Hip Hop

What Is Hip Hop?

Hip hop dance encompasses a broad range of styles that developed alongside hip hop music culture in New York from the 1970s onwards. The foundational styles include breaking, locking and popping, while the term has come to describe a much wider family of related urban movement styles.

Hip hop dance prioritises individual expression, rhythm and freestyle improvisation alongside choreography. The cypher — an informal circle where dancers take turns to freestyle — remains central to hip hop culture.

Commercial hip hop, as seen in music videos and stage productions, has further evolved the aesthetic with more theatrical and technically polished choreography.

Hip Hop vs Street Dance

Hip hop and street dance are closely related and often used interchangeably, but strictly speaking hip hop is one specific style within the much broader street dance family.

Benefits of Hip Hop

Who Is Hip Hop Suitable For?

Learning Hip Hop in London

London has one of Europe's most active hip hop dance communities. The city's diverse cultural landscape has produced internationally recognised choreographers, dancers and companies working in hip hop and urban styles.

Battle events, workshops with international artists and dedicated studio programmes keep the scene dynamic and continuously evolving.

Hip hop dance classes in London are available across dozens of studios at all levels. Most schools offer beginner sessions covering foundational groove, musicality and introductory choreography.

Advanced programmes focus on style development, battle technique and creative practice for those seeking a deeper engagement with the art form.

Hip Hop FAQ

• Can adults start hip hop with no experience? +
  Yes. Beginner hip hop classes teach foundational groove and steps from scratch — no rhythm or dance background is expected, and most adult students start exactly here.
• Is hip hop difficult to learn? +
  The basics — groove, weight shifts, simple footwork — are accessible from day one. What takes longer is developing musicality and personal style, which comes with regular practice rather than natural talent.
• What is the difference between hip hop and street dance? +
  Hip hop is one specific style tied to hip hop music and culture; street dance is the broader umbrella that also includes breaking, popping, locking, waacking and more. See our full Street Dance guide for the complete family.
• What age can children start hip hop classes? +
  Most London studios offer hip hop from around age 5–6 in simplified, game-based formats, with more structured choreography classes typically available from age 8 upwards.
• Do I need to be able to freestyle to join a class? +
  No. Most classes are entirely choreography-based. Freestyle and the cypher are optional parts of hip hop culture that dancers usually grow into once they are comfortable with the fundamentals.
• Is hip hop good exercise? +
  Yes. A typical class moves between drills, grooves and full-out choreography — an interval-style workout that builds cardiovascular fitness, coordination and strength without feeling like a gym session.
• What should I wear to a hip hop class? +
  Comfortable clothing that allows full movement — joggers or leggings with a t-shirt — and trainers with good grip. There is no strict dress code beyond comfort and safety.
• How much do hip hop classes cost in London? +
  Drop-in classes typically cost £8–£18. A structured 6–8 week beginner course usually runs £60–£150, with prices varying by studio and area of London.