How to Do the MC Hammer Dance

Step 1: Play music Play lively dance music to get in the mood for Hammer dancing.
TIP: To feel the spirit of the dance, put on baggy, genie-like pants, also known as Hammer pants.
Step 2: Keep legs wide Take a wide stance and wait for a good place in the music to start moving.
Step 3: Bend your knees Bend your knees so you are in a squat with your knees pointed out.
Step 4: Shuffle Shuffle quickly to the right and then quickly back to the left. Repeat as often as you want.
Step 5: Move your arms Stretch your arms out or hold them at your sides, alternately raising and lowering either shoulder as you move from side to side.
Step 6: Add style Jump and cross your feet quickly in the front and then in back to give the dance more visual interest
Step 7: Integrate other moves Integrate other late ’80s and early ’90s dance moves and tear it up at the club.
FACT: MC Hammer was given the name “Hammer” by members of the Oakland A’s baseball team, for whom he worked as a batboy. They thought he looked like baseball great “Hammerin” Hank Aaron.

Lessons in this Guide