Line dancing in the Black community traces back to African traditions, where dance served as a way to tell stories, pass down history and unite people. Enslaved Africans in America continued these traditions, using dance as a form of resistance, self-expression and cultural preservation.
Black line dancing remains a cherished part of our social fabric, a way to break the ice, uplift spirits and reinforce community bonds. To celebrate this legacy, here’s a look at some of the most iconic line dances that have kept us moving over the years:
The Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper (2000)
Chicago legend DJ Casper, the creator behind the beloved “Cha Cha Slide.”DJ Casper created this dance with simple, direct instructions, making it a staple at parties and school functions. He created the dance for his nephew, David Wilson, who was a fitness trainer at Bally Total Fitness in Chicago.
The Electric Slide – Marcia Griffiths (1996)
The “Electric Slide,” a line dance craze in the ’90s, originated in ’70s Jamaica. It was written by Bunny Wailer (of Bob Marley’s reggae group The Wailers) in 1976. It gained popularity when Marcia Griffiths covered it in 1982, bringing it to the top of the Jamaican charts.
The Wobble – V.I.C. (2008)
Victor Grimmy Owusu, better known by his stage name V.I.C., is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. “Wobble” is the second single by rapper V.I.C from his debut album Beast.
It’s a high-energy dance with plenty of room for freestyling, “Wobble” became a massive hit thanks to its simple steps and club-friendly beat.
Jerusalema – Master KG feat. Nomcebo (2019)
After a video from an Angolan dance studio went viral in February 2020, the South African song Jerusalema became well-known. Jerusalema became a pan-African pop anthem because of the video, which included their choreography. It also started a dance competition that went viral. With more than 420 million performances posted to TikTok, hashtags like #jerusalemachallenge and #jerusalema contributed to the song’s increased popularity.
The Cupid Shuffle – Cupid (2007)
“Cupid Shuffle” was created by Bryson Bernard, who goes by the stage name Cupid. The song was released in 2007 on Cupid’s album Time for a Change. The song reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in August 2007.
The song has been featured in several movies, including Jumping the Broom (2011), Step Up 2: The Streets, P.S. I Love You, and Nancy Drew.
Candy Dance – Cameo (1986)
This one song has the unending potential to bring Black people together—a song that has the unique ability to bring all Black folk together. That tune is Cameo’s “Candy.” It’s the second single from Cameo’s album Word Up!, released in 1986. Many musicians have sampled the song, including 2PAC, Will Smith and Mariah Carey. This smooth and stylish dance remains a classic at Black celebrations, from weddings to HBCU homecomings.
Boots on the Ground – 803 Fresh (2024)
Douglas Furtick a.k.a. 803 Fresh was born in Augusta Georgia. He took the nation by storm with his viral hit “Boots On Ground.” Hurry to the dance floor and get your cowboy hats, boots and fans ready. It’s already an anthem.
Flex – Cupid (2021)
Cupid, a musician from Lafayette, Louisiana, created the line dance “Flex” and is known as “The Line Dance King.” Cupid created the popular line dance “Cupid Shuffle.” In 2008, Cupid broke the Guinness World Record for the largest line dance with over 17,000 people at Ebony’s Black Family Reunion Tour in Atlanta. Cupid’s music has been featured in the films Step Up 2: The Streets, P.S. I Love You, Nancy Drew, and Jumping the Broom. Another hit from Cupid, “Flex” brings a fresh twist to line dancing with intricate steps and a smooth groove.
Can’t Get Enough – Tamia (2022)
Tamia and NBA legend Grant Hill, inspired by a YouTube video of line dancing to her 2006 song “Can’t Get Enough of You,” decided to learn the dance. Their daughter recorded the couple’s “Tamia Line Dance” on their 23rd wedding anniversary in 2022. The video gained attention, highlighting the decades-long pastime of line dancing in Black communities, which has been celebrated in various events such as weddings, family reunions and backyard hangs.
