The Evolution of Hip-Hop Dance, From Popping and Locking to TikToking

Between 1975 and 1976, Boogaloo Sam created popping — a dance that combines flowing movements with rigid, robotic movements creating a stop-motion illusion in the body — in Fresno, CA, according to Red Bull. After seeing a performance by The Lockers, he was inspired to create his own hip-hop dance style. Drawing inspiration from Chubby Checker, James Brown, and cartoons, Boogaloo Sam actualized this new form of movement. In 1977, he founded his own crew, the Electric Boogaloos.

Notable moves from the popping genre include the Boogaloo (created by Boogaloo Sam), botting, dime stop, gliding, and popping. Boogaloo Sam's musicality and deep understanding of movement made him an influential figure in early hip-hop on the West Coast, and he continues to dance and teach today.