The 2000s were the fun years of hip-hop. At the dawn of the new millennium, hip-hop began to branch out to the younger generation of artists and with it, the evolution of dances started to form, again. Many hip-hop artists of the era introduced dances that are still popular to this day.

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The sound of the Blog Era was heavily influenced by electronic and indie rock music, with artists incorporating a wide range of unconventional instruments and production techniques into their music.  For hip-hop dance, the Blog Era brought on prominent dance styles like  “jerkin’,” which originated in Southern California and quickly gained popularity throughout the hip-hop community.

2009/2010: The Jerk/Reject

“The Jerk” and “The Reject” are two popular hip-hop dance moves that originated on the West Coast of the United States. The New Boyz helped this dance craze become a phenomenon with their hit song, “You’re A Jerk”.

2009: Swag Surf

The Swag Surf came in like wildfire and took over college campuses all over the world. A college party was not complete without Swag Surf being played at least once. Fast Life Yungstaz knew they had a hit on their hands with this one. 

The “Swag Surfin’” dance and song have since become a cultural phenomenon, with many people embracing the positive energy and sense of community that comes with the dance.

2008: Wobble

Another line dance that came and took over is “The Wobble.” The Wobble was created by rapper V.I.C. 

 2008: Bird Walk

The Bird Walk was released in 2008 by Soulja Boy. This helped to solidify him as a pioneer in the genre of “internet rap.”

2008: The Stanky Legg & The Booty Dew

The GS Boyz from Texas released their hit song  “Stanky Legg” in 2008. During their time in the  spotlight, they also released “Booty Dew.” However, it did not make an impact like the Stanky Legg.

2007: My Dougie

“My Dougie” is a hip-hop single by rapper Lil Will, released in 2007. The song became a popular hit and inspired a dance craze known as the “Dougie.”

2007: Do The Ricky Bobby 

The Ricky Bobby came a few years after the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  The “Ricky Bobby” dance is a reference to a scene from the 2006 comedy film starring Will Ferrell. 

In the scene, Ferrell’s character, a NASCAR driver named Ricky Bobby, performs a hilarious dance while wearing a pair of tighty-whities.

2007: Pop, Lock & Drop It 

The dance that tested the strength of the knees of girls all over the world way before Megan Thee Stallion. “Pop, Lock & Drop It” is a 2007 hip-hop single by rapper Huey. 

The song was a commercial success and became a popular party anthem, inspiring a dance craze known as the “Pop, Lock & Drop It” dance. The dance is often associated with the St. Louis hip-hop scene.

2007: Crank That (Soulja Boy)

“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” is a 2007 hip-hop single by rapper Soulja Boy. The song was a viral hit and became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a dance craze known as the “Soulja Boy” dance. 

This sparked a frenzy of various “Crank That” dances throughout the nation but they just couldn’t stick like the original. 

2006: Chicken Noodle Soup 

The Chicken Noodle Soup dance is a popular dance that originated in Harlem, New York City, in the early 2000s. It became famous in 2006 with the release of the song “Chicken Noodle Soup” by DJ Webstar featuring Young B.

2006: The Snap Dance & Lean With It Rock, With It

The Snap Dance and “Lean with It, Rock With It” are two separate dances, but they are often associated with each other due to their similar styles and the fact that they both became popular around the same time in the mid-2000s.

The Snap Dance, also known as Snap Music, originated in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 2000s and was popularized by artists such as the hip-hop group D4L. 

“Lean With It, Rock With It” is a dance that was created by Atlanta-based rap group Dem Franchize Boyz in 2006. The dance is typically performed in a group setting, with dancers facing each other and moving in unison. 

2006: Walk It Out 

DJ Unk released his hit song “Walk It Out” in 2006. This song is what popularized the dance “Walk It Out” also known as the “Poole Palace.” This dance originated in Atlanta. 

This era was a transitional period in hip-hop, which was marked by the emergence of new sub-genres such as crunk, snap, and Southern hip-hop, as well as the increasing popularity of mainstream hip-hop artists like 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, and OutKast.

At the dawn of the new millennium dances that rose to popularity in the mid-to-late 1990s continued to keep the party going. Those dances  included:

2003: The Chicken Head

The Chicken Head dance continued to be a popular dance craze in the early 2000s, it originated in the Midwest—specifically in St. Louis, Missouri area.  It was also associated with the 1993 hip-hop song, “Chickenhead” by Project Pat featuring La Chat and Three 6 Mafia, which continued to be popular well beyond its initial release, particularly during the mid-2000s. 

Its continued popularity during this time is likely due to the song and dance becoming a classic party anthem, particularly in Southern hip-hop and club scenes. The catchy hook, memorable lyrics, and danceable beat of the song made it a staple of party playlists and club DJs for years after its initial release.

2000: The Crip Walk (The C-Walk)

The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk has been around since the 1970s but became popularized in 1998 and into the early 2000s. Snoop Dogg is perhaps the most well-known artist associated with the Crip Walk. 

2000: The Bankhead Bounce

The Bankhead Bounce is a dance that has been attributed to originating in the Bankhead neighborhood of Atlanta in the early 2000s. Though popularized by Atlanta-based hip-hop artists such as D4L, Dem Franchize Boyz, and Lil Jon,  the dance originated through a song named “Wassup Wassup” by A-Town Players’ rapper L. “Diamond” Atkins, featuring D-Roc, released in 1995.

Every time the beat drops … the party is still poppin’, and every party for the last five decades has introduced new dance styles and moves. Here’s a look back on dances before 2000.