Tutting and Finger Tutting
Creating geometric shapes and angular lines with hands, arms, and fingers to the beat — popularized by Michael Jackson's robot and refined into a precise geometric art form by street dance crews.
Hip-hop dance is one of the world's most dynamic and culturally rich dance forms. This guide covers the essential hip-hop styles from breaking to krump, the foundational moves every dancer should know, and the culture behind the movement.
Creating geometric shapes and angular lines with hands, arms, and fingers to the beat — popularized by Michael Jackson's robot and refined into a precise geometric art form by street dance crews.
Steezy Studio, 1MILLION Dance Studio's YouTube channel, and Street Dance International offer structured progressive hip-hop dance curricula from beginner to advanced levels with professional instructors.
Before learning specific styles, mastering the groove — finding the bounce, weight transfer, and pulse of hip-hop music in your body — is the foundation every skilled hip-hop dancer builds upon.
An expressive, intense street dance from South Los Angeles using chest pops, stomps, and arm swings to release emotion. Tommy the Clown created clowning; Tight Eyez developed krump as spiritual expression.
Originated with California hip-hop groups like New Boyz in the late 2000s — precise leg movements, painted pants, and a distinctive bounce became a regional phenomenon before going viral.
Originated in Harlem's LGBTQ+ ballroom scene — poses inspired by Vogue magazine modeled in sequences. Popularized by Madonna's 'Vogue' but rooted deeply in Black and Latino queer community expression.
Created by Don Campbell in Los Angeles — a comedy-infused style that 'locks' movements at specific points then releases. Characterized by fast movements with sudden pauses and friendly, theatrical energy.
The original hip-hop dance — developed in the South Bronx in the early 1970s by DJ Kool Herc's crowds. Breaking combines toprock, downrock, power moves (windmills, headspins), and freezes in improvised battles.
Originating in New Orleans' bounce music scene — fast, rhythmic twerking to hyper-speed call-and-response tracks. Big Freedia's performances are the essential reference for understanding bounce's raw energy.
A funk dance technique developed in Fresno, California — rapidly contracting and relaxing muscles to create a 'pop' effect through the body. Waving, tutting, and hitting are all variations of popping.
The freestyle cipher — dancers taking turns improvising in a circle — is hip-hop dance culture's heart. Competitions like Red Bull BC One (breaking) and World of Dance showcase the world's best talent.
A club dance style from 1970s Los Angeles LGBTQ+ disco culture — dramatic arm movements whipping through the air synchronized with the beat. Equal parts athleticism, storytelling, and theatricality.
“Tutting and Finger Tutting”
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A guide to the most iconic hip-hop dance styles — from b-boying roots to modern street styles. Covers the history, key moves, and best ways to learn each discipline.