Online Hip Hop Instructors ✔️ From £10

What is Hip Hop?

Hip Hop is a cultural movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s in New York City among African Americans and Latinos. Hip hop is a fusion of electronic tempo with urban culture. It emerged after the disco music era. The term hip hop refers to a type of music as well as an artistic movement and subculture. Although the term rap is often used as a synonym for hip hop, rapping is not an essential component of hip hop music. Hip-hop is a concept encompassing four elements: DJing, graffiti, break dancing and rapping. Other expressive and musical devices involved are beatboxing, hip-hop fashion, modern hip-hop dancing, group speech and slang.

Hip hop dance is a combination of different street dance styles. They are usually performed to hip hop music. Hip Hop is influenced by a wide range of styles that were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States.

The dance industry responded with a commercial, studio-based version of hip-hop—sometimes called "new style"—and a hip-hop influenced style of jazz dance called "jazz-funk". Classically trained dancers developed these studio styles in order to create choreography from the hip-hop dances that were performed on the street. Because of this development, hip-hop dance is practised in both dance studios and outdoor spaces.

In the beginning, the culture has four elements: MC-ing or rapping (MC=Master of ceremony) break - dancing, graffiti-making & Dj-ing. The beginning was set by Dj Kool Herc and his group in 1974. After the emergence of rap music, it was natural to have a proper dance to go with it. The break appeared in the late 60s. Back then it was just steps and was called "Good Foot", it was invented by James Brown. In the 70s Dj Afrika Bambaataa started the Zulu period . He founded the old school break group "Zulu Kings".

The end of the old school break came in the late 70's when the "Rock Steady Crew" appeared in 1979. They were the first of the new wave in break dancing. Their dances were more moving. Now, besides the footwork, other elements such as the chopper, back and head spins and many others appeared. The break itself was danced on boxes. When the breakers split into separate groups, each group began to write its name on the walls in the ghettos and subways, thus marking its territory. At first, the graffiti was simpler and represented names.

Are Hip Hop lessons and classes expensive?

Hip Hop is not only a type of dance but a whole culture. Hip Hop lessons are not expensive and you can find many professional teachers who would be more than willing to teach you the basics. Dancing has many benefits for you and your body so you should consider investing in Hip Hop classes. You can participate in these classes no matter what age you are and whether you are a beginner or not.