From street to classical: an overview of dance genres all in one place.
There are many dance genres, just like there are many genres of music.
In addition to categorizing dance by the type of music it’s performed to, there are also genres defined by how the body moves.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of dance genres you might see in artists’ music videos and in performances by dancers—from street styles to classical dance.
We’ll share videos that show the characteristics of each genre, so enjoy exploring the deep and fascinating world of dance.
From street to classical: An overview of dance genres (1–10)
Jazz hip-hop dance
Among all dance genres, jazz dance is particularly standard.
It’s performed widely across various industries, and in Japan, you’ll often see it in fields like the Takarazuka Revue, Sakamichi-series idols, and Johnny’s idols.
While it doesn’t have the intensity of hip-hop dance, its expansive, full-body movements leave a strong impression.
Although it’s a standard genre, it has a demanding side: depending on expressiveness, it can look very good—or not so good.
It’s recommended for those who enjoy delicate dance that pays attention to every detail, down to the fingertips and toes, much like ballet.
Breakdance (Breakin’)
House dance is a genre of dance performed to house music.
House music follows the so-called four-on-the-floor structure, and its rhythm is said to be very easy to catch.
This might make house dance seem simple by extension, but it isn’t.
Compared to hip-hop dance, house dance has a significantly faster BPM, and because the beat doesn’t change much, it demands a dancer’s expressive ability in a very direct way.
If you want to feel a dancer’s expressiveness up close, you should delve into house dance.
Clamp
Vogue, a dance genre that became popular in the 1990s.
Although it originated in the 1960s, it gained worldwide recognition thanks to Madonna’s iconic hit “VOGUE.” The true appeal of vogue lies in its sensuous arm-and-leg movements.
It’s characterized by fluid choreography and was often used with laid-back house music in the old-school era.
Today, it’s frequently mixed with popping, and it pairs exceptionally well with popping dancers who have long limbs.
Vogue
Jazz hip-hop dance is a sultry dance genre that brings out feminine allure.
It’s a derivative of hip-hop dance, characterized by more sensual choreography.
Despite the name “jazz,” it’s now often performed to R&B or slow jam tracks, and many works by K-pop girl groups prominently feature jazz hip-hop dance.
It’s a fantastic genre that combines sexiness born from body flexibility with the striking contrast of dynamic choreography.
jazz dance
Even people who aren’t familiar with dance have probably heard of jazz dance.
That’s because the dancers you see in theme park parades and the backup dancers for artists on TV are often performing jazz dance.
For those not well-versed in dance, it’s likely the most familiar style.
Jazz dance is a style that incorporates the basics of ballet, and because the way it’s danced can vary greatly depending on the music, it’s a highly flexible form.
Jazz dance originated in the 1920s in New Orleans, USA.
It spread as dancers performed to live jazz music.
Well-known jazz dancers include Kaori and Koharu Sugawara.
House dance
Among street dance styles, one of the most mainstream genres is lock dance, also called locking.
It’s often misunderstood as a genre danced to rock ’n’ roll, but the “lock” in lock dance means “to lock” or “to freeze.” As the name suggests, locking emphasizes sharp contrasts between stillness and movement.
It’s actually a style you often see in Japan; Johnny’s-type idols frequently perform locking.
With its long history, it’s a genre packed with the fundamentals of dance.
If you want to learn dance, starting with locking might be a good idea.
Pop dance (popping)
A dance genre known for its unique expression: reggae dance.
Most people have probably heard the name at least once.
However, many might not actually know what kind of dance it is.
Reggae dance has a very unusual style, and at first glance its appeal can be hard to grasp.
That’s because, unlike breakdance or hip-hop dance, it doesn’t feature big, flashy moves.
It may seem understated, but it’s actually known as a dance that demands exceptional expressiveness, even among many genres.
Also, because the styles differ greatly between men and women, a good way to get to know reggae dance is to start by comparing male and female performances.