From classic lockin' dance tracks to its roots
When you practice every day or dance locking on stage, do you ever get stuck choosing a track?To nail sharp moves and clean poses, you need music that makes your body move without thinking!In this article, I’ll introduce a wide range of songs that will take your locking vibe to the next level.From classic locking anthems everyone’s heard to foundational tracks from the ’70s and ’80s that showcase the history and depth of the style, we’ve gathered them all.Find your favorite tunes and use them to deliver your best performance!
From classic Locking tracks to roots songs (1–10)
How GeeBlack Machine
When it comes to songs with a striking intro that dancers and especially locking dancers are familiar with, Black Machine’s “How Gee” comes to mind.
If you do locking, this is a track you can definitely relate to.
It falls under dance/electronic, and its funky saxophone tone really enhances locking.
Whenever this track drops in a dance setting, it’s guaranteed to hype the crowd, and it’s a staple in the locking scene!
Movin’ UpDayton
This track is upbeat and fun to dance to, and it’s the kind of song that makes even the audience start moving—Dayton’s “Movin’ Up.” Its funky, rhythmic vibe is perfect for locking and will make anyone watching want to get up and dance.
Since the world-renowned Japanese locking duo Hilty & Bosch have used this song, it’s clear at a glance how well it pairs with locking.
Give it a try and rock a cool locking routine to this track!
Boogie WonderlandEarth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland” is an upbeat dance track perfectly suited for rock dance, rooted in the disco-era genres of soul, funk, and R&B.
It’s a signature song of the 1970s disco boom and was also very popular in Japan at the time.
As you can hear, its danceable vibe and four-on-the-floor beat make it perfect for dancing, and it’s a track that makes you want to move with the rhythm.
With musical elements of funk and soul that fit rock dance so well, it might just be the ultimate track for anyone who does rock dance.
Soul PowerJames Brown
This song by James Brown, famous for funk and soul, is widely known as a staple track for locking.
Locking mainly uses Black music such as funk and soul, and among those, this track has been beloved by many.
Even today, many people who dance locking return to this original classic; whenever it plays, the crowd goes wild—it’s that kind of song.
Played-A-LiveSafri Duo
In locking, the “LOCK” refers to stopping after dynamic movements, and Safri Duo’s “Played-A-Live” is a perfect track to showcase that characteristic.
In the dance/electronic genre, what stands out is the percussion with its striking shifts in intensity.
That very percussion suits locking perfectly—it stops suddenly and pairs seamlessly with the idea of “LOCK.” Since it’s dance music, be sure to enjoy the rhythm that will make you want to move your body!
Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex MachineJames Brown
James Brown’s “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” is a classic in the world of locking that many lockers use.
Locking traces its origins to 1970s funk and soul music, and since funk was at its peak then, it’s no exaggeration to say James Brown’s tracks are emblematic songs for locking.
The “Get up!” (often heard as “geroppa” in Japanese) line is something that not only dancers but any music fan has likely heard at least once.
Uptown FunkMark Ronson
The classic song Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars is a legendary track in the dance world, used widely in locking and other dance genres.
The dance performance showcased during the Super Bowl halftime show also generated a lot of buzz.
Its funky dance groove makes your body move without thinking.
Since the track incorporates a variety of musical elements, it’s naturally popular not only for locking but also across many other dance styles.
Give locking a try with this track!