For those of us who came of age during the explosion of disco, the word “hustle” conjures up instant images of flashing lights, mirrored balls, and the infectious rhythms that defined an era. Before it was neatly categorized and counted, Hustle Dance was simply the dance. It was a cultural phenomenon, ignited by the electrifying energy of films like Saturday Night Fever and the televised dance battles of Dance Fever. For many, like myself, watching these shows was the first dance lesson, a self-taught immersion into a world of partner movement that would prove to be surprisingly enduring.
Initially, the nuances of counts and styles were completely lost on me. Absorbing it all through the screen, I intuitively picked up what was mostly 3-count hustle, though the finer distinctions between 3-count and 6-count remained a mystery. Today, witnessing hustle dance thriving in studios, with classes encompassing both 4-count and 3-count variations, brings a sense of nostalgic familiarity. Beginner classes wisely start with the foundational 4-count, while mixed and intermediate levels often transition to the faster-paced 3-count, sometimes even blending the two within a single session. The counting itself, often extending to six counts in instruction, can still add to the initial confusion for newcomers, echoing my own early bewilderment.
However, stepping outside the studio and into contemporary nightlife reveals a shift in the dance landscape. Where dance is featured, salsa often reigns supreme. It dominates the dance advertising and events, seemingly having carved out a lasting niche in the partner dance world.
Observing the generational trends, a curious pattern emerges. My own millennial housemate, while appreciative of many cultural forms, displays little inclination towards partner dancing. While anecdotal, this observation aligns with a broader impression. Attending weekly ballroom events, I see the subsequent salsa crowd arrive, and they appear to be primarily composed of early millennials, perhaps the last generation to fully embrace the salsa wave. It seems that late millennials and Gen Z haven’t found a partner dance style to call their own in the same way.
It’s unlikely that the specific count of hustle – whether 3 or 4 – is the barrier to entry for younger generations. The core issue seems to be the absence of a powerful pop culture catalyst. To truly reignite the hustle’s popularity, a cultural resurgence is needed. Imagine a modern reimagining of Saturday Night Fever, starring contemporary icons like Channing Tatum or Derek Hough. Enlist today’s chart-topping music artists – Selena Gomez, Elle Goulding, Sam Harris – to create a soundtrack that captures the same infectious energy for a new generation. This kind of high-profile reboot could be the spark that reintroduces hustle dance to the cultural forefront, inspiring a new wave of dancers to discover its timeless appeal.
