Dance crazes have always been a big part of pop culture, and over the past decade, we have seen some truly iconic moves take over dance floors all around the world. From viral TikTok challenges to catchy songs that come with their own signature dances, there is no denying that dance has played a huge role in shaping music trends in recent years.
One of the most memorable dance crazes of the past decade was the Harlem Shake. Originating in 2013, this viral dance craze involved individuals dancing to Baauer’s song “Harlem Shake” in a humorous and exaggerated manner. The dance quickly went viral, with people from all walks of life uploading their own versions of the dance online. What made the Harlem Shake so unique was its simplicity – participants only needed 30 seconds to showcase their best dance moves in a silly and carefree manner.
Another dance craze that took the world by storm was the “Whip/Nae Nae” dance. Popularized by the song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento, this dance involved a series of swaying and whipping motions that quickly became a sensation on social media platforms like Vine and Instagram. The song’s simple lyrics and catchy beat made it easy for people of all ages to join in on the fun, and soon enough, everyone was doing the Whip/Nae Nae dance at parties, weddings, and even in public spaces.
In 2015, the song “Lean On” by Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ spawned its own dance craze that took over dance floors worldwide. The dance, which involved a series of fluid and rhythmic movements to the song’s infectious beat, quickly became a favorite among dance enthusiasts and choreographers. The music video for “Lean On” also featured some impressive dance sequences that further solidified the song’s reputation as a dance craze.
One of the most recent dance crazes to take the world by storm is the “Renegade” dance. Popularized by TikTok star Jalaiah Harmon in late 2019, this dance involves a series of intricate hand movements and footwork set to the song “Lottery” by K Camp. The Renegade dance quickly became a viral sensation on TikTok, with millions of users trying to replicate Jalaiah’s moves and add their own unique twists to the dance. The Renegade dance has since been performed by celebrities, professional dancers, and even sports teams, cementing its status as one of the most popular dance crazes of the past decade.
On the other hand, the “Floss” dance also gained massive popularity in recent years. This dance craze involves rapidly swinging one’s arms from side to side while twisting their hips in a rhythmic motion. The Floss dance became a popular challenge on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, with celebrities and influencers taking part in the trend. The dance’s quirky and energetic movements made it a favorite among young people and children, who would often showcase their best Floss moves in front of their friends and family.
In addition to individual dance crazes, there have been several songs in the past decade that have come with their own signature dances. For example, the song “Gangnam Style” by South Korean artist Psy spawned a dance craze of its own in 2012. The viral music video featured Psy performing a series of comical dance moves, including the iconic “horse-riding” dance that quickly became synonymous with the song. “Gangnam Style” went on to become one of the most-watched videos on YouTube and inspired countless parodies and cover dances by fans around the world.
Similarly, the song “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber also gave rise to its own dance craze in 2017. The infectious beat and catchy lyrics of the song inspired fans to create dance routines that incorporated elements of Latin dance styles like salsa and reggaeton. The music video for “Despacito” also featured some impressive choreography that further fueled the dance craze and helped the song become a global sensation.
Overall, the past decade has seen a wide variety of dance crazes that have captivated audiences and inspired people to get up and move. Whether it’s the Harlem Shake, the Whip/Nae Nae, the Renegade, or the Floss, these dance crazes have brought people together through the universal language of dance. As we look ahead to the future, it will be exciting to see what new dance crazes emerge in the coming years and how they continue to shape popular culture and music trends. One thing is for certain – dance will always be a powerful force that brings joy, unity, and creativity to people of all ages and backgrounds.
