The foundational elements of the hip-hop style were originated by African and Latino Americans in the 1970s. It was at this time that the first breaking, popping and locking dance crews gained notoriety. They included the Electric Boogaloos, the Lockers and the Rock Steady Crew.
Three components mark hip-hop dancing as different from other contemporary forms of dance. One is the improvisational, or "freestyle," approach to the dance. Another is the fact that dance battles often occur in which opponents face off in order to out-dance each other. The third component is the circular or semi-circular arrangement of bystanders in which these dance battles occur. This space is called a "cipher."
Breaking, or b-boying, is considered the purest form of the dance. It includes sub-components such as toprock, which are standing foot-oriented steps; downrock, which are floor-based, foot-oriented steps; freezes; and power moves.
Popping involves quickly contracting and releasing a muscle or groups of muscles in beat to the music. These pops are often used for illusory effects, and some specific patterns have names such as strobing, waving, liquid and animation.
Locking involves the sudden freeze of a move, a distinct pause and then the equally sudden return to movement. Locking involves a longer pause than those used in popping movements.