def SOL Productions - Hip Hop Dance Studios

615 - 2nd Avenue North * Saskatoon SK  S7K 2C7

  306.382.8367

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What is "Hip Hop Dance"? 

"Hip hop dance" is a generic term created by the media back in the 1980s to describe all dance styles that primarily originated outside of the dance studio.

In the 70s when most of the original urban dance styles where emerging, dancers would specialize in one style of dance. If you practiced breakdancing you were a bboy, if you popped, you were a popper, or locked, you were a locker. Starting in the 80s, choreographers and dancers began mixing styles such as ‘pop-locking’ so the media incorrectly labeled all of these styles under the name of ‘hip hop’ dance.

It is important to recognize that hip hop is not a dance style, it is a culture made up of these original elements: bboying, mcing, djing, graffiti and beatboxing.

So technically, ‘bboyin’ is the only original ‘hip hop’ dance.   All other dances evolved as separate subgenres to the various types of hip hop/funk music and the different ways each neighborhood/city interpreted that music.

Unfortunately the term ‘hip hop’ dance is now universal and here to stay but you can still stay true to the culture by learning the history and techniques of the original dances.

‘Street Dance’, ‘Street Style’ and just plain ‘Street’!
Street Dance is a more appropriate ‘umbrella’ term for all of the dance styles associated with hip hop culture and music that have evolved out of the hip hop or club scene. Here at def SOL, you will also here us frequently use the term ‘street style’ which can have several meanings as well. When you hear the term ‘street style hip hop’ we are usually referring to a mix of various styles of street and funk dance including popping, locking, waving, krump, bboying and many more. Compared to “studio” Hip Hop which is typically jazz based, street style hip hop requires that a dancer have knowledge and mastery of street and funk dance techniques. Street style choreography is typically hard hitting, aggressive, high energy and geared to get the crowd hype (excited). ‘Street’, as used to describe one of the classes offered in our performance program refers to dance styles originating from hip hop street culture.

What is Video Style/R n B?
Although ‘video style’ can and has been used as a broad term to cover all dancing in music videos, we use this term to describe the ‘smoother’ styles of Hip Hop characteristic of R&B influenced artists such as Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion, Aaliyah and TLC. Like street style, ‘video’ style Hip Hop uses techniques from various urban dance forms but is recognized for its intricate/detailed choreography, musicality (using unique beats/words in the music) and it’s super smooth flow. Video choreography challenges dancers to really connect with their music and put soul and style into their movements.

Is Street dance the same as Street Jazz?
Absolutely not! Street Jazz is a hybrid of modern Hip Hop styles and jazz dance. In contrast to Street/Video Choreography, street jazz requires a dancer to have knowledge of jazz technique. Inspired by pop, R&B and Hip Hop music, street jazz was popularized in the 80s by the the energetic, well-synchronized routines of artists like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. As the style evolved, some artists such as Justin Timerberlake gave it a bit more of a street style edge where as other artists created a softer ‘pop’ style seen in the videos of today’s commercial stars such as JLo, Brittany Spears and Christina Auguilera.

See the Difference!
Here are some examples of the different styles of ‘hip hop choreography’.
Street Style Hip Hop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNRR9rdIcag
Video Style Hip Hop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoaZccgTq9A 
Street Jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG5NhkxQJQc&feature=related