The “dab dance” – you’ve seen it everywhere, from sports celebrations to viral videos. But What Does Dab Dance Mean? This seemingly simple move has a surprisingly complex origin story, intertwined with hip-hop culture, slang, and even a bit of controversy. Let’s dive into the depths of the dab dance phenomenon to understand its true meaning and cultural impact.
The dab dance emerged from the vibrant Atlanta hip-hop scene, gaining traction around 2012. It’s characterized by a sharp, downward motion of the head while raising one or both arms in the air, often resembling a sneeze or a gesture of nonchalant dismissal. Early mentions and visual examples started popping up, primarily within local rap circles. A YouTube video titled “Dabbin Dance Official Video” surfaced in May 2015, offering an early glimpse into the dance’s emerging form.
However, the dab truly catapulted into the mainstream consciousness thanks to the hip-hop trio Migos. Their 2015 hit song “Look at My Dab” became an anthem for the movement, embedding the term and the dance into popular culture. The lyrics themselves hinted at a multifaceted meaning:
Look at my dab, got me feelin’ like I’m Fab
Look at my dab, spreadin’ dab across the map
I’m dabbin’ when I walk up in the trap
While these lyrics explicitly mention drug references (“trap,” “pot”), Migos also suggested a broader interpretation. They contrasted “dab” with the fading slang term “swag,” indicating a cultural shift and positioning “dab” as the new expression of confidence and style. This idea was further reinforced by Atlanta rapper PeeWee Longway, who, in a 2015 interview, described “dabbin'” as an act of self-assuredness, particularly when showcasing a well-put-together outfit.
When it’s that time to come out and time for [them] to see it on you . . . you got to really come through that even dabbin. . . . When you put your favorite outfit on, you dabbin’ at that moment. . . . It has to be fitted, though. It ain’t for those with the big clothes.—PeeWee Longway, 11 Mar. 2015 interview
Alt text: PeeWee Longway explaining the meaning of “dabbin'” as an expression of confidence related to fashion and personal style.
This “confidence” or “swag” interpretation became central to the dab dance’s meaning. It evolved into a visual representation of self-assurance, a way to express dominance or nonchalant coolness. As Dashel Pierson of The Inertia humorously put it in February 2016: “Emerging out of the Atlanta hip-hop scene, the dab is an expressive sneezing gesture that in some way shows your swagger dominance over all other haters. (Because nothing says “swag” like a sneeze).” Similarly, ATLien from Straight from the A declared in December 2015, “‘Dab’ is supposedly the new ‘Swag’ replacement and ‘Dabbin’ is the dance that signifies your swag dab.”
Urban Dictionary entries from July 2015 onwards reflected this evolving understanding, defining “dab” as “Atlanta lingo for a level of confidence to your swag” and “to give a sharp nod to your raised four arm. Dancing with sharp nods repeated.”
The dab dance transcended its hip-hop roots and exploded into mainstream popularity when Cam Newton, then quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, adopted it as his signature touchdown celebration in 2015. This high-profile adoption exposed the dab to a massive audience, further solidifying its place in popular culture and sparking widespread imitation.
Alt text: Football player Cam Newton performing the dab dance as his touchdown celebration, popularizing the move in mainstream culture.
Interestingly, the term “dab” also has a separate, earlier meaning related to cannabis consumption, referring to the act of inhaling vapors from concentrated THC. While some speculate a connection, suggesting the dance mimics the cough associated with dabbing THC, this theory lacks widespread support. However, considering the slang evolution where drug-related terms often morph into expressions of coolness or confidence (like “dope”), a lexical link isn’t entirely implausible.
Ultimately, what does dab dance mean is multifaceted. It’s a dance move originating from Atlanta hip-hop, a visual representation of confidence and swagger, and a cultural phenomenon popularized by music and sports. While its origins might be debated, its impact on contemporary culture is undeniable. The dab dance serves as a fascinating example of how slang and movement evolve, spread, and take on new meanings in the digital age. As Migos predicted in their hit song, “Dabbin’ goin’ in the dictionary,” and indeed, the various meanings of “dab” were officially recognized and added to the dictionary in October 2021, cementing its place in the lexicon.
