We might have the 1990s to thank for legendary moves like the Running Man and the Rockaway, but it’s the 2000s that delivered the gargantuan party dances that broke the internet. Whether you were twerking like Nicki Minaj or doing The Dab, these party dances stirred up so much hype they’ve had universities, NFL players, waffle houses and even Michelle Obama getting into the groove.
As Red Bull breaker Ami puts it, no matter the dance or participants, every experience brings an opportunity to discover new styles and connect with others also enjoying the rhythm.
“Every place I’ve gone is a new experience and a special one for me always,” she said. “I love meeting new dancers. I still want to visit so many places and experience different scenes and cultures.”
Join us now as we run down the recent party dances that shook millions, from the mad good to the down right stanky.
The Cha Cha Slide – 2000
DJ Casper, also known as Mr. C The Slide Man, recorded the Cha Cha Slide in the late 1990s. Casper originally recorded the song for his nephew’s aerobics class. However, it wasn’t until Casper released the official version in 2000 that the track started gaining serious momentum, with radio stations across the country picking it up and propelling it into the mainstream. The song’s built-in instructions made it an instant hit at parties, school dances, weddings, and corporate events, turning it into a cultural phenomenon.
The Cha Cha Slide’s simple yet catchy steps—like “Slide to the left, slide to the right, crisscross, everybody clap your hands!”—make it accessible to everyone, from seasoned dancers to those with two left feet.
1, 2 Step – 2005
Inspired by Afrika Bambaataa’s old school b-boy track of the same name, Ciara and Missy Elliot teamed up and dropped 1, 2 Step in an Atlanta skating rink back in 2005 and changed the way we’d strut forever. It spawned numerous hip-hop dance tracks and strollin choreography, courtesy of a lengthy list of ATL’s finest, such as Migos’ Walk It Talk It, Rich the Kid’s Plug Walk and one of Andre 3000’s personal favorites, Walk It Out by DJ Unk.
Walk It Out – 2006
This dance deserves more than an honorable mention, but a spotlight of its own. Before the viral crazes of party dances in the 2010s took over, DJ Unk’s Walk It Out was setting dance floors on fire. This Atlanta-bred track, with its irresistible beat and simple command to “walk it out,” quickly became a party anthem, especially in the American South.
DJ Unk’s track didn’t stay confined to the South. It spread nationwide, influencing a slew of remixes and catching the attention of hip-hop legends. The remix featuring André 3000 and rapper Jim Jones brought an extra layer of star power and fresh energy to the song, amplifying its reach and impact.
Crank That (Soulja Boy) – 2007
We’ve all wanted to be a superhero at some point, and back in 2007 burger flippin’ Mississippi rapper Soulja Boy finally made that dream come true with Crank That – a hip-hop track and video that featured Omarion and Bow Wow hopping and stomping side-to-side before flying into the air in what would ultimately become one of the biggest hip-hop dance songs in history. The track made Soulja Boy an overnight millionaire, topped the Billboard charts and was nominated for a Grammy.
Stanky Legg – 2008
First and foremost, the absolute dopest name for any hip-hop party dance move is the GS Boyz’ Stanky Legg, an instruction-heavy dance that involves hair slicking and head rubbing, pulling up your socks, and a lean and drop, among other suggestions. Most importantly, though, is dipping low with one leg out to the side.
The Stanky Legg became a standout dance craze. The combination of quirky moves, like the exaggerated leg dip and the way participants would mimic a stank face, made it instantly recognizable.
The Wobble – 2008
More than living up to predecessors, like the Cha Cha Slide, ‘one hit wonder’ rapper VIC released The Wobble back in 2008, totally unaware it would absolutely explode. Reworked in cowboy boots in country bars and nightclubs far and wide, the complex line dance became a craze so hot, even Beyoncé was seen at a New Jersey block party doing the dance with a bunch of neighborhood kids.
Head, Shoulders Kneez And Toez – 2008
While most famous hip-hop party dances have come from America, East London grime group K.I.G Family came out with a club banger that had us all heading back to the golden years. Clocking up over 7 million views online, the dance had bunches of Brits touching (you guessed it) heads, shoulders, knees, and toes.
Migraine Skank – 2009
Taking literal to a whole level, the UK’s second heavy hitter on the party dance front comes from Gracious K’s Migraine Skank, a dance that consists of putting one hand on your head and then the other, before rocking side-to-side like you have a migraine. The video racked up co-signs and guest appearances from Chipmunk, Giggs, Trevor Nelson, N Dubz and a load of others.
WOP – 2010
When J. Dash first released “Wop” in 2007, he’d created the song for him and his crew to perform their dance routine at parties. The track didn’t originally have a name, but the song quickly caught on with fans, leading to its now popular name, which stands for ”without prejudice.”
The song’s popularity soared so much that J. Dash updated and re-released it in 2010, solidifying the version that people know and love today. The dance, known as The Wop, features a foundational set of arm movements and includes a series of steps that follow commands given in the song.
The Dougie – 2010
Since its release, every race, age, nationality, and creed has learned how to do The Dougie. Created and named after old school Harlem rapper Doug E. Fresh, who coined the move during live shows in the ’80s with his freestyle dance routines, the Dougie was picked up by Inglewood, California rap crew Cali Swag District, who put together their rendition in 2010 and hit the party dance big time. Prolific rapper Future even provided the vocals on the hook, and the catchy track had everyone from Michelle Obama to Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian jumping on it.
Gangnam Style – 2012
Amid the meme madness of ’00s party dances, nothing created mass hysteria quite as big as Gangnam Style. Whether you thought it was good or absolutely horrendous, K-Pop star PSY’s horse riding, lasso winding dance doozy has had over 3 billion views on YouTube.
Twerk – 2014
Christina Milian wound down with Dip it Low, while T-Pain took it one cheek at a time in Booty Wurk and Rihanna, Beyoncé and even Miley Cyrus brought booty bouncing to the masses. No one took the rump shakin, hip-hop sensation Twerking to the jaw-dropping levels that Nicki Minaj did when she revamped Sir Mix-A-Lot’s Baby Got Back into her track Anaconda, though.
Whip/Nae Nae – 2015
In 2015, Atlanta rapper Silentó took the internet by storm with Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), a track that quickly became a viral dance sensation. The song’s hook and accompanying dance moves—whipping your arm forward and then swinging it to the side in a ‘Nae Nae’—made it an instant hit.
The music video, which showcased the simple yet entertaining dance, has racked up more than 1.9 billion views on YouTube and sparked countless social media challenges. What set Watch Me apart was how it effortlessly combined multiple party dances into one track, giving dancers familiar movements to latch onto, from the Dougie to the Stanky Legg.
The Dab – 2015
Heated debates continue to rise up over who exactly created Atlanta’s internet meme move The Dab. Rich the Kid claims it was him, and both Migos and Skippa Da Flippa back that up, but Lil Wayne has also happily taken credit many a time.
Regardless of which legend is responsible, The Dab (a move that finds you dropping your head down in the opposite direction of arms pointed to the sky) was absolutely massive among its lengthy list of fans. Dabbers range from Jason Derulo to Hillary Clinton and numerous other politicians, NFL quarterbacks to Manchester United players. Saudi Arabia even banned the dance craze after actors and footballers performed it.
New Freezer – 2017
Teaming up with Kendrick Lamar might have seemed like the biggest thing that would come from young rapper Rich the Kid’s track New Freezer, but when three smooth- moving kids uploaded a video of them cleaning the kitchen while rocking their heads side-to-side, the 2017 track turned into a viral dance sensation overnight. It ignited the #NewFreezerChallenge and thousands of uploads of people taking on the challenge, including staff and customers getting lit at the Georgia Waffle House below.
Old Town Road – 2019
When Lil Nas X dropped Old Town Road featuring Billy Ray Cyrus in 2019, he sparked a dance revolution that took over the world. Blending country and hip-hop, this chart-topping anthem was built around a sample from a 2008 track by the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails called “34 Ghosts IV.” This element gave Old Town Road an edgy, unconventional twist that set it apart from other hits.
This song inspired a viral dance craze that included a subtle two-step and lassoing gestures. In April 2019, Old Town Road broke the U.S. record for one-week streaming, coming in at 143 million streams. Fans and influencers across platforms like TikTok even created their own moves to match the track’s cowboy swagger.
The Floss – 2018
Last , but not least, a list of the biggest party dances of the past decade couldn’t conclude without its hectic newcomer, The Floss. Invented by 16-year-old IG-famous dancer The Backpack Kid in 2016, The Floss didn’t take off until Katy Perry invited him on Saturday Night Live and he stole the show, prompting his 1.7 million followers and a string of athletes, school teachers, and celebs to follow in his complex steps. Keeping parties alive, one move at a time
Every dance craze has a story, but it’s just the start of the many memories dancers create at parties and spontaneous dance-offs they enjoy with friends and family. These dance moves have shaken dance floors around the world and left an imprint on pop culture. Each step, slide, and whip is a testament to the power of music and movement to bring people together. So keep dancing—the next big move is just a beat away.
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