Dance
Check out these 10 modern classics that rocked the dancefloor
From the The Dab to the Floss, we run down the decade's hardest hitting party dances to rock the dance floor and stir up meme mania across the globe.
We might have the 1990s to thank for legendary moves like the Running Man and the Rockaway, but it's the 2000s that gave delivered the gargantuan party dances that broke the internet. Whether you were twerking like Nicki Minaj or doing The Dab these dances stirred up so much hype they've had universities, NFL players, waffle houses and even Michelle Obama getting into the groove.
Join us now as we run down the recent party dances that shook millions, from the mad good to the down right stanky.
1, 2 Step – 2005
Inspired by Afrika Bambaataa's old school b-boy track of the same name, Ciara and Missy Elliot teamed up and dropped 1, 2 Step in an Atlanta skating rink back in 2005, and changed the way we'd strut forever. It spawned numerous hip-hop dance tracks and strollin choreography, courtesy of a lengthy list of ATL's finest, such as Migos' Walk It like I Talk It, Rich the Kid's Plug Walk and one of Andre 3000’s personal favorites, Walk It Out by DJ Unk.
Superman – 2007
We've all wanted to be a superhero at some point, and back in 2007 burger flippin' Mississippi rapper Soulja Boy finally made that dream come true with Crank That – a hip-hop track and video that featured Omarion and Bow Wow hopping and stomping side-to-side before flying into the air in what would ultimately become one of the biggest hip-hop dance songs in history. The track made Soulja Boy an overnight millionaire, topped the Billboard charts and was nominated for a Grammy.
Stanky Legg – 2008
First and foremost, the absolute dopest name for any hip-hop party dance move is the GS Boyz' Stanky Legg – aninstruction-heavy dance that involves hair slicking and head rubbing, pulling up your socks and a lean and drop among other suggestions, but most importantly dipping low with one leg out to the side.
The Wobble – 2008
More than living up to predecessors, like the Cha Cha Slide, 'one hit wonder' rapper VIC released The Wobble back in 2008, totally unaware it would absolutely explode. Reworked in cowboy boots in country bars and nightclubs far and wide, the complex line dance became a craze so hot even Beyoncé was seen at a New Jersey block party doing ‘the dance with a bunch of neighborhood kids whilst visiting her mother-in-law.
Head, Shoulders Kneez And Toez – 2008
While the majority of the most famous hip-hop party dances have come from America, East London grime group K.I.G Family came out with a club banger that had us all heading back to the golden years. Clocking up over 7 million views online, the dance had bunches of Brits touching (you guessed it) heads, shoulders, knees and toes.
Migraine Skank – 2009
Taking literal to a whole level, the UK's second heavy hitter on the party dance front comes from Gracious K’s Migraine Skank, a dance which consists of putting one hand on your head and then the other, before rocking side-to-side like you have a migraine. The video racked up co-signs and guest appearances from Chipmunk, Giggs, Trevor Nelson, N Dubz and a load of others all rocking out to the headbanger.
The Dougie – 2010
Since it's release, every race, age, nationality and creed has learned how to do The Dougie. Created and named after old school Harlem rapper Doug E. Fresh, who coined the move during live shows in the '80s with his freestyle dance routines, the Dougie was picked up by Inglewood rap crew Cali Swag District, who put together their rendition in 2010 and hit the party dance big time. Prolific rapper Future even provided the vocals on the hook, and the catchy track had everyone from Michelle Obama to Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian jumping on it.
Gangnam Style – 2012
Amidst the meme madness of '00s party dances, nothing created mass hysteria quite as big as Gangnam Style. Whether you thought it was good or absolutely horrendous, K-Pop star PSY's horse riding, lasso winding dance doozy has had over 3,000,000,000 views on YouTube. Yes, that's three billion!
Twerk – 2014
Christina Milian wound down with Dip it Low, while T-Pain took it one cheek at a time in Booty Wurk and Rihanna, Beyoncé and even Miley Cyrus brought booty bouncing to the masses. No one took the rump shakin, hip-hop sensation Twerking to the jaw-dropping levels that Nicki Minaj did when she revamped Sir Mix-A-Lot's Baby got Back into her track Anaconda, though.
The Dab – 2015
Heated debates continue to rise up over who exactly created Atlanta's internet meme move The Dab. Rich the Kid claims it was him, and both Migos and Skippa Da Flippa back that up, but Lil Wayne has also happily taken credit many a time.
Regardless of which legend is responsible, The Dab (a move that finds you dropping your head down in the opposite direction of arms pointed to the sky) was absolutely massive among it's lengthy list of fans. Dabbers range from Jason Derulo to Hillary Clinton and numerous other politicians, NFL quarterbacks to Manchester United players. Saudi Arabia even banned the dance craze after actors and footballers performed it.
New Freezer – 2017
Teaming up with Kendrick Lamar might have seemed like the biggest thing that would come from young rapper Rich the Kid's track New Freezer, but when three smooth moving kids uploaded a video of them cleaning the kitchen while rocking their heads side-to-side, the 2017 track turned into a viral dance sensation overnight. It ignited the #NewFreezerChallenge and thousands of uploads of people taking on the challenge, including staff and customers getting lit at the Georgia Waffle House below.
The Floss – 2018
Last, but not least a list of the biggest party dances of the past decade couldn't conclude without it's hectic newcomer, The Floss. Invented by 16-year-old Insta-famous dancer The Backpack Kid back in 2016, The Floss didn't take off until Katy Perry invited him on Saturday Night Live and he stole the show – prompting his 1.7 million followers and a string of athletes, school teachers and celebs to follow in his complex steps.
