The Prep Dance: How to Do This 90s Hip Hop Move (Step by Step)

Introduction

The Prep is a classic hip hop dance move that originated in the 90s era but is still widely used in contemporary hip hop choreography. This move is all about mimicking the actions of getting ready or "prepping" to go out. It's a fun and expressive dance that allows you to showcase your personality and groove. With its roots in the golden age of hip hop, the Prep is a must-learn for any hip hop dancer.

Video Demonstration

Dance History of The Prep

The Prep dance move emerged from the vibrant hip hop scene of the 1990s. While its exact origins are unclear, it is believed to have been popularized by dancers and choreographers in major cities like Los Angeles and New York. The move's name and actions are inspired by the routine preparations people go through before leaving their homes, such as checking their appearance in the mirror or brushing off lint from their clothes.

Step By Step Instruction

1. Start with a bounce or groove, bending your knees and keeping your shoulders, arms, and hands loose.

2. Check the mirror: Bring your hands up to your face as if checking your appearance in a mirror, bouncing twice.

3. Brush off: Mimic brushing off lint or dandruff from your shoulders, brushing twice.

4. Clean off: Bend down and brush off any specks or dirt from your jeans, bouncing twice.

5. Bop: Stand up and do a final bop or bounce to complete the move.

Tips For Learning The Prep

• Keep a consistent groove or bounce throughout the move.

• Exaggerate the actions to make them more expressive and entertaining.

• Add your own personal flair or style to the move.

• Practice the move slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed.

• Have fun with it and don't be afraid to show your personality!

Conclusion

The Prep is a classic hip hop dance move that has stood the test of time. Its simple yet expressive actions make it a great addition to any hip hop routine or freestyle session. By mastering the Prep, you'll not only pay homage to the golden era of hip hop but also showcase your groove and personality on the dance floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Prep dance?

The Prep is a 90s hip hop dance move that mimes the actions of getting ready to go out, checking yourself in the mirror, brushing off lint from your shoulders, cleaning dust off your jeans, all performed over a consistent bounce. It's a storytelling dance that leans heavily on personality, attitude, and exaggerated physical gestures rather than technical footwork.

Where did the Prep dance come from?

The Prep emerged from the vibrant hip hop scene of the early 1990s, popularized by dancers and choreographers in LA and New York. The move's name reflects its concept: "prepping" to leave the house. Its exact creator is unknown, it spread organically through music videos, clubs, and freestyle battles during the golden age of hip hop.

What moves make up the Prep?

The Prep has four signature actions performed in sequence over a steady bounce: (1) the mirror check, hands brought up to the face, (2) the shoulder brush, mimicking brushing off lint, (3) the jeans brush, bending to clean off the legs, and (4) the bop, a final upright bounce. Each action is done twice before moving to the next.

How long does it take to learn the Prep?

Most beginners can learn the sequence in 10-15 minutes. Making it look PERFORMATIVE rather than robotic takes 30-60 minutes, the Prep is a character move, so it only works when you exaggerate and commit to the miming. Adding personal flair (facial expressions, timing variations) develops over 1-2 practice sessions.

What's the most common Prep mistake?

Being shy. The Prep is a theatrical move built on exaggerated mime actions, if you do it small and politely, it looks awkward and pointless. Commit fully to each action: really check that imaginary mirror, really brush those shoulders. The bigger you go, the better it looks.

More Hip Hop Dance Moves

If you liked the Prep, these moves share the same personality-driven, mime-style storytelling approach built on a consistent bounce:

• 6 Simple Steps to Learn The Harlem Shake, the Harlem Shake shares the Prep's emphasis on attitude and self-expression over technical precision, both thriving on looseness and individual character rather than exact form.
• How to Do the Roger Rabbit Hip Hop Dance Move, the Roger Rabbit is another character-performance move like the Prep, where exaggerated facial expressions and a theatrical, loose-bodied style are as important as the footwork.
• 5 Easy Steps To Learn The Cabbage Patch Dance, the Cabbage Patch flows naturally before or after the Prep in a freestyle, as both are 80s/90s golden-era moves that communicate personality through arm action and bounce.
• How to Do the Smurf Hip Hop Dance Move, the Smurf shares the Prep's playful, retro-party energy and similarly relies on a steady knee bounce as the base for all its expressive arm movement.