You may have seen lyrical hip hop on shows like вЂњSo You Think You Can DanceвЂќ or вЂњAmericaвЂ™s Best Dance Crew.вЂќ Still not sure what it is? DS has got the exclusive, all-access breakdown of this popular style! Plus, theyвЂ™re more familiar with its pretty melodies than rough rap beats. Lyrical hip hopвЂ™s contemporary roots are closer to their training than street dance. And jazz and ballet dancers find it to be a smoother transition to hip hop. вЂњWhen I put myself in the song and dance out how it makes me feel, my musicality and overall performance is better!вЂќ says Aimee, who credits lyrical hip hop with helping her become more animated so sheвЂ™s not just moving for movementвЂ™s sake.ДЇor dancers like Aimee who want to do commercial work, lyrical hip hop is a must. The choreography, a mix of robotic isolations, hard stops, dramatic collapses and floppy bounces, is tailored to bring the songвЂ™s message (itвЂ™s too late for forgiveness) to life. However, the DвЂ™umos instruct her to stop thinking and start feeling.

Eighteen-year-old L.A.-native Aimee Winston, who assists teachers like the DвЂ™umos, Kevin Maher and Tony Testa, concentrates on learning the steps. The DвЂ™umos are in the midst of teaching a lyrical hip-hop combination to вЂњApologize.вЂќ by OneRepublic. Put emotion behind it! Tabitha and Napoleon DвЂ™umo say to a room of Monsters of Hip Hop convention-goers.

Lyrical dance