Hustle
Hustle · Foundation
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Count
- 1 2 3 4 — or syncopated: & 1 2 3
The syncopated count comes quickly — and the even count is always fine, for beginners or anyone whose body prefers it. Social tempos vary widely; part of the skill is matching the size and style of movement to the music.
Origin
New York, 1970s — born in the Bronx and the city’s disco and Latin clubs, the partner dance of the disco era. Disco faded; the hustle didn’t — it kept its turns and its drive and moved on to whatever the DJ played next.
Music
4/4 time — born to disco, danced now to pop, funk, house, and current radio hits. What it wants is a steady, driving beat.
Character
Smooth, fast, and full of turns — a rotating, flowing dance where the partnership never quite stops moving.
Figures
- 1
Stationary Basic (hesitations)
- 2
The Wheel (turning basic, half turns)
- 3
Underarm Turn Left for Follower
- 4
He Goes She Goes
- 5
Pick Up
- 6
Throw Out
- 7
Crossbody Lead
- 8
New York Walk
Want to learn the Hustle?
Every figure on this page is taught in the studio, one lesson at a time.