article: Popping

A popper dancing at Solntsevo industrial building in Moscow.

Popping was created by Sam Solomon in Fresno, California and performed by his crew the Electric Boogaloos. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit. Each hit should be synchronized to the rhythm and beats of the music. Popping is also used as an umbrella term to refer to a wide range of 10+ other closely related illusionary dance styles such as strobing, liquid,^[24] animation, and waving that are often integrated with standard popping to create a more varied performance. In all of these sub-genres it appears to the spectator that the body is popping hence the name. The difference between each genre is how exaggerated the popping is. In liquid the body movements look like water. The popping is so smooth that the movements do not look like popping at all; they look fluid.^[24] The opposite of this is ticking in which the movements are static, sudden, and jerky.^[65]
Popping—as an umbrella term—also includes gliding, floating, and sliding^[24]^{[note 11]} which are lower body dances done with the legs and feet. When done correctly a dancer looks like they are gliding across the floor as if on ice.^{[note 12]} Opposite from gliding is tutting which is an upper body dance that uses the arms, hands, and wrists to form right angles and make geometric box-like shapes. Sometimes the arms are not used at all and tutting is only done with the wrists, hands, and fingers. In both variations, the movements are intricate and always use 90° angles. When done correctly tutting looks like the characters on the art of ancient Egypt hence the name—a reference to King Tut.

Description of Hip-Hop

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Hip-hop dance refers to social or choreographed dance styles primarily danced to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. This includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were developed in the 1970s by Black and Latino Americans. What separates hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvizational) in nature and hip-hop dancers frequently engage in battles—formal or informal freestyle dance competitions. Informal freestyle sessions and battles are usually performed in a cipher, a circular dance space that forms naturally once the dancing begins. These three elements—freestyling, battles, and ciphers—are key components of hip-hop dance.
More than 30 years old, hip-hop dance became widely known after the first professional breaking, locking, and popping crews formed in the 1970s. The most influential groups include the Rock Steady Crew, The Lockers, and the Electric Boogaloos who are responsible for the spread of breaking, locking, and popping respectively. Parallel with the evolution of hip-hop music, hip-hop dancing evolved from breaking and the funk styles into different forms. Moves such as the "running man" and the "cabbage patch" hit the mainstream and became fad dances. The dance industry in particular responded with studio/commercial hip-hop, sometimes called new style or L.A. style, and jazz funk. These styles were developed by technically trained dancers who wanted to create choreography to hip-hop music and to the hip-hop dances they saw being performed on the street. Due to this development, hip-hop dance is now practiced at both studios and outside spaces.
Internationally, hip-hop dance has had a particularly strong influence in France and South Korea. France is the birthplace of Tecktonik, a style of house dance from Paris that borrows heavily from popping and breaking. France is also the home of Juste Debout, an international hip-hop dance competition. South Korea is home to the international breaking competition R16 which is sponsored by the government and broadcast every year live in primetime on Korean television. The country consistently produces such skillful b-boys that the South Korean government has designated the Gamblerz and Rivers b-boy crews official ambassadors of Korean culture.

To some, hip-hop dance may only be a form of entertainment or a hobby. To others it has become a lifestyle: a way to be active in physical fitness or competitive dance and a way to make a living by dancing professionally.

TECHNIQUES AND STYLES OF pOPPING

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There are a number of dance styles and techniques that are commonly mixed with popping to enhance the dancer's performance and create a more varied show, many of which are seldom seen outside of popping contexts. That is why these moves can be considered a part of popping when using it as an umbrella term.

Animation: A style and a technique where you imitate film characters being animated by stop motion. The technique consists of moving rigidly and jerky by tensing muscles and using techniques similar to strobing and the robot to make it appear as if the dancer has been animated frame by frame. This style was heavily inspired by the dynamation films created by Ray Harryhausen, such as The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958).^[10]; Video example (YouTube)

Electric Boogaloo: A loose and fluid style trying to give the impression of a body lacking bones; partly inspired by animated movies and cartoons. It utilizes circular rolls of various body parts, such as the hips, knees and head, as well as isolation and sectioning, like separating the rib cage from the hip. It was developed in 1976 by Boogaloo Sam.^[5] The electric boogaloo is the signature style of the Electric Boogaloos (the dance crew).^[1]

Main article: Electric boogaloo

Bopping
: A style of popping in which the chest is isolated by being pushed out and brought back while flexing the chest muscles. As this movement is performed to the beat the popper can incorporate different moves in between the chest bop. When practiced the chest bop can be done at a double-time interval adding a unique effect to the move.

Cobra
: Similar to a Boogaloo, except you roll your chest like a snake.^[11]

Crazy legs: A leg-oriented style focusing on fast moving legs, knee rolls and twisting feet. Developed in 1980-81 by Popin' Pete, originally inspired by the fast and agitated style of breakdance by the famous b-boy Crazy Legs from Rock Steady Crew.^[5]

Dime stopping: A technique of moving at a steady pace and then abruptly coming to a halt, as if attempting to stop on a dime. This is often combined with a pop at the beginning and/or end of the movement.

Fast forward: The concept of moving faster than normal, like being part of a video being played in fast forward.

Floating, gliding and sliding: A set of footwork-oriented techniques that attempt to create the illusion that the dancer's body is floating smoothly across the floor, or that the legs are walking while the dancer travels in unexpected directions. Encompasses moves such as the moonwalk (sliding).; Main article: Floating (dance)

Fresno: A move, which defines all that is essential in Popping (also used in electric boogaloo). The Fresno can be performed in various different ways as only the following requirements exist. In a fresno, the dancer moves side-to-side doing a hit on each turn with the leg and arm of the side the dancer has moved to.

Liquid dancing: An illusionary dance style that focuses on flowing and continuous liquid-like motions, with concentration on the fingers, hands and arms. It is stylistically connected to – and often mixed with – waving. Liquid dancing is common in rave culture, and some dancers consider it a complete style of its own.

Main article: Liquid dancing

Miming: Performing techniques of traditional miming to the beat of a song. Most commonly practiced are various movements with the hands as if one could hold onto air and pull their body in any possibly direction. Miming can also be used to allow a popper to tell a story through his or her dance. This style is often used in battles to show the opponent how they can defeat them.

Old Man: Inspired by watching an old man who had one of his leg deformed and had walking difficulty, Off that, Boogaloo Sam saw inspiration and worked with that move.

Puppet: A style imitating a puppet or marionette tied to strings.^[5] Normally performed alone or with a partner acting as the puppet master pulling the strings.

Robot/botting: A style imitating a robot or mannequin.

Main article: Robot (dance)

Scarecrow: A style imitating the scarecrow character of The Wizard of Oz. Created by Boogaloo Sam in 1977.^[5] Focuses on out-stretched arms and rigid poses contrasted with loose hands and legs.

Slow motion: Moving very slowly with exaggerated movements to make it appear as if the dancer is viewed in slow motion.

Strobing: A style of popping that gives the impression that the dancer is moving within a strobe light. To produce this effect, a dancer will take any ordinary movement (such as waving hello to someone) in conjunction with quick, short stop-and-go movements to make a strobing motion. Mastering strobing requires perfect timing and distance between each movement.

Main article: Strobing (dance)

Ticking: A way of popping where the dancer pops at smaller intervals, generally twice as fast as normal.^[5]

Toyman: Based on action figures such as G.I. Joe and Major Matt Mason, developed by an old member of the Electric Boogaloos called Toyman Skeet.^[5] Goes between straight arms and right angles to simulate limited joint movement.

Tutting/King Tut: Inspired by the art of Ancient Egypt, tutting exploits the body's ability to create geometric positions and movements, predominantly with the use of right angles.

Main article: Tutting

Tutting example (YouTube)

Twist o flex: Moving only one body part at a time, which gives the impression that the body is twisting.

Vibrating: Tensing muscles very hard, causing them to shake or vibrate.

Walk-out: A move commonly used to change positions.

Waving: Waving is composed of a series of fluid movements that give the appearance that a wave is traveling through the dancer's body. It is often mixed with liquid dancing.

TERMINOLOGY OF POOPING

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As stated earlier, popping has become an umbrella term for a group of closely related styles and techniques that have often been combined or danced together with popping, some of which are seldom seen outside of popping contexts.^[2] However, the use of popping as an umbrella term has been criticized on the grounds that its many related styles must be clearly separated so that those who specialize in more specific styles aren't classified as poppers (ex: a waver, a tutter, a strober).^[1]
It is often assumed that popping is a style of breakdance. This is due in large part to the movies Breakin' and Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo. In these movies all styles of dance represented, (breaking and the funk styles: popping, locking, and electric boogaloo) were put under the "breakdance" label causing a naming confusion. This caused the media to associate funk styles with hip hop music and assume that popping and electric boogaloo were the same as breaking. The difference between the two is that breaking originated in the Bronx, New York and is danced on the floor while popping and electric boogaloo came out of Fresno, CA and are danced standing up.

Another term, pop-locking, gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s in some circles around Los Angeles as a general slang term for popping and its integrated styles. The term is controversial because some believe it generates connotative confusion by incorporating the word locking which is the name of another distinct funk style that is separate from popping.

Pooping

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Popping is a dance style and one of the original funk styles dances that came out of Fresno, CA in the 1970s.^[1] It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit. This is done continuously to the rhythm of a song in combination with various movements and poses.
^[1] Popping is also used as an umbrella term to refer to a group of closely related illusionary dance styles and techniques that are often integrated with popping to create a more varied performance .
^[2] A popping dancer is commonly referred to as a popper.
Like other styles of street dance, popping is often performed in a battle trying to outperform another dancer or group of dancers in front of a crowd. This gives room for improvisation and moves that are seldom seen in shows and performances [also referred to as freestyling]. It also allows for interaction with the other contestants and spectators.

History of locking

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The beginning of Locking can be traced to one man, Don Campbell. In the late 1960s he put together several fad dances adding moves of his own (notably the "Lock") when performing. The original lock was created by accident: Don Campbell couldn't do a move called the 'Robot Shuffle' and stopped at a particular point. He wasn't able to perform it fluently, for he couldn't remember which step to take next. (Even the acting towards the audience was spontaneous: when people started laughing at Don because of his unfamiliar moves, he responded by pointing at them.) These halts soon became popular as Don added them into his performances. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups, notably Campbell's group The Lockers. Another locker called Greggery 'Campbell Jr.' Pope and others set the foundation for locking dance and clothes style.
Clothes style can consist of loud striped socks, pegged pants that stopped at the knees, bright colorful satin shirts with big collars, big colorful bow ties, gigantic Apple Boy hats, and white gloves.
Later locking became part of the growing hip hop dance culture^{[citation needed]} , and has influenced styles such as popping, Bboying^{[citation needed]} and liquiding^{[citation needed]}. Locking is still quite popular and many current artists such as Beyoncé Knowles, BoA etc.

Moves of the Locking

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Locking may be done in solo or in unison with two or more dancers doing steps or handshakes together. A locker may smile while performing to emphasize the comical nature of the dance; other times, a serious demeanor will be maintained to place emphasis on technique. Other important stylistic features are waving of arms, pointing, walking stationary and grabbing and rotating the cap or hat. Don Campbell created the original freezes, incorporating his unique rhythm and adding gestures such as points and handclaps. Other dancers also adapted this style while adding some of the steps and moves listed below:
Alpha, created by Alpha Anderson; The Skeeter Rabbit, created by James "Skeeter Rabbit" Higgins; Stop 'n' Go, created by Greg "Campbellock Jr." Pope; Scooby Doo, created by Jimmy "Scooby Doo" Foster; Whichaway, created by Leo Williamson
Locking is by nature an improvisational dance, but also consists of a set of signature moves of locking pioneers, such as Hilty and Bosch, Jackson 5, GoGo Brothers, Bitterbox Sisters e.t.c. However, many lockers alter or blend these with other moves or create their own variations. In general The Lockers will often put a small pause and move up on the second and fourth beats to emphasize the locking and never use closed fists.

Following are some of the moves:

Alpha/alpha jaxs: One leg is kicked forward from a crouching position while the upper body is leaned backwards can be supported by both hands or no hands at all.
Break down/Rocksteady: in the squatting position, shift the pelvis to the side, then back to center and stand up then down and shift to the other side.
Jazz split: A semi-split done with one leg bent, which enables the dancer to get up again in one swift movement.
Whichaway: Altering twirl kicks to the sides first with either right and left legs, upper body stationary with arms in front.
Iron Horse: Slightly varied from whichaway, with only alternating kicks to the sides like a pendulum.
Kick: A high, quick kick of one leg while standing on the other.
Knee Drop: Drop to the knees with knees pointing inwards (into a W shape leg position).
Leo Walk: A funky two step where the first is an exaggerated step in a particular direction, followed by sliding of the second foot along the floor to meet the first.
Lock/Double Lock: Bending slightly forward with arms forming a circle downward, as if lifting a heavy object.

Up Lock (Muscleman)

Bending arms upwards, like the look of a strong man, and holding for a few seconds.
Pacing: A quick punch to the side then down, with hand starting just below the shoulder. (Fist should still be open.)
Pimp Walk: You kick then put your feet in a shoulder width V shape, but hands stay beside the dancer.
Stop and Go: Starting with a muscle man lock, step back with one foot and punch, do a quarter turn in the direction of the back foot breakdown once, and then return reach-around to the same position.
Stomp the cockroach: Going down on one knee, with the other leg pointing out to the side, then pounding the floor.
Scooby doo: Doing a muscle man lock then doing two separate kicks while pacing with one hand in time with the kicks
Scooby walk: Walking forward, lifting leg up and bending your back towards the knee
Scoobot: One arm and leg out then switching to the other leg. Leg out and arms crossed then wrist twirl andclap behind
Scuba hop: Slightly varied from scoobot with legs hopping towards the sides then the front.
Floor Sweep: Using your hand to swiftly move left to right on the floor, as if using a cloth to wipe.
Sitting on a W: Jumping down onto your knees with both feet out either side of you. Left Foot-Left knee-groin-right knee-Right foot = M shape Hence sitting on a W.
The Skeeter Rabbit/Skeeter Rabbit Around the World: a kick and shuffle hop move, either at the sides and/or front and back.
Funky Guitar: Hands positioned as if holding a guitar, and start walking backwards.
Funky Chicken: Similar to a rocksteady, you move your feet side to side, swaying like a chicken. This move is usually used to dis another dancer in a cipher/dance battle.
Funky Broadway: Closed and open thighs as you lock one side to another.
Point/Uncle Sam Points: A quick, extended pointing gesture coming from opposite shoulder, usually held for a few seconds for emphasis.
Wrist roll: Twirling wrists while moving arms up
The Seek: Doing a breakdown whilst rolling your arms in front of you and then lifting a hand up over your eyes as if you are looking/seeking for something
Hitch Hike: Arms up and then crossed in front of you, and then three hitchhiker thumbs up to the right and then the left.
Washboard: Hands move as if you are cleaning the windows using the cloth, and pushing your chest outwards as you move.
Cartwheels/Somersaults/Flips:: An Acrobatic feat in which a person rotates around the somersault axis, moving the feet over the head, can be performed either forwards, backwards, or sideways and can be executed in the air or on the ground.

EXPLANTIORY STATEMENT OF lOCKING

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Locking (originally Campbellocking) is a style of funk dance and street dance, which is today also associated with hip hop. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synced with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature.
Locking was originally danced to traditional funk, such as James Brown. Funk music is still commonly favored by locking dancers, and used by many competitions such as the locking division of Juste Debout.
The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which basically means freezing from a fast movement and "locking" in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing in the same speed as before. These movements create a strong contrast towards the many fast moves that are otherwise performed quite continuously, combined with mime style performance and acting towards the audience and other dancers. Locking includes quite a lot of acrobatics and physically demanding moves, such as landing on one's knees and the split. These moves often require knee protection of some sort.

A locker is a locking dancer. Lockers commonly use a distinctive dress style, such as colorful clothing with stripes and suspenders.