How to Become a Skilled Hip-Hop Dancer and Learn Fast

Hip-hop is an urban dance style that may seem simple at first glance, but it's best to start learning it at a professional dance studio. A skilled choreographer will teach you the basic moves, refine your technique, and take you to the next level. Plus, dancing in a friendly group is way more exciting than learning solo from YouTube videos.

Key aspects of hip-hop to focus on include a solid sense of rhythm, improvisation skills, and personal expression. Without these, it's hard to become a great hip-hop dancer.

Another important factor is the space where you dance: it needs to be spacious since hip-hop involves jumps, flips, and various spins. Choose loose, comfortable clothing that doesn't restrict your movement.

Once you've mastered the basic hip-hop elements—bounce and step—you can move on to more complex moves like:

— Cris-Cross. A cross-step move involving the legs, performed at a fast pace. The legs constantly swap positions: the right leg jumps in front of the left, crossing it, then the left jumps in front of the right. You don't have to alternate every time—do two crosses with the right leg and two with the left. You can also lift your legs slightly during the jump.

— Advanced Two-Step. Start with your body straight and back upright. On count "one," step your right foot slightly back and to the right, bending your knees. Spread your elbows out, and hold your fingers on both sides of a cap's brim. On count "two," straighten your body, bring your feet together, and extend your arms forward parallel to the floor. Palms face down, with your index, middle, and thumbs extended; the rest are curled.

— Step with a Leg Sweep. Start with feet together. On "and," bend your left knee and sweep it back, then take a small step forward. Bring your right foot behind your left, bending your knees. Then step your left foot forward and slightly to the side, keeping your right foot back. Your body bounces throughout the move. Your arms follow the step—moved forward (as in the end of move #2), then pulled toward your chest, then forward again, and finally down. Keep your fingers in a fist.

— Alfy. Stand with feet slightly apart. Alternately bend your right knee, then your left, lifting each leg upward. When a leg is up, tilt your arms and torso slightly toward it. When the leg comes down, keep your elbows bent and pointing outward, and your body straight.

— Pas de Bourrée. Step your left foot back and across, open your right foot forward, then place your left foot slightly beyond your right. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart. As you move, your torso leans slightly to the right at first, as if your left foot forced it. At the end, straighten your torso. Keep your elbows pointing outward and your hands in fists.

— Toyman. Stand with feet apart, arms out to the sides, elbows bent, and fists pointing inward. Open your left arm to the side, then your right. Then bend your left elbow and raise it at a 90° angle, keeping your right arm open. In the Toyman move, your feet alternately turn inward. At the end, return them to the starting position. This move is very fast, so practice it slowly first to coordinate your arms and legs correctly.

Besides learning dance routines, hip-hop requires paying close attention to rhythm, as moves can fall on 1/4 or 1/8 beats. You need to feel the rhythm of the dance. With a skilled choreographer, you can achieve great progress within a year.