Hip hop dancer: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hip hop dancer is

A hip hop dancer or crew performs choreographed hip hop routines at events, concerts and parties, bringing energy and a strong set of moves. People book one for birthdays, school events, corporate parties and festivals when they want a high energy dance number that gets the crowd moving.

Signs you need it

  • You want a high energy dance number that gets a crowd cheering
  • You want a choreographed routine that matches a particular song or theme
  • You are planning a party, a concert or a school event that needs a featured act
  • You want dancers who can also invite guests to join a simple routine
  • You want a show for a young crowd or a teen audience
  • You want a crew that can perform on a stage or on a dance floor

What the pro does

  • Asks about the event, the music you want, the length of the set and the stage or floor
  • Choreographs a routine that matches the song and the space
  • Arrives early to check the floor, the stage and the sound system
  • Performs the routine at the times agreed, with any changes for the crowd
  • Invites guests into a simple move or a short group routine if that was planned
  • Packs up costumes and clears the area

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of dancers in the crew and whether the crew needs a choreographer
  • Length of the performance and the number of routines
  • Whether the routine is set to a song the crew must edit or mix
  • Stage size, floor type and whether the crew needs a mat or a dance floor
  • How many dancers the stage or floor can safely hold
  • Costume detail and any props or lighting cues
  • Whether the crew teaches a routine to guests

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of dancers and the number of routines
  • Song or music plan, and who edits or provides the track
  • Stage or floor needs, including any mat or dance floor required
  • Costume, props and lighting cues included in the booking
  • Setup, rehearsal and teardown times
  • What happens if a dancer cannot attend

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How many dancers will perform, and will the same dancers attend the date?
  • Can you choreograph a routine to my song, and how long does it take?
  • What floor and stage do you need, and do you bring a mat?
  • Can I see a video of a routine at a live event?
  • Do you teach a routine to guests, and how many guests can join?
  • What is your plan if one dancer is sick on the day?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers the dancers and the audience?

Red flags

  • They cannot show a video of a live routine at an event
  • They do not ask about the floor or the stage they will dance on
  • They promise a custom routine with no time to choreograph it
  • They plan to use a floor that is unsafe, slippery or uneven with no plan
  • They will not confirm the number of dancers who will attend in writing

What you can do yourself

You can pick the song, the mood and the moment for the routine. You can also check the floor for slippery spots and clear space for the dancers. Hire a dance crew for the choreography, the rehearsal and the performance, since a strong routine with a clean finish takes practice and a suitable floor.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for a hip hop dancer or crew, so ask for proof of liability insurance and references from similar events instead. Venues often handle public performance licensing for recorded music, so confirm with the venue who covers it and check local noise rules with your state or local licensing agency.

Hip hop dancer questions

Does a hip hop crew need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask for insurance and references, and check with the venue about music licensing and noise rules.

Can the crew teach a routine to guests?

Many can. Ask how many guests can join, how long the lesson takes and whether it is included in the price.

Do I need to provide a dance floor?

Ask the crew whether it needs a mat or a sprung floor. Confirm the floor type with the venue, and check the surface for slips before the performance.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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