Styles of Hip Hop Dance

Tutting

Tutting is the name given to the abstract dance style that utilizes the body's ability to create geometric positions and movements predominantly by fixing our joints and limbs into right angles. It is performed with little attention to the musical rhythm, typically by altering positions in a stop-and-go fashion. Although tutting is currently a prevalent style in many dance routines, it is not considered to be a major part of hip hop. It is instead seen as a branch of popping and waving.

Tutting gained popularity during the early 1980's. Within the popping community, dancers woould use the tutting poses while performing routines. One would "hit" one position and then move immediately on the the next, similar to the robot popping routine, only slightly faster. These movements made use of the wrists, elbows, and shoulders to create the desired right angle.

This is a technique that I deeply desire to master. In my opinion, it is one of the most difficult styles to work on. It is does not necessarily require a lot of energy, but it requires much coordination and control of your body. People who are flexible are generally the best at tutting. Honestly, I feel that it is one of those techniques that you either get or you don’t. Some people are talented enough to pick it up easily, and others can work on it for ages (such as myself) and never master it. For months now I have been watching this tutorial to try to learn how to tut, but it just isn’t working out. I hope to one day develop my skills to the point where I can tut because in my opinion, it is one of the most entertaining styles of hip hop when done correctly.

To see an example of how basic tutting looks like, click here.