Butterfly Dance: How to Do the 90s Hip Hop Move (Step by Step)

Perfecting the Hip Hop Butterfly Dance

The Butterfly dance move is an iconic staple within the hip hop dance realm that captures the essence of the '90s groove. It sends dancers gliding with elegance and flow, reminiscent of the gentle creature it’s named after. This rhythmic wave of motion not only adds a dynamic flair to any routine but also serves as an excellent way to add a touch of nostalgia to your dance repertoire. Embrace the freedom and grace as we break down the enchanting steps of the Butterfly and learn how to incorporate this mesmerizing move into your dance arsenal.

Video Demonstration

Dance History of The Butterfly

The Butterfly dance move wafted into the hip hop scene in the 1990s, capturing the fluid, expressive nature of that era's music and dance culture. While there's no single identified originator, it quickly spread across clubs and dance floors, popularized by music videos and party-goers who were drawn to its playful and accessible style. The Butterfly resonated with the vibrant energy of hip-hop during this time, becoming an enduring symbol of the period's creative spirit.

While the Butterfly found its fame in the hip hop circles of the 1990s, it shares this kinship with the Caribbean rhythms, reflective of a diverse blend of musical influence. When dancing to the Butterfly, the potential for Reggae-inspired improvisation adds another layer of richness to this dynamic move, showing how hip hop often meshes distinct cultural beats into a unified expression of dance.

Step By Step Instruction

1. Starting Position: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Lower Body Movement: Shift your weight to the balls of your feet. Bend your knees slightly and sway them inwards towards each other, then outwards, creating a fluid in-and-out motion.

3. Upper Body Synchronization: As your knees come together, lean your torso slightly forward. As your knees move outwards, bring your torso back up to a neutral position.

4. Rhythm and Flow: Keep the movement continuous to mimic the natural rhythm of a butterfly’s wings. The upper and lower body should move harmoniously, and the tempo should match the beat of the music.

5. Final Touch: Add your personal flair by incorporating hand gestures or varying the intensity and speed of your movements.

Here is a great tutorial from

on how to do the butterfly dance.

Tips For Learning The Butterfly

• Begin practicing slowly, focusing on the coordination of your knees and the corresponding torso movements.

• Mirror practice can be highly beneficial for visual learners to maintain the symmetry of the Butterfly's "wings."

• To avoid strain, ensure you warm up your knees and legs before attempting full tempo.

• Match the rhythm and let it guide your movement, focusing on smooth motion rather than precision.

Conclusion

The Butterfly transcends time to remain a beloved part of hip hop dance culture. This move, with its smooth, wavelike motions, teaches dancers the importance of interpretation, coordination, and flow within a routine. Like the delicate dance of its namesake, the Butterfly move enriches the dance floor with a touch of grace and nostalgia, making it a timeless hip hop feature that anyone can enjoy and master.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Butterfly dance?

The Butterfly is a 1990s hip hop and dancehall-influenced dance move built on a rhythmic knee-wave motion, knees sway inward then outward in a continuous fluid pattern, synchronized with an upper-body lean that mimics a butterfly's wings. It's a classic 90s party floor move, equally at home in hip hop clubs and reggae/dancehall settings.

Where did the Butterfly dance come from?

The Butterfly emerged in the 1990s from the cross-pollination of hip hop and Jamaican dancehall cultures. It spread through dancehall clubs in the Caribbean and NYC before crossing over to mainstream hip hop via music videos and party culture. No single creator is credited, it grew organically from the reggae/dancehall tradition that emphasizes knee and hip isolation.

Is the Butterfly dance from dancehall or hip hop?

Both. The Butterfly is a shared move between hip hop and dancehall culture, its knee-driven wave motion is rooted in Jamaican dance tradition, but it was also embraced and popularized in 90s hip hop clubs and music videos. The move works interchangeably in both genres, making it a natural bridge between the two scenes.

How long does it take to learn the Butterfly?

Most beginners can get the basic in-and-out knee motion in 5-10 minutes. Adding the upper-body sync and matching it to music takes 20-30 minutes. Making it look fluid and effortless, the defining quality of the Butterfly, takes a few practice sessions. Warm up your knees first; this move can strain cold joints.

What's the most common Butterfly mistake?

Forgetting the torso. The Butterfly looks hollow when only the knees move, the upper body has to lean forward when the knees come in and return upright when they go out. That torso motion is what sells the "wings" illusion. Sync the torso to the knees on every repetition.

More Hip Hop Dance Moves

If you liked the Butterfly, these moves share the same 90s lower-body wave motion and knee-driven groove:

• 5 Easy Steps to Learn The Bankhead Bounce, the Bankhead Bounce uses the same bent-knee rhythmic bounce as the Butterfly's foundation, and both moves invite personal flair on top of a simple lower-body pulse.
• 4 Easy Tips For The BK Bounce, the BK Bounce's side-step dip and hip tilt share the Butterfly's emphasis on fluid hip and knee coordination rather than sharp footwork.
• How to Do the Heel Toe Hip Hop Dance Move, both the Butterfly and Heel Toe rely on smooth weight shifts between the balls of the feet and heels to create a continuous gliding illusion.
• House Dance | Loose Leg, the Loose Leg's heel-toe rocking motion operates on the same continuous, wavelike lower-body mechanic that makes the Butterfly feel fluid and effortless.