Hip Hop is more than just a type of dance; it is a culture. Hip hop was born out of the desire to unite outcast youth while projecting peace, love, and fun.
Hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s in the Bronx, New York City, as a powerful cultural movement among African American and Latino youth. It began as an expression against economic hardship, gang violence, and social injustice.
Hip-hop culture encompasses four main elements: DJing, rapping (MCing), graffiti art, and breakdancing, which is a core component of hip-hop dance.
Hip-hop dance has its roots in the streets, where dancers gather to showcase their skills, engage in friendly battles, and express their individuality. Early styles included breaking (called breakdancing), popping, and locking. These styles were characterized by their energetic movements, acrobatic tricks, and intricate footwork.
Over time, hip-hop dance evolved, incorporating various influences and giving rise to new styles such as krumping and lyrical hip-hop.
The popularity of hip-hop music rose in the 1980s and 1990s, and hip-hop dance also started to gain mainstream attention. Dance crews began to form, and hip-hop dance made its way into music videos, television shows, and movies. Iconic films like “Breakin'” and “Beat Street” showcased hip-hop dance to a broader audience, inspiring countless individuals to take the dance form.
Today, hip-hop dance is a global phenomenon, continually evolving and influencing other dance styles. It remains a powerful form of self-expression and a way for dancers to tell their stories through movement. The culture of hip-hop dance emphasizes creativity, improvisation, and community.
At Miami Dance Project, our hip-hop dance classes are more than just lessons—they are a way to build community and empower the next generation. By incorporating hip-hop values, we create a space where young people can unite, express themselves, and rise above their circumstances.
Our students are taught to channel their emotions through dance, developing confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging.
Our hip-hop dance classes in Miami are characterized by the variety and creative freedom they offer. Here are some core elements that guide us:
Popping involves quick, muscular contractions and releases to give a jerk effect. This style often emphasizes hitting the beat sharply, creating a robotic or mechanical appearance.
Locking is characterized by quick movements followed by a freeze or a sudden halt. Unlike popping, which focuses on quick muscle contractions, locking involves holding positions longer and incorporates more playful, exaggerated movements. It’s energetic and often includes comic expressions and enthusiastic hand and arm gestures.
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, incorporates floor work, battles, and acrobatic movements, making it one of the most physically demanding hip-hop styles. This dance style includes four main elements: top rock (footwork performed while standing), down rock (footwork performed on the ground), power moves (acrobatic moves such as spins and flips), and freezes (holding a position on your hands or head).
New Style Hip Hop is a more fluid and expressive form of hip-hop dance, often seen in music videos and competitive dance. This style blends various hip-hop elements and continuously evolves with the music and cultural trends. New Style emphasizes musicality, where dancers interpret the music through intricate movements, combining aspects from popping, locking, breaking, and other street styles.
Freestyle is an improvisational, unchoreographed form of hip-hop dancing that is all about personal expression and feeling the music. It allows you to express your individuality and creativity, responding to the music in real time.
This element of hip-hop dance is about spontaneity and the ability to adapt to different beats and rhythms.
We offer hip hop at the following times:
Monday 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday 9:00 –4:00 PM
Saturday 9:30 –1:30 PM
Sunday Closed
Come and Visit our State of The Art Dance Facility
Learning the basics of hip-hop can take a few months, but like any dance form, mastering hip-hop can take years of practice. Regular classes and dedication are key.
No one is too old to start learning hip-hop. Our classes cater to adults and provide a supportive environment for learners at all stages of life.
Hip-hop dance: It originates from hip-hop culture and includes styles like breaking, popping, and locking. Street Dance is a Broad term that includes hip-hop dance and other styles developed in urban environments, like house, waacking, and voguing.
Miami Dance Project, established in the year 2000, stands at the forefront of the dance industry, known not only for its advanced training programs and innovative choreography but also for its profound commitment to serving the community.