Dance is one of the most important elements of hip hop, and for good reason! It’s almost impossible to resist the genre’s recognizable intros, thumping baselines, and iconic lines. Here’s a list of some of the best hip hop dance songs to get everyone at your next party up and moving.
1. Get Low – Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz Featuring Ying Yang Twins
Perhaps, the quintessential hip hop dance song, Get Low is instantly recognizable and features iconic lyrics that even appear in other tracks years later. It’s nearly impossible for anyone to hear “To the window…” without thinking “…to the wall!”
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2. In Da Club – 50 Cent
Go shawty, it’s your birthday! In Da Club topped the charts and even placed number 13 on Rolling Stone’s Best Songs of The Decade. As the most-listened-to track of 2003, it’s hard to dispute its spot as an iconic club track and one that surely gets us going.
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3. Low – Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain
Singularly responsible for apple-bottom jeans and furry boots becoming a fashion statement, Low turned out to be the longest-running number-one song of 2008. It’s a fantastic way to start a dance party as the intro gives everyone plenty of time to make their way to the floor.
4. Smack That – Akon Featuring Eminem
The best hip hop dance songs are the ones that make you wanna shake that thing all over and the 2006 release of Smack That achieved just that. Eventually, Akon convinced Eminem to feature on the track, giving us a club banger with a heater verse from Slim Shady to cap it off.
5. Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy
What else can set a hip hop song apart other than iconic lyrics and a good beat? When the track comes with its own dance moves of course! In 2008, the 19-year-old Soulja Boy released a song that became one of the biggest dance fads ever. A viral YouTube tutorial video had everyone cranking back and forth. It’s easy to learn, so you can get some shy dancers to get into it.
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6. Teach Me How To Dougie – Cali Swag District
In the same vein as Crank That, Cali Swag District released Teach Me How To Dougie in the spring of 2010. It’s got a catchy chorus and comes with a super easy dance. The song claims it’s a good way to get attention without being the center of attention.
7. Laffy Taffy – D4L
Twerking might be one of the newest ways to refer to shaking your rear in hip hop, but it’s nowhere near the first. Laffy Taffy debuted in 2005 and reached the top of the Billboard Top 100 in 2006. It’s a great addition to any hip hop party playlist.
8. Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg Featuring Pharrell Williams
As one of the most popular rap songs of the decade and featuring one of the most iconic figures in hip hop, Drop It Like It’s Hot’s 2004 release shot Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams up the charts. The down-tempo single is a great change-up to some of the harder-hitting hip hop beats but is still perfect for getting in the groove.
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9. Stanky Legg – GS Boyz
Talk about a song made for the dance floor! Stanky Legg was released in 2008 as the debut single for GS Boyz. The dance is just a little bit of a crouch and a circular motion of an outstretched leg, making it easy to pick up and even easier to bust out if you’re in the middle of the floor. It was even used as a goal celebration dance by US Men’s Soccer players at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
10. Shots – LMFAO Featuring Lil Jon
Shots was the third single released from LMFAO’s first album, Party Rock. Featuring an electronic style and Lil Jon belting out the chorus, it quickly became a go-to drinking and party song with bar patrons yelling “Shots shots shots shots shots.” In a totally expected turn, the track was later used to help convince people to get vaccinated during the pandemic.
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11. Walk It Out – Unk
Unk’s single from his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block! surged up the charts in 2006. It took a while to catch on, but once it did, everyone was walking it out in the clubs. Later versions would go on to add verses by Outkast and Jim Jones.
12. Yeah! – Usher Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
As iconic as Yeah! became, it almost never happened. Usher submitted Confessions, his fourth studio album, in 2004 and was told none of the songs on it seemed like a good lead single, so he had to record more tracks. After enlisting the help of Lil Jon and adding Ludacris to the track, Yeah! topped the charts for 12 consecutive weeks before being overtaken by Burn, another song from the same album.
13. Hotline Bling – Drake
Hotline Bling features some deep instrumentals, and if you listen closely, you can really feel the emotion pouring out of Drake as he laments how his ex treated him. While it might sound like a downer, this 2015 single comes with a memey dance that is sure to get a few laughs and lift everyone’s (except Drake’s) mood.
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14. Anaconda – Nicki Minaj
Drawing on the iconic Sir Mix-A-Lot’s Baby Got Back, Anaconda by Nicki Minaj is one of those songs that might get stuck in our heads for days at a time. We love the catchy beat and the untold number of memes, remixes, and references it spawned online. It’s still a great track to get up and dance to, even if we end up laughing during it.
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15. Party Like A Rock Star – Shop Boyz
Got a group of friends that are more metalhead than hip hop head? Just play Party Like A Rock Star by Shop Boyz. The group’s debut commercial release became insanely popular in 2007 and references prominent rock figures like Queen, Kiss, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. To put it mildly, the song goes hard.
16. U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer
Sometimes, even middle-aged dads need a good hip hop song to dance to. It would be near blasphemy to put this list together and not include U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer. An iconic dance and catchy lyrics made the 1989 song into something that still gets referenced to this day. Bonus points if you can actually do the Hammer Dance.
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17. Turn Down For What? – DJ Snake And Lil Jon
One of the best party tracks of 2013 is also one of the best dance songs to play during a night in or out. DJ Snake’s Turn Down For What featuring Lil Jon peaked at number four on the Billboard Top 100 charts and became a banger of a protest song for everyone fed up with everything.
18. It’s Goin’ Down – Yung Joc Featuring Nitti
Sometimes, a braggadocious rap song is just the thing to get us up on our feet and moving. It’s Goin’ Down was the debut track of Yung Joc. In 2006, it was hard to miss it blasting from almost every car on the road.
19. You’re A Jerk – New Boyz
Jerk might be a street dance from LA, but it received national aplomb when You’re A Jerk was released in 2009. It’s the perfect “F-you” song that introduced a new dance style that took over clubs for the rest of the year.
20. Lose Control – Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara And Fat Man Scoop
We can’t make any list of the best hip hop anything without at least one Missy Elliot track. As the lead single of The Cookbook, the whole song is about how music can make us feel and make us lose control of our bodies.
21. Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) – Silentó
Silentó exploded onto the hip hop scene with his 2015 debut single Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae). The song featured its own dance that combined two of the most popular moves at the time, the whip and the nae nae. The routine also incorporated moves from Crank That and Stanky Legg.
22. Milly Rock – 2 Milly
The Milly Rock Dance can be summed up as an erratic, militant dance. The song blew up in 2015 after prominent celebrities picked it up, catapulting Milly Rock up the charts and into our hearts.
23. Hot In Herre – Nelly
Nelly’s 2002 banger Hot In Herre was also his first chart-topper. The intimate lyrics are all about trying to make the best of a crowded situation, though it’s more likely to get the ladies to dance rather than actually take off their clothes.
24. Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It – Dem Franchize Boyz
Lean With It, Rock Wit It introduced snap music to the general public and had people rocking with it until the early hours of the morning. It got so popular that there’s a mashup version of the song where Dem Franchize Boyz and Korn collaborated to create Coming Undone Wit It.
25. Pop, Lock & Drop It – Huey
Looking for an irresistible song to call people to the dance floor? Throw on Pop, Lock & Drop It. The 2006 release comes with its own dance moves featuring some simple and fun hip gyrations.
26. Candy Shop – 50 Cent Featuring Olivia
We all knew 50 Cent would be on the list more than once. Candy Shop is a sensual club banger that can serve as a great song to throw on in the bedroom and on the dance floor. According to 50 Cent, he intended to be as sexual as possible without being vulgar or obscene.
27. Hey Ya! – Outkast
The 2003 release of Hey Ya! combined electro, funk, hip hop, and folk rock, which gave us a unique track that easily ranks as one of the most popular songs in history. It’s a funky-fresh and fast track that does a great job of getting our blood going.
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28. Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot
Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt! We can’t mention Anaconda without throwing in the song that inspired it. Baby Got Back is full of catchy lyrics lauding curvy women and comes with some pounding beats to throw down on the dance floor.
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29. My Drink N’ My 2 Step – Cassidy Featuring Swizz Beatz
If you’re looking for a simple song to throw back a few drinks and dance you need to queue up My Drink N’ My 2 Step. Colorful autotune, simple dances, and full of good vibes, this track is an easy choice for a dance party.
30. Gas Pedal – Sage The Gemini Featuring IamSu
The 2013 release Gas Pedal is one of those songs that proves you can get people to dance by calling out moves if you put them on the right beat. Just grab the wall and wiggle like you’re trying to make your butt fall off.
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31. I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) – Jay-Z
As big a name as Jay-Z is, his first number-one song was the 2000 release of I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me). The playful, upbeat track may have been inspired by real-life events, but it’s also a smooth groove to throw on in the club. The song went on to inspire Britney Spears to release I’m A Slave 4 U the year after its release.
32. No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame Featuring Wale And Roscoe Dash
Get everyone dancing so well it’ll put you in a trance by playing No Hands. Each verse features a slight change in pacing and style, making the song a slapping collaboration between Waka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, and Wale. While it may be questionable if the track is referring to dancing with no hands or something else, its 2013 release is what really catapulted Waka Flocka Flame into the national spotlight.
33. Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’) – T-Pain Featuring Yung Joc
Club bangers and great hip hop dance songs go hand in hand, and Buy You A Drink (Shawty Snappin’) is no exception. The jerky, electric beat pairs up perfectly with T-Pain’s autotuned lyrics, and the intro is an instant queue to get out of your seat. The track is also the perfect opportunity to go ask that girl if she wants a drink.
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34. Stronger – Kanye West
Stronger is one of those songs that just fit into every category. It’s a solid gym workout song, can cheer you up and instill a bit of confidence, and even pops as rave music. Kanye West’s release took the number-one spot on the charts for only a week, but only because of how popular Crank That was at the time.
35. Shake Ya Ass – Mystikal
Also known by its “clean” title Shake It Fast, Shake Ya Ass was released to rave reviews in 2000. It’s been featured in film and television in The Hot Chick, Everybody Hates Chris, and Scary Movie 2.
36. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C+C Music Factory
Look, if you didn’t recognize the song by the title, we won’t blame you, but we know you’ve heard it before. The iconic intro blaring out “everybody dance now” is followed up by a beat that’ll have you punching the air and throwing out quick moves like you’ve never seen before. The 1990 song is one of the best and most well-known dance tracks of all time.
37. A Bay Bay – Hurricane Chris
The 2007 debut single for Hurricane Chris, A Bay Bay, took him all the way to number seven on the Top 100 charts. It’s one that will have you hollering the lyrics and maybe even hollering at some hunnies while you’re at it.
38. Rack City – Tyga
Rack City’s beat has the same effect that Gas Pedal does, it makes you want to get up and move. The super-low bass plays on repeat and reaches deep into your chest. There are numerous remixes of the song, all featuring additional verses from other big hip hop names.
39. How Low – Ludacris
Another song with a lot of remixes that will get you shaking your groove thing is the 2009 hit How Low by Ludacris. The music video is, well, ludicrous, spreading a rumor that if you drop low enough to the floor while looking in the mirror, Ludacris will appear in the room and start rapping. Maybe give it a try next time and see if he shows up.
40. The Way You Move – Outkast Featuring Sleepy Brown
The Way You Move was released from Big Boi’s half of Outkast’s Speakerboxxx album, while Hey Ya! came out of Andre 3000’s. In 2004, it even dethroned Hey Ya! for the number-one spot on the charts.
41. Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton
A true fist-pumping banger of a dance song, Can’t Hold Us is one that just gets you jumping out of your skin. Originally released in 2011, the track gained attention in 2012 and 2013, eventually becoming Spotify’s most-streamed song of 2013.
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.