Hip hop dance classes have seen an incredible surge in popularity over the last decade at dance studios worldwide. From energetic six-year-olds to enthusiastic adults, people of all ages are drawn to the vibrant rhythms and expressive movements of hip hop. However, instructors often face a common challenge: finding fun, age-appropriate hip hop music that resonates with students without relying on mainstream radio hits often filled with mature themes.
Navigating the world of hip hop music to curate a clean and engaging playlist for dance classes can feel daunting. Many popular songs contain explicit lyrics or themes unsuitable for younger audiences. Fortunately, with a little digging and the right strategies, it’s entirely possible to build an exciting Hip Hop Dance Music collection that’s both appropriate and inspiring for students of all ages. Here are some proven methods to discover fantastic, clean hip hop tracks for your next dance class.
1. Go Old School for Timeless Hip Hop Vibes
Sometimes, the best solutions are found by looking back. “Old school” hip hop, while considered vintage by today’s younger generations, offers a treasure trove of upbeat and lyrically cleaner tracks perfect for younger classes. These songs often prioritize fun, rhythm, and danceability, making them ideal for introducing children to the genre’s foundational elements.
Students in hip hop dance class learning choreography
While it’s always wise to give a quick listen to even older songs to confirm lyrical appropriateness, many classics from the late 20th and early 21st centuries are excellent choices. Consider these “old school” gems to inject energy and nostalgia into your younger students’ hip hop dance experience:
- “Shake It” – Aaron Carter: A catchy and undeniably fun pop-hip hop track that’s pure, youthful energy.
- “Let’s Get It Started” – Black Eyed Peas: An iconic anthem with an infectious beat that instantly motivates movement.
- “U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer: A quintessential hip hop track with a memorable groove and playful vibe.
- “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice: Another instantly recognizable hit, perfect for getting everyone hyped up and moving.
- “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” – Michael Jackson: While technically pop, this track has strong hip hop influences and is irresistibly danceable for all ages.
2. Explore Young Hip Hop Artists and Tween Pop Sensations
Contemporary mainstream hip hop often caters to adult audiences, but a vibrant scene of younger artists and crossover tween/teen pop stars offers a wealth of age-appropriate options. These artists, often coming from platforms like Disney or Nickelodeon, create music that’s designed to be fun and relatable for younger demographics, ensuring lyrical content stays clean and positive.
Look for artists who specifically target younger audiences or those who gained popularity through family-friendly media. These performers understand the need for appropriate content and often deliver catchy hip hop-infused pop that’s perfect for dance classes. Consider these artists and songs:
- Lil’ Romeo: Known for his early 2000s hits, Lil’ Romeo provides upbeat and youthful hip hop tracks.
- Willow Smith: Blending pop and hip hop elements, Willow Smith’s earlier music is age-appropriate and creatively engaging.
- China Anne McClain (from A.N.T. Farm): Disney Channel stars often release music, and McClain’s tracks often have a fun, hip hop-pop crossover feel.
- Keke Palmer: Another multi-talented artist who started young, Palmer’s music can offer upbeat and clean hip hop-inspired sounds.
- “Lip Gloss” – Lil’ Mama: A playful and iconic track from the mid-2000s that’s energetic and lyrically suitable.
- “My Baby” – Lil’ Romeo: A classic early 2000s track that’s upbeat and appropriate for younger dancers.
- “Countdown” – Victorious: Soundtracks from teen shows like Victorious often feature pop and hip hop influenced songs perfect for classes.
- “We Belong to the Music (feat. Miley Cyrus)” – Timbaland: A collaboration that blends Timbaland’s hip hop beats with Miley Cyrus’s pop vocals, resulting in a clean and energetic track.
3. Dive into Movie Soundtracks for Dance-Focused Beats
Dance movies are a goldmine for finding high-energy, instrumental, and vocally-driven hip hop tracks specifically designed for movement. Soundtracks from films centered around dance naturally prioritize music that inspires and complements choreography, making them an excellent resource for dance class playlists.
Still from a dance movie showcasing hip hop dance moves
The Step Up movie franchise, in particular, is renowned for its incredible soundtracks packed with hip hop, R&B, and pop tracks perfect for dance classes. Beyond Step Up, explore soundtracks from other dance-centric films for diverse and exciting hip hop dance music:
- Step Up Soundtracks (1-4 and beyond): The entire Step Up series offers a vast library of high-quality hip hop and dance music.
- Honey 2 Soundtrack: Another film focused on dance, offering similar high-energy tracks.
- “Take It to the Floor” – You Got Served: An iconic dance movie track with an undeniable hip hop beat.
- “Best Friends” – Bratz Soundtrack: While Bratz is aimed at a younger audience, the soundtrack features some surprisingly catchy and danceable hip hop-inspired tracks.
- “Do Your Thing” – Basement Jaxx: Often featured in dance movies, Basement Jaxx offers unique and energetic electronic-infused hip hop.
4. Consider Christian Hip Hop for Uplifting and Positive Messages
Christian hip hop provides a fantastic alternative for instructors seeking music with positive and uplifting messages without compromising on the genre’s signature beats and rhythms. This genre focuses on faith-based themes, ensuring lyrics are clean and often inspirational, making it ideal for dance classes in faith-based studios or for instructors who prefer music with positive lyrical content.
Websites like holyhiphop.com are excellent resources for discovering Christian hip hop artists and music. Explore these artists to infuse your classes with positive energy and strong beats:
- Group 1 Crew: Known for their upbeat and pop-infused Christian hip hop sound.
- Grits: Pioneers in Christian hip hop, offering a range of styles from soulful to high-energy tracks.
- KJ-52: A veteran Christian hip hop artist with a diverse catalog of music.
- Lecrae: One of the most successful Christian hip hop artists, known for his lyrical depth and strong beats.
- “Movin’” – Group 1 Crew: An energetic and positive track perfect for getting students moving.
- “Turn It Up” – Grits: A powerful and uplifting song with a strong hip hop vibe.
- “Brand New Day” – KJ-52: An optimistic and upbeat track with a positive message.
- “Make Some Noise” – Krystal Meyers (Rock/Pop with Hip Hop elements): While Meyers is more pop/rock, this track has hip hop elements and is very energetic and clean.
- “Let It Roll” – Group 1 Crew: Another high-energy track from Group 1 Crew that’s great for dance.
5. Utilize Instrumentals for Creative Freedom and Lyric-Free Beats
Instrumental hip hop tracks are an invaluable resource for dance instructors. By removing vocals entirely, you eliminate any concerns about lyrical content and open up creative possibilities. Instrumental tracks allow students to focus purely on the rhythm and movement, and they offer instructors the flexibility to create unique mixes and choreographies without being tied to specific lyrical themes.
Look for instrumental versions of popular hip hop songs, drumline-style music, or explore artists known for their instrumental hip hop productions. Consider these instrumental artists and tracks:
- deadmau5 (Instrumental Electronic with Hip Hop influence): While electronic, deadmau5’s instrumental tracks often have rhythmic complexities that work well for hip hop dance.
- Nuttin’ But Stringz: A duo that blends classical violin with hip hop beats, creating unique and engaging instrumental tracks.
- Black Violin: Similar to Nuttin’ But Stringz, Black Violin fuses classical strings with hip hop and R&B rhythms for dynamic instrumentals.
- Young Mozart (Classical Remixes with Hip Hop Beats): Artists who remix classical music with hip hop beats can create sophisticated and interesting instrumental tracks.
- “Levels” – Avicii (Instrumental): While originally electronic, the instrumental version of “Levels” (famously sampled by Flo Rida) is highly rhythmic and danceable.
- “Dirty Orchestra” – Black Violin: A great example of Black Violin’s fusion of classical and hip hop.
- “Ghosts N Stuff” – deadmau5 (Instrumental): Another iconic instrumental track from deadmau5 suitable for energetic movement.
- Karaoke Versions of Hip Hop Songs (Instrumental): Searching for “karaoke instrumental” versions of popular clean hip hop songs can yield great results.
Bonus Tip: Embrace Fun Novelty Tracks and Remixes
Don’t be afraid to incorporate fun, novelty tracks or remixes into your hip hop dance playlists, especially for younger classes. These songs can add a playful element and keep things lighthearted and entertaining. Consider kid-friendly remixes of popular songs or tracks specifically designed for children’s activities.
- “Hokey Pokey” – The Puppies (Hip Hop Remix): A fun hip hop take on a classic kids’ song.
- “Everybody Jam Along” – Jammy Jams: Music specifically designed for children’s movement and dance.
- “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” – Disney Mania 4 (Hip Hop Remix): Disney Mania albums often feature hip hop-infused remixes of classic Disney songs.
- “Super Cali (BoiOB Version)” – Disney Mania 4 (Hip Hop Remix): Another Disney classic given a hip hop makeover.
- “HipHop-O-Potamus” – MeeWee: A novelty song specifically about hip hop in a kid-friendly way.
- The Chipettes Remixes: If you can handle the high-pitched voices, Chipettes remixes of popular songs can be surprisingly fun and energetic.
- “Throw Your Hands Up” – Jump5: A Christian pop group with some upbeat and danceable tracks suitable for younger audiences.
Finding age-appropriate hip hop dance music requires some effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By utilizing these strategies and exploring these diverse categories, you can curate exciting and engaging playlists that will keep your students motivated, energized, and moving to the beat of hip hop – without compromising on age-appropriateness. Happy dancing!
