HIP HOP DANCE GLOSSARY (a place to start)

Afrika Bambaataa-1980’s DJ who coined the phrase “hip hop”. Used as part of MC’s rhyming “Hip Hop y’all, don’t stop
y’all).

Battles-any level of competition where breakdancers, in an open space (typically a circle) participate in quick-paced, turn
based routines, whether improvised or planned. Participants vary in number and can often include “crews” or teams.
Winners are determined by who exhibits the most proficient combination of moves.

Break Dance-(b-boying/b-girling) is a combination of funk, martial arts, gymnastics. Break dancing is done to the “break”
section of the music where percussion is the strongest.

-Top Rock-upright form of break dance with a string of steps, typically a warm up for transitions into more
acrobatic movements.

-Down Rock/Floor Rock-break dance movements done with hand/arm/head or body in contact with the floor that
are usually more acrobatic/gymnastic like.

-UpRock is a competitively oriented type of TopRock (break dance) consisting of foot shuffles, spins,
turns and creative movements.

Booty Poppin-also known as “poppin the cakes”. Isolated popping movements of the pelvis area usually done in quick
succession.

Capoera/Capoeira-form of self defense disguised as a dance introduced in Brazil by African slaves. Elements of break
dancing, martial arts done to Brazilian music.

Crew-group of break dancers.

Cypher-open forum, mock exhibitions of breakdancing. Competition is not emphasized, like you might see at a school
dance.

Clowning-form developed at the start of New School of hip hop in Los Angeles. Combines “gangsta dance” and stripping
(sexual elements/booty poppin/freakin). Often involves face painting.

C-walk-footwork which twists heel/toes out and in, associated with Clowning.

Electric Boogie/Electric Boogaloo-combines popping/locking and elements of miming.

Freeze (aka Stall)-stationary power move which focuses on a pose. Most skillful freezes require suspension off the floor
using specific parts of the body. Two most popular are “chair freeze” and “baby freeze”.

Family (aka Tribe)-group of Krump dancers formed together as a clicque. Normally has a “king” or mentor of the group
that does the teaching of moves.

Flare-common floor element when spinning on hands, legs flare up and open as spin continues.

Harlem Shake- isolating arms in front of body and shaking shoulders up and down.

Kip Up-spring like action which initiates on your back, hips roll back towards head, then body springs forward and hips lift
to end standing up.

K-Kick-a freeze with the legs and arms in a K-shape held with one hand on floor and body suspended.

Kool DJ Herc-coined the term “b-boy” and “b-girl”s for breakdancers.

Krumping-fastest growing form of hip hop, originated in Los Angeles. Free, expressive and often angry, form looks like
fighting and often involves body contact with another person. Newest trends lean away from sexual movements by
males and look more like a combination of break dance battles and mosh pit. Various styles include: Goofy, Rugged,
Beasty, Grimey, Flashy, Cocky, Jerky, Bully, Tricks)
L-Kick-a freeze ending with body in an L-shape.

Locking-sharp transition between each of multiple freezes/poses like clicks associated with door bolts. Has the effect
like locking the joints (moves called skeeters/Scooby doos/stop n’go/fancies).

New School Hip Hop-more about the flavor of your dance and what you do to the music rather than just the moves you
can execute. Musicality is emphasized more. Started in late 1980’s/early 1990’s.

Old School Hip Hop-more about the moves you do to the music and includes break dancing, popping, locking, Electric
boogie and funk dancing. Dates from 1970’s to late 1980’s.

Planche-a position taken from gymnastics which involves both hands on the ground, straight arms, and the rest of the
body is held off the ground completely horizontal.

Popping-movement with elements of mime made by flexing the muscles and joints to the beat of the music. Done with
locking to create movement/stop effect.

Robot-precise, isolated movements and turns that lock into place before the next movement begins.

Rolls/Waves-undulating part of the body, like and arm or torso from one end to the other.

Shoulda Lean-variety of slow leaning and popping of the shoulders. Can be done side to side, forward or diagonal in a
dipping type of movement.

Solar Eclipse-a move where the dancer balances on one hand on the floor and bounces in circles.

Suicides-dancer lands safely in a seemingly painful body position

Spins-Turns done down on an isolated part of the body, like an arm, torso, seat or knee. Often done inverted and
initiated by hands, feet or torque of the torso. First spins known as “floats”. Require momentum and balance and are
less difficult than freezes.

Worm-rippling of the body along the ground.

Valdez-from a sitting position, the right hand is swung behind the back, then the left hand. While the left hand is going up
in the air, do a side cartwheel over it.