The connection between Lindy Hop and Hip Hop runs deeper than most people think. Though they are from different eras and musical styles, they share powerful cultural, historical, and artistic links.
This is what ChatGPT says about the connections (pretty impressive):
Lindy Hop was born in Harlem in the 1920s–1930s, developed by Black dancers at the Savoy Ballroom.
Hip Hop originated in the 1970s Bronx, created by Black and Latinx youth as a response to social and economic challenges.
Both are expressions of Black culture and creativity in response to oppression, segregation, and systemic inequality.
Lindy Hop and Hip Hop are street dances rooted in community spaces rather than elite studios.
Both styles value personal expression, improvisation, and rhythm.
They are both social dances—designed to be done with or among others, not just for performance.
Lindy Hop: Emphasizes “jazz improvisation,” call-and-response, and playful musical interpretation.
Hip Hop: Encourages freestyling, cyphers, and responsiveness to beats and breaks.
Both dances are deeply musical, with movement driven by rhythm and syncopation.
Lindy Hop had “jam circles” where dancers showcased their best moves, not unlike Hip Hop cyphers and battles.
The spirit of showmanship, collaboration, and competition is strong in both.
Both dances emerged as forms of resistance and resilience in marginalized communities.
They offer a sense of identity, pride, and power through movement.
Both have been commercialized, but their core spirit remains rooted in community and resistance.
Many Hip Hop dancers cite jazz dance and swing as part of their foundation.
Some movement vocabulary overlaps: body isolations, grounded movement, and groove.
Lindy Hop can be seen as part of the ancestral line of street dance, influencing funk styles and eventually Hip Hop.
Lindy Hop walked so Hip Hop could run.
Both are joyful, rebellious, expressive forms of street culture created by Black communities in New York, and both continue to inspire and uplift around the world.
Teacher: Jeanne.
No previous experience needed.
Date and time: 5 August 2025. 19.30-20.30
Location: Jam Circle – Hague Hoppers studio, Herengracht 13, The Hague
€12.00
