Introduction
Digital dance trends have taken the world by storm. Nowadays, we can’t imagine a party without a dancefloor, and thanks to technology, we aren’t restricted by the same music video dance routines. From the popularity of music videos on VHS to the latest viral TikTok dance challenges, this article explores the evolution of digital dance trends.
Music Videos on VHS
Long before the days of the internet, we had VHS tapes. Music videos on VHS were all the rage in the 80s and 90s. Who didn’t own a copy of Michael Jackson’s Thriller? The VHS tape made it easy for fans to learn the dance routine and show off their moves at parties. Suddenly, everyone was trying to moonwalk like MJ. The VHS tape also allowed fans to pause and rewind the video to learn the choreography, something previously impossible.
Gangnam Style
Fast forward to 2012, and we have the arrival of Gangnam Style, a quirky K-pop song produced by Psy. It went viral and became the first-ever video to reach one billion views on YouTube. The song’s video features Psy’s famous horse dance, which spawned a viral dance craze, with people around the world showing off their versions of the routine. There were even flash mobs organized in multiple cities, all performing the dance routine. The popularity of Gangnam Style signaled the start of music videos and dance challenges going viral.
The Harlem Shake
In 2013, Baauer’s song “Harlem Shake” went viral, accompanied by a unique dance craze. The challenge was simple – dance to the song in a group, but at the 15-second mark, the video would cut to everyone getting wild and crazy, often in costume. Suddenly, anyone with a camera and an idea could create their own version of the Harlem Shake, and it became one of the most popular dance challenges of all time.
Vine
Vine is often credited as the platform where the short-form dance challenge first gained popularity. Vine was the first social media platform to allow users to upload short-form videos, and people quickly started using it to share dance challenges. The 6-second time limit spurred creators to come up with innovative, sometimes humorous dance routines to share with their followers.
TikTok
Fast forward to 2020, and we have TikTok. TikTok is a social media app that allows users to create and share videos with dance challenges. The app’s algorithm is designed to promote popular videos, often leading to viral dance challenges. TikTok made viral dance crazes more accessible than ever before, as everyone could now easily join in the fun. Notable TikTok dance challenges include the “Renegade” dance and the “Savage” dance, among many others.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, digital dance trends have come a long way from the VHS tapes of the 80s and 90s to the present day, where everyone can participate using TikTok. Though viral dance challenges may come and go, there’s no denying their electrifying popularity. Whether you’re hokey-pokeying in a 90s living room or copying the latest viral TikTok dance, digital dance trends will always be a part of our culture, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. So, join the trend. Embrace digital dance and post your own viral dance challenge. Who knows? You could be the next TikTok sensation!
