- African and Caribbean Dances: Hip hop dance originates from African American and Latino/a/x communities, drawing from traditional dances such as breaking, popping, locking, and more.
- James Brown: The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, brought distinctive dance moves to the spotlight, inspiring many hip hop dancers.
- George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic: Funk music stars like George Clinton and his bands inspired unique movements that merged with hip hop.
- Rock Steady Crew: A legendary breakdance crew from the Bronx in the 1970s, widely considered pioneers in the genre.
- Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's iconic dance style and videos were influential in hip hop and pop culture worldwide.
- Afrika Bambaataa: Bambaataa is a DJ, rapper, and cultural icon who helped lay the foundation for hip hop as a genre and culture.
- Run DMC: The rap trio Run DMC, along with their DJ Jam Master Jay, brought hip hop to a global stage and influenced dance styles.
- Kool Herc: Known as the Father of Hip Hop, Kool Herc's DJ innovations inspired breaking (or breakdance).
- Doug E. Fresh: Fresh popularized the "Electric Slide" dance craze and was renowned for his intricate, acrobatic moves.
- Missy Elliott: A trailblazer in hip hop music and dance, Missy Elliott's innovative choreographies pushed artistic boundaries.
- B-Girl Rock Steady Crew's Break Girls: The first all-female breakdancing group, they broke gender stereotypes in the male-dominated breakdance scene.
- Afrika Bambataa's Zulu Nation: A collective of artists, DJs, and dancers, Zulu Nation disseminated hip hop culture throughout the world.
- Krumping and Crip Walking: Street dances that emerged from Los Angeles influenced hip hop dance trends.
- The Soul Train Line: The dance showcase program "Soul Train" had a significant impact on African American dance culture and hip hop.
- The Original Lockers: They introduced the popular "Locking" dance style in the 1970s, characterized by intricate steps, rhythmic movements, and freezing (locking).
These individuals and movements have played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of hip hop dance and its vibrant, multi-faceted artistic expression.