Beyonce is considered one of the greatest performers of all time, with her incredible vocals, stage presence, and of course, her dance moves. Her dynamic dance style has captivated audiences worldwide, and many have been left wondering what her dance style is called.
Origins of Beyonce’s Dance Style
Beyonce’s dance style is heavily influenced by hip hop dance styles like popping and locking. Popping involves rapidly contracting and relaxing one’s muscles to create a sharp movement, whereas in locking, dancers move their limbs in a series of isolated movements that stop and “lock” in place.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce shared that she was heavily inspired by Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Tina Turner. Their signature dance styles, which were heavily influenced by the funk and soul music of the 70s, have played a significant role in shaping Beyonce’s dance style. Her attention to detail and precision, along with her confident and commanding stage presence, have helped her make a name for herself in the music industry.
J-Setting in Beyonce’s Dance Style
Another significant dance style that Beyonce often incorporates in her performances is J-setting – a dance style that originated in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 2000s. J-setting has its roots in the cheerleading world and combines elements of cheerleading, majorette, and hip hop dance styles. In J-setting, dancers move in formation and use high-energy moves like kicks and flicks to create a dynamic performance.
Beyonce’s music videos, like “Single Ladies,” “Crazy in Love,” and “Formation,” feature J-setting-inspired dance routines. These videos have been widely popular, and Beyonce’s fans have been inspired to recreate the moves in their own dance videos.
Beyonce’s Dance Style Evolution
As Beyonce has evolved as an artist, so has her dance style. In recent years, she has been experimenting with different dance styles and incorporating them into her music videos. For example, in “Formation,” she includes African and bounce dance styles. Bounce dancing originated in New Orleans in the 1990s and involves shaking and moving one’s hips and booty vigorously to the beat of the music.
Beyonce’s music video for “Already,” released in 2020, showcased African dance styles like Afrobeat and Azonto. The video, which was shot in several African countries, features dancers dressed in traditional African clothing, performing high-energy choreography inspired by the continent’s various dance styles.
The Impact of Beyonce’s Dance Style
Beyonce’s dance style has not only influenced her fans but also other artists in the music industry. Many aspiring dancers look up to her for inspiration, and her music videos have helped popularize various dance styles.
Beyonce’s emphasis and hard work on her dance style have allowed her to create iconic performances that will continue to inspire and influence the next generation of dancers.
Conclusion
Beyonce’s dance style is an amalgamation of hip hop dance styles like popping and locking, along with J-setting and other dance styles like African and bounce dance. Her dedication and hard work have allowed her to create some of the most iconic performances in history, inspiring aspiring dancers worldwide to emulate her style.