Hip Hop Dance Vs. Street Dance: What's The Difference?

Hey guys! Ever wondered about the real difference between hip hop dance and street dance? You’re not alone! These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some key distinctions. Let’s dive in and break it down, so next time you’re on the dance floor, you know exactly what you’re doing!

What is Hip Hop Dance?

Hip hop dance is more than just a style; it's a cultural movement. Originating in the Bronx, New York City, during the 1970s, it's deeply rooted in the socio-economic realities of the time. The early hip hop scene provided an outlet for expression and a sense of community for African-American and Latino youth. The dance form evolved alongside hip hop music, which was characterized by its use of DJing, rapping, and sampling. Early hip hop dance included moves like breaking, locking, and popping, all of which were performed in informal settings like block parties and clubs. These dances were improvisational, energetic, and often performed in cyphers—circles where dancers took turns showcasing their skills. As hip hop culture spread, the dance evolved and diversified, incorporating elements from other dance forms and adapting to different musical styles. Today, hip hop dance is a global phenomenon, with classes, competitions, and performances taking place worldwide. It's used in music videos, movies, and stage productions, further popularizing the style. While it has become more structured and commercialized, the core principles of improvisation, self-expression, and community remain central to hip hop dance. Understanding the cultural context and history of hip hop dance is essential for appreciating its significance and impact.

What is Street Dance?

Street dance is a broad term encompassing various dance styles that developed organically in urban environments, outside of traditional dance studios. Unlike ballet or contemporary dance, which have formal training methods and performance spaces, street dance emerges from the streets, clubs, and social gatherings of a community. This means street dance is not just one particular style, but rather an umbrella term that includes many different forms of dance, each with its own unique history and cultural context. Some of the most well-known styles of street dance include breaking (also known as b-boying or b-girling), popping, locking, waacking, and house dance. Each of these styles developed in different cities and communities, often in response to specific social and cultural influences. For example, breaking originated in the Bronx in the 1970s as part of the early hip hop scene, while popping and locking emerged from California during the same era. Waacking developed in the LGBT clubs of Los Angeles in the 1970s, and house dance evolved in the clubs of Chicago and New York in the 1980s. Because street dance is rooted in social interaction and community, it is often characterized by improvisation, freestyle, and a strong connection to the music. Dancers learn from each other, sharing moves and techniques in informal settings. Street dance is constantly evolving, with new styles and variations emerging all the time. The term "street dance" gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s as these dance forms became more recognized and commercialized. Today, street dance is practiced and performed around the world, with classes, competitions, and performances taking place in many different countries. Understanding the history and cultural context of street dance is essential for appreciating its diversity and significance.

Key Differences Between Hip Hop and Street Dance

Okay, so here’s where it gets interesting. While the terms are often used interchangeably, it's important to understand the nuances.

Scope and Origin

Hip hop dance, as we’ve discussed, specifically refers to dance styles that evolved as part of hip hop culture. This includes breaking, locking, and popping as foundational styles. The origin is very clear, rooted in the Bronx in the 1970s, inseparable from the music, fashion, and art of the hip hop movement. In contrast, street dance is a broader category. Think of it as the umbrella term. It encompasses any dance style that evolved outside of dance studios, in urban spaces. This means that while hip hop dances are street dances, not all street dances are hip hop dances. Street dance can include styles like house, waacking, vogueing, and krumping, which, while influenced by hip hop, have their own distinct origins and cultural contexts.

Evolution and Influences

Hip hop dance has evolved significantly since its early days. It has been influenced by various other dance forms, including jazz, tap, and African dance. However, it has maintained its core elements of improvisation, self-expression, and community. The commercialization of hip hop has also had an impact, with the development of new styles and techniques that are tailored for music videos, movies, and stage performances. Street dance, on the other hand, has a more diverse range of influences, reflecting the different communities and cultures in which it developed. House dance, for example, is heavily influenced by disco and funk, while waacking draws inspiration from jazz and Hollywood glamour. The evolution of street dance is ongoing, with new styles and variations emerging all the time, often blending elements from different dance forms and cultures. The key is that street dance remains connected to its roots in social interaction and community, with dancers learning from each other and sharing their knowledge in informal settings.

Music and Style

When it comes to hip hop dance, the music is, well, hip hop! The rhythms, the beats, and the overall vibe of hip hop music dictate the movements and the energy of the dance. You'll often see a strong emphasis on syncopation and musicality, with dancers interpreting the music in a very direct and personal way. Think of those old-school music videos – that’s classic hip hop dance. For street dance, the music is much more varied. You might be dancing to house music, funk, soul, or even electronic music, depending on the specific style of street dance you're doing. The music influences the style, but the connection is often less direct than in hip hop dance. For example, waacking is typically performed to disco or funk music, with dancers emphasizing arm movements and posing in a way that reflects the glamour of the music. House dance, on the other hand, is usually performed to house music, with dancers focusing on footwork and improvisation.

Common Styles of Hip Hop Dance

To really grasp the essence, let's look at some popular styles that fall under the hip hop umbrella:

• Breaking (B-girling/B-boying): This is one of the original hip hop dance styles, characterized by acrobatic power moves, intricate footwork, and freezes. Think windmills, headstands, and popping up into seemingly impossible positions. It’s high-energy and visually stunning!
• Locking: Created in the early 1970s in Los Angeles, locking involves sharp, distinct movements, often incorporating freezes and comedic elements. Dancers “lock” into a position and then quickly unlock, creating a staccato effect.
• Popping: Another funk style originating in California, popping involves contracting muscles to create a jerky, popping effect. This can be done in isolation, focusing on different parts of the body, and is often combined with other styles to create a dynamic performance.

Common Styles of Street Dance

Okay, let’s expand our view and check out other styles that fall into the street dance world, but aren’t necessarily just hip hop:

• House Dance: Emerging from the Chicago and New York club scenes in the 1980s, house dance is characterized by fast footwork, fluid movements, and improvisation. It’s all about feeling the music and letting your body move.
• Waacking: This style originated in the LGBT clubs of Los Angeles in the 1970s and involves stylized arm movements, posing, and a strong emphasis on musicality. Waacking is expressive and often incorporates elements of voguing.
• Krumping: Krumping is a high-energy, expressive dance style that originated in the African-American community of Los Angeles. It’s characterized by sharp, powerful movements and is often used as a way to release emotions and express oneself.

Why Does It Matter?

So why should you care about these distinctions? Well, understanding the difference between hip hop dance and street dance gives you a deeper appreciation for the history, culture, and artistry behind these dance forms. It allows you to better understand the context of the dance and the music, and it helps you to communicate more effectively with other dancers and choreographers. Plus, it’s just plain cool to know your stuff!

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, both hip hop dance and street dance are incredibly vibrant and dynamic forms of expression. Whether you’re breaking it down to some old-school hip hop beats or grooving to the sounds of house music, the most important thing is to have fun, express yourself, and connect with the music. So get out there, find your style, and let your body move! Keep dancing, guys!