Beyonce Knowles is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is one of the best performers of her generation, known for her high-energy and complex dance moves. Her powerful style has been influenced by various dance forms, but Beyonce is most recognized for her hip-hop style, which includes a combination of locking, popping, and J-setting. In this blog post, we explore the dance style of Beyonce in more detail.
The Early Days
Beyonce’s early style can be traced back to her days as a member of Destiny’s Child. Her dance moves were primarily composed of traditional R&B and hip-hop. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, hip-hop was becoming mainstream and the genre was beginning to develop into a more complex dance form. It was around this point that Beyonce started blending various styles, creating a unique style that was both visually dynamic and physically demanding.
The Influence of Hip-Hop
Beyonce has always been an avid lover of hip-hop music and incorporates it into her dance style. The genre has its roots in African American culture and came to prominence in the 1980s. It is characterized by a complex blend of dance styles including popping, locking, and breaking. Beyonce’s style has all of these elements, but she takes it further with a combination of other styles such as J-setting.
Locking and Popping Dance Styles
Locking and popping are two distinct dance styles that are often combined in hip-hop dance routines. Locking is characterised by sharp, angular movements that are executed in time with the beat. Popping, on the other hand, consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles in quick succession, creating a sharp movement that looks like a sudden jerk. Beyonce has incorporated both styles into her routines, making her performances visually arresting and fast-paced.
J-Setting
J-Setting is a style of dance that originated in the southern United States. It’s characterized by its fast footwork and arm movements that are sharp and precise. The movements are often performed in a tight formation, usually by a group of dancers. The J-setting style is believed to have originated in the 1990s and has since been popularized by college dance teams across the USA. Beyonce has infused elements of J-Setting in her performances, most notably in her Single Ladies song.
The Queen of Performance Dance
Beyonce has established herself as one of the best performers of her time, known for her high-energy and intricate dance routines. Her style is characterized by a combination of hip-hop, J-setting, locking, and popping, making her performance dynamic and energetic. She has also been credited with popularizing various dance styles among the mainstream audience, including J-setting. Among her notable performances include “Crazy in Love,” “Single Ladies,” and “Formation.”
Conclusion
Beyonce’s dance style is a unique combination of several styles, but it is her mastery of hip-hop, J-setting, locking, and popping that makes her performances so compelling. She is a trendsetter and has popularized various dance styles among the mainstream audience. From her early days in Destiny’s child to her current solo career, Beyonce has established herself as the queen of performance dance.
