A Look at Modern Moves & Trends.

With every generation comes a whole new era of movement. In their heyday, Baby Boomers did the Twist at prom and the Hustle at disco clubs; we have Generation X to thank for the Running Man, Cabbage Patch, and the Macarena; Millennials made their mark (for better or worse) with everything from the Cha Cha Slide to Twerking.

Enter: Gen Z. Those born between 1997 and 2012 have infused mainstream movement with independent flair, boundless creativity, and an obsession for sharing their freshest steps on social media.

So, how does Gen Z dance? Will their freestyle moves & viral dance challenges leave a lasting impression on the world of dance? Let’s break it down …

The Influence of Social Media on Gen Z Dance Styles

TikTok & Instagram Reels have dominated the social media dance challenge scene since they first surged in popularity during the early 2020s. How do Gen Z dance & use these video-sharing platforms to influence popular culture? Read on.

TikTok and Viral Dance Challenges

Social media dance challenges have become a defining feature of Gen Z culture. Starting in the early 2020s – in large part driven by stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic – TikTok, Instagram, and other social media video platforms allowed users to create, share, and even remix dance videos, leading to the rapid spread of viral dance trends.

Dance challenges usually feature popular “earworm” songs and fairly basic choreography, allowing anyone with a smartphone to learn the steps and participate in the fad. This accessibility has helped make TikTok, in particular, a virtual meeting place for Gen Z – a generation seemingly #OBSESSED with trends & digital engagement! The ability to put a fresh spin on an already viral dance and create one’s own unique version of the trending choreography offers an additional creative component and outlet for Gen Z’s independent energy. Participating in viral TikTok dance challenges also allows this generation to feel a sense of connection, relevancy, and belonging.

As social media dance challenges have surged in popularity, they’ve jumped out of the feed and into broader pop culture. Celebrities and brands have embraced the challenges and further amplified their reach. The viral nature of TikTok dance challenges – complete with one-of-a-kind hashtags – has made them a staple of internet culture, and for Gen Z, participating in a viral challenge offers a shared cultural experience.

Instagram Reels and Dance Trends

Instagram Reels – the platform’s answer to TikTok videos – debuted in August 2020 and quickly became a much-loved alternative for TikTok-style dance challenges. Reels encouraged users to create and post short, engaging dance videos with a library or popular tunes. Reels also empowered influencers and casual IG scrollers to show off their creativity and pushed dance trends to the forefront of feeds. Gen Z jumped on Reels just as quickly as they embraced TikTok, quickly evolving internet & social media culture once again, and delivering even more viral moments. 

Dance crazes on Reels often reflect those trending on TikTok, but aren’t always the same. The success of Reels as an outlet to mix fashion, movement, storytelling, art, and music into a new social video medium fueled its popularity and made it an even more popular place to seek out the latest cultural trends and must-try dance challenges. 

Popular Dance Styles Among Gen Z

Can you name the top 10 dance styles of Gen Z? It’s time to brush up on the most modern moves!

Hip-Hop and Urban Dance Styles

Gen Z has a lot of love for hip-hop and urban dance genres! This generation is intrigued by hip-hop and urban dance in large part by the styles’ rich cultural roots, dynamic energy, and evolving nature. As a generation that holds individuality and authenticity in high regard, Gen Z looks to hip-hop and urban dance as creative outlets for self-expression.

With hip-hop’s focus on rhythm and improvisation, and urban dance’s sense of empowerment through movement, Gen Z appreciates these styles for offering them the ability to tell personal stories through dance. These genres also offer a creative outlet for exploring the complexities of identity through high-energy choreography. TikTok and Instagram have further popularized hip-hop and urban dance styles and reinforced their connection with Gen Z. It’s important to mention that wearing high-top dance sneakers for ankle support is crucial for these kinds of hip-hop dances.

Gen Z is leading an ever-evolving, global cultural conversation by embracing hip-hop and urban dance styles and celebrating the rich history of these genres as they continue to influence and shape modern dance.

Contemporary and Fusion Dance Styles

The appeal of fusion and contemporary dance styles to Gen Z stems from these genres’ versatility and openness to creative freedom and personal expression! Contemporary and fusion dances blend elements of diverse styles, constantly reinventing these movements in new ways. With its emphasis on emotional storytelling, contemporary dance mixes freedom of expression with technique, which resonates with Gen Z’s values. Fusion dance mixes everything from ballet to jazz and likewise appeals to Gen Z’s openness to experimentation. Gen Z thrives on pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and exploring their creative potential. Contemporary and fusion dance provides the perfect outlet for this freedom and self-expression. To enhance their movements and maximize flexibility, dancers in these styles often wear split-sole shoes, which offer improved articulation and support for dynamic footwork.

Freestyle and Improvisation

Freestyle and improv dancing offer a sense of spontaneity and unparalleled freedom that Gen Z craves. Unlike choreographed dances, freestyle and improv dance encourage individuals to respond to the music in real-time and create a one-of-a-kind, truly of-the-moment performance! This complete lack of structure empowers Gen Z to express themselves with unfiltered authenticity, perfectly in step with their vibe at any given time. Improve and freestyle dance are completely unpredictable and constantly evolving. For Gen Z, this uncertainty allows for superior experimentation – a complete creative release. Gen Z frees themselves from expectations when dancing freestyle and improv, and they share that head-to-toe creative freedom on TikTok and Instagram. 

Signature Moves and Trends in Gen Z Dancing

What are the go-to steps for Gen Z? You’re about to find out!

The Role of Simplicity in Viral Choreography

Steps that are relatively easy to perform and choreography that is simple to master over a long weekend are hallmarks of Gen Z dancing, mostly due to the shareable nature of simplistic dances. In order for a TikTok dance to go viral, thousands (if not millions) of amateur dancers need to be able to master the moves, so the simpler the steps, the more likely the dance will catch on and go viral on social media.

Incorporating Humor and Creativity in Dance

If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?! This seems to be Gen Z’s attitude toward dancing, especially when sharing their dance videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels. This generation likes to have a good time and not take their performances too seriously. They often tap into humor while dancing, and are even known to share blooper clips and funny behind-the-scenes moments when they are still in the process of learning viral dance challenges. 

Creativity is paramount to Gen Z dancing. Dance is about expressing oneself, evolving traditions, building on past dance genres and moving them forward, and blending different genres into new styles that are undefinable. 

The Role of Music in Gen Z Dance Trends

Music plays a pivotal role in Gen Z dance trends. Here’s how.

Influence of Pop and Rap Music

Pop music has had a major impact on the way Gen Z dances. Pop is all about hooks, upbeat tempos, and mass appeal – the perfect backdrop for viral choreography. Songs from mega-popular artists like Doja Cat and Billie Eilish quickly became inescapable on TikTok when they were used for viral dance challenges! The positive, uplifting nature of pop music and its catchy lyrics and accessibility make it attractive to Gen Z and their desire to share their videos with the broadest global audience.

Rap music has likewise had a huge influence on Gen Z dance trends. Rap’s bold lyrics, catchy beats, and rhythmic flow are a go-to backdrop for trending choreography. Songs from Gen Z’s favorite rap artists like Cardi B, Travis Scott, and Megan Thee Stallion have gone viral thanks to TikTok dance challenges that turned their hot singles into mega-hits overnight! For Gen Z, rap provides an outlet for both personal creative expression and cultural connection – while celebrating swagger!

How Trending Songs Shape Dance Moves

At this point, we all know the power of the social media algorithm to influence our pop culture diet and amplify certain trends. It’s the nature of the beast – and Gen Z dance trends are no exception. When a song begins to trend on TikTok or Instagram Reels, it starts to be pushed into more and more feeds – and so do the dance moves that accompany it. This direct correlation between popular music and viral social dance videos shows just how important both elements are to a new generation of creative expression: start developing choreo for the right tune, and you might just become the next worldwide dance superstar!

How Gen Z Redefines Dance Spaces

The world is Gen Z’s stage: here’s why.

Digital Platforms as Dance Stages

Gen Z has reinvented the dance floor by merging digital platforms with movement, thereby transforming how and where dance takes place. A physical stage is no longer necessary – nor is a club or dance studio. Gen Z’s stage is TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube: an inclusive performance space where anyone can showcase their steps. The digital stage has made dance more accessible and fueled the creator and influencer industries: anyone, anywhere, can be a dance phenomenon if they’ve got the talent and the Wifi connection! The ability to remix dances in a matter of minutes, and then share that new choreography with the entire world has democratized dance, transcending geographic and social boundaries not only for Gen Z, but for all generations.

The Rise of Virtual Dance Communities

We can thank Gen Z for the emergence of online dance communities. The inclusive generation has embraced social media platforms as creative spaces for authentic connection, carving out places for anyone and everyone to find their niche creative family. Gen Z’s obsession with digital engagement – especially on TikTok and Instagram – has accelerated the development of communities that foster a sense of belonging and collaboration that is constantly in motion. Through dance tutorials, hashtags, and dance challenges, these online studios remix, recreate, and reinvent constantly, making dance culture an ever-evolving experience for the digital age, and shaping an even more accepting, diverse future for the global dance community.

Gen Z’s Emphasis on Inclusivity in Dance

The generation that’s redefining inclusivity likewise stands up for individuality, authenticity, and unparalleled acceptance in the world of creative movement.

Breaking Traditional Dance Norms

Gen Z is all about breaking barriers and redefining norms. Moving the needle isn’t always easy, but when it comes to dance, this generation is turning tradition inside out and upside down. By embracing fusion, contemporary, and improvisational dance styles, and performing to diverse types of music, Gen Z is throwing out the rules and dancing to the beat of their own drum – on TikTok and Reels, and IRL. Out with the old, in with the BOLD Gen Z attitude!

Encouraging Participation Regardless of Skill Level

All are welcome to participate in the Gen Z TikTok dance challenges. From Boomers to babies, you’ll find a never-before-witnessed variety of ages and experience levels in the new social dance world, thanks to Gen Z. You don’t need to be a pro to learn a viral dance challenge – you just need the desire to get on your feet and move! Messing up is half the fun, and no one is turned away from posting their version of a dance challenge. Gen Z’s inclusive attitude has opened the door for anyone, anywhere, with any level of talent (or lack thereof) to participate – and to benefit from the physical activity and creative release of dancing.

When it comes to lasting cultural impact, Gen Z has no doubt made one of its greatest contributions in the sphere of dance. From their social media-friendly choreography to their unmatched freedom of expression, to their truly inclusive embrace of all genres of movement & all levels of experience, Gen Z continues to influence the greater cultural conversation about dance and movement and transform the world of dance – one viral TikTok challenge at a time.