B-boying, also known as breakdancing, dates back to the early 1970s, gaining its name and fame during DJ Kool Herc's famous Bronx parties. Dancers considered the first B-boys include El Dorado, Sasa, Trixie, Mike and Sista Boo. B-boying is a physically demanding form of dancing, often practiced in the form of a battle between individuals and crews. It blends toprock, footwork, power moves (for "powerful moves") and tricks. Toprock is a stand-up dance, so named for its rocking motion, and involves intricate steps and gestures. Footwork includes two-step, four-step and six-step dance moves as well as other footwork techniques. Power moves -- the gymnastics of B-boying -- include windmills, headspins, turtles, 1990s, flairs and airflairs. Tricks include freezes and freeze combinations. Freezes, or stalls, are moves where the dancer holds her body weight on her hands.
Popping also originated during the early 1970s, but in Fresno, California. Boogaloo Sam is considered the first popper, and he stated that the name came into his head when he was popping his muscles on beat. It involves flexing out the muscles on beat while dancing. Do not confuse it with the robot, or forms of pantomime dancing that existed before popping.
Locking, originally known as Campbell locking, is a form of hip-hop dancing Don Campbell of the Lockers dance group created. It describes the action that a locker undertakes when, he locks himself in position to the beat. The locking motions are complete stops in motion, in contrast to the more relaxed and loose movements employed by popping.
Studio, or new style, hip-hop dancing is a type of dance that groups dancing in synchronicity perform. It is the most mainstream form of hip-hop dancing.