Afro American Dance Forms – Dynamism and Diverse Class of Energy & Entertainment

Love to dance? Inspired by famous ‘Black Dance Forms’ dancers like Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Ebony Williams, Misty Copeland, Jacob Artist, Rhapsody James, Debbie Allen and more? Want to become a dancer in contemporary or traditional African, Caribbean or Afro-American forms? Want to train in dance forms pertaining to African-American or Caribbean, either as a hobby or to become a professional?

Whatever be the reason, there ‘Black Community’ dance forms have come a long way and become a way of entertainment and life of people, from across the globe.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul”

“Dance is the way to connect, unleash your divine rhythm”

Dance is more than just a rhythmic movement of your body – It is a culture, an expression of you, a source of energy.

While there are several dance forms, spread across the continents, each having their unique identity and following, Afro-American, or more precisely ‘Black’ dance forms have carved a niche for itself in the world, having grown, evolved, transforming into a full-fledged culture of its own.

Traditional African and Afro-American Dance Forms

The ‘Black’ dance forms we see today can be attributed to the traditional African dance and slave dances of West Indies’ plantation societies. The origin can be traced back to the tribal dance forms of the Africa, along with slave dances of Caribbean nations, stretching all the way to slave dances in America, evolving through the Harlem social dances of 1920s, Broadway musicals, and then to the popular Jazz, Hip-Hop and the modern dance forms. As everywhere, dance forms was a social practice to come together, enjoy, have fun and represent their way of life, which is something rooted deep in today’s dance evolutions as well.

Main Genres of ‘Black Dance’

There are different dance schools, or categories that we can distinguish and reflect on when it comes to ‘Black’ dance forms:

African dance is a whole culture in its own, depicting each dance styles from different countries and regions, spreading across Africa. Referring mainly to the Sub-Saharan Africa, the musical styles and movements reflect multi-dimensional approach & cultural differences. Relating closely with the Bantu cultivation of rhythm and Sub-Saharan African music traditions, the African dance resonates around the social function and ceremonial celebrations pertaining to seasons, recreations, passage of life, sex, and weddings. Some of the popular dance styles include the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug, and the Twist.

Full of energy and high octane movements, is what this dance form is all about. An amalgamation of the dance styles, originating and evolving in nations comprising the West Indies regions, the dance is all about vibrant music and moves. Drawing on African traditions and rhythms, as well as blending the art of popular slave dance art of the plantation regions; the dance style is a fast one with a flair of sensuality added to it. Some of the popular dance genres devising from Caribbean region are Charleston and Cakewalk, along with Bomba, Merengue, Bachata, and more.

Somewhat, the most modern and contemporary out of all ‘Black Dance’ forms, this is one genre that has mixed bags of artistic skills, techniques, influences and impressions from all types of traditional African and Caribbean dance forms, combined with newness and improvised invention of its own.

This dance style is a reflection of the everyday spaces of people’s lives, rather than being a distinguishing figure of schools or studios. It is centered on social dance, folk dance with a complementary addition of performance dance that makes it a complete package, an aspect suitable for both traditional dance lover to modern-style fanatic.

Harlem was one dance genre that has had a big influence on African-American dance style evolution, along with attribution from African traditional dance, Caribbean slave dance, Deep South American dance, the popular contemporary Jazz music dance, hip-hop dance, and varied other cultural form influences; all cultivating to give a dance style focusing on social paradigm.

Popular Afro-American Dance Styles

Corresponding to the dance genres, there have been several dance styles that have evolved, grown, and in context made a mark on its own to reflect a different flair and panache in the ‘Black’ dance form.

Originating from Nigeria, this particular dance style has been shaking up the dance and music industry, especially since the 90’s. This dance developed in the 60’s and 70’s with influences from American Jazz, Funk music, along with infusions from west-African Fuji Music and Highlife. The performance focus is on percussion, traversing rhythms and chanted vocals.

This dance form also originated in the 1970’s and draws the core of it from the African diaspora. A popular Jamaican dance style in present times, it has grown from a sparse version of Reggae initially to more of a African choreographed dance style. This is a cohesive mixture of dance, music, fashion and community, giving it an altogether complete meaning and practice.

This dance and music style also has its roots in Jamaica, and developed way back in 1960’s. It is a kind of raggedy style of music and dance. The earlier Reggae dance was more of a ballroom dancing with partners’ bodies touching or in close proximity, making hip movements in rhythm. The contemporary Reggae dance is more relative to the present hip-hop or pop dancing.

In simple words, trap music dance can be characterized as a form of dance where you move and dance preferring your own style, ion rhythm to the high-pitch or hip-hop music. It is more of a less-choreographed dance form, trapping into your own routine, mixing hip-hop techniques and other styles, within a heavy use of music including sharp snare drums, 808 drums, and so.

Calypso dance originated in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago and makes heavy use of steel drums in the music, along with movement of waist and hips to a 2/4 beat in the dance.

This dance style also developed in Trinidad and Tobago and can be considered a contemporary version of Calypso. It is heavily influenced by many different dance flairs, that include Afrobeats, Reggae and calypso. Thus, a diverse form of dance, Soca dance focuses on light words and heavy beats.

Afro-Latino & Afro–Caribbean (Kizomba, Afro-Cubana, Reggaeton, Boombata and Bachata)
A combination and blend of stylistic, sensual, energetic, passionate and soft sounds originated and a combination of the African, Caribbean and Spanish Latino cultures, music and traditions. The steps, rhythms and sounds have travelled far and wide, exciting audiences globally.

Kizomba - This extremely beautiful and sensual dance is an explosive and contagious style, which conquered the world in recent years as a catchy melody and a dance which seduces our souls. Kizomba is for many of the Latin dancers a breath of fresh air, bringing something new and exciting. Perfect for first time dancers, due to its calm and softness. Kizomba music springs from the tradition of semba in Angola, and takes inspiration from other African music forms as well as Caribbean Zouk. Kizomba was born on 1979-1984.

Salsa – This vibrant, energetic swinging movements was inflamed by an intense beat—originated in the 1960s as a blending of Cuban mambo and jazz infused with choreographic and stylistic imprints from Puerto Rico. In Colombia and Venezuela, salsa gave expression and identity to the marginalized barrios of urban centers. Salsa dancers constantly manipulate and vary steps to create new ones, and competition becomes part of the fun. Salsa has broken ethnic barriers and class to become a stamp of Latino pride globally. It is now considered a world beat, a variety of music and dance performed throughout the world.

Reggaeton - is a music style which originated in Puerto Rico during the late 1990s. It has evolved from dancehall and has been influenced by American hip hop, Latin American and Caribbean music. Reggaeton is regarded as one of the most popular music genres in the Spanish Caribbean. Over the past decade, the genre has seen increased popularity across Latin America, as well as acceptance within mainstream music.

Apart from these, there are many more, including Disco, Popping, Locking, Moonwalk, Crip Walk, Chicago Stepping, Turfing and more,  representing the class of Afro-American dance style since ages, up to the contemporary times.

“Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.” George Bernard Shaw

And we do certainly believe in helping bringing the fine art of African and Afro-American dance out to the world. Whether you love dancing, performing in front of people or want to gain the finest experience of ‘Black’ community dance form presentations, VIPSocio has it all covered for you.

Dance classes, dance shows, dance competitions – We bring you all, at one place.