WATCH: Top 5 Nigerian legendary dances you must know

Africans love to dance, it is somewhere in our blood. Therefore, we will discuss the top 5 Nigerian legendary dances you must know.

Many African artists know this, therefore, they are always making songs for the hottest dance, or – for the more creative ones. Creating a new dance move for fans to rock to and increase the shelf life of their songs.

More importantly, over the years, numerous dance steps have been introduced by various artists but very few have actually gone viral and rocked the dance floors. Some of these dance steps were not invented by Nigerian artists, but the moment they crossed into our airwaves, we made them our own and created mad jamz around them.

We have checked, and these are the top 5 Nigerian legendary dances you must know.

1. Azonto Dance

Arguably, this is one of the dance fever that took Nigeria by storm since the near end of 2011. This dance originated from Ghana but was made popular here in Nigeria by our indigenous creative artist Wizkid and then, Fuse ODG.

It is one communicative and expressive dance that lets you express what you have in mind while dancing to the music. It starts with one or two-step movements and involves knee bending and hip movements, just like most African dances.

Now, it has evolved from the basic moves to maiming to actions such as washing, ironing of clothes, boxing, praying, swimming and others. It is a very amusing and creative dance that allows you to create your dance pattern.

2. Suo Dance

Suo dance is a Nigerian dance and also a ghetto dance that was hot in the late nineties but its reign didn’t last long. The dance was created and made popular by two artists Mountain Black and Mad Melon on their hit single ‘Danfo Driver’.

However, it is in our top 5because of the rave it created during the late nineties.

3 Galala Dance

No doubt, galala dance is probably the official dance move for the ghetto community here in Nigeria. It was promoted by musicians who were brought up there. Artists such as Burna Boy, Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo and Oritse Femi have helped make this dance popular.

Galala dance involves the legs being moved backwards with hands forward. Some people appointed Daddy Showkey as the creator of the dance, others say it is Father U-turn. The song is synonymous with Nigerian Reggae Music.

4. Alanta Dance

This is an original dance move from Nigeria. It started out in 2007 in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos. The dance became popular when Artquake released it in a music video ‘Alanta’.

Like most African dance, it requires vigorous movements of the hands, hips and legs. The pattern of the dance expresses a movement as if one is fanning flames while raising one leg.

The dance portrays the humour and creativity of the Nigerian people. Artists like Timaya, TuFace Idibia, Terry G aided in making this dance move popular.

5. Etighi Dance

Etighi dance was brought from the South-South part of Nigeria. The move requires the hips to be carried up and alternated in the right and left direction. You can mix it with the Azonto dance as they both require the same movement.

‘Kukere’ song, released in March 2012, by Iyanya made the dance move popular. Other artists have released music videos with the dance move but Iyanya’s Kukere is the most recognized one.

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However, there are other popular dances moves too we may not mention, these top 5 Nigerian legendary dances you must know is just what we believe are the top out of the popular dance step that period. They are generated based on popularity and longevity.

Here is a quick list of the ones we might have not mentioned in the aforementioned list

• Makossa
• Yahooze
• Shakiti Bobo Dance
• Shoki Dance

Among the list above, Shoki seems to last longer and is loved by almost everyone as it seems to match every beat. it became popular in June 2014 when the track ‘Shoki’ was released by Lil Kesh.

Though there has been a dispute between Lil Kesh and Orezi as to who created it, the Shoki slang has penetrated through almost every higher institution in Nigeria.