What makes a music video shine? Badass choreography. Flawlessly executed dance routines can elevate a music video to icon status. It can define an artist’s brand, create iconic moments, and help a song become more memorable and engaging for the audience. Think of artists like Aaliyah, Beyoncé, and Britney Spears—their legendary dance numbers are just as iconic, if not more, than the songs themselves.
Here is a list of some of the most badass music video choreographies to ever come out of the game. It’s music video binge time! Let’s do this!
AALIYAH: TRY AGAIN
The choreography for Aaliyah’s “Try Again” is a key part of what made the video so iconic. Directed by Wayne Isham and choreographed by Fatima Robinson, the routine’s smooth, confident, and precise movements perfectly complemented the song’s innovative, futuristic R&B sound. Over the years, the choreography has been praised for helping to define Aaliyah’s signature style.
BEYONCÉ: SINGLE LADIES
The choreography for Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is instantly recognizable and has become a cultural phenomenon. Choreographed by JaQuel Knight, it features complex, precise moves inspired by a variety of dance styles, including J-Setting and the work of Bob Fosse. The black and white, minimalist video puts the focus squarely on the intricate routine, which has been widely imitated and parodied since its release. In 2020, Knight’s choreography for the video became the first non-ballet work to be granted a copyright registration.
BRUNO MARS: THAT’S WHAT I LIKE
The music video for Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like” is a masterclass in minimalist choreography and creative visual effects. Directed by Bruno Mars and Jonathan Lia, the video features a one-shot take of Mars performing the song’s intricate footwork and smooth body movements, which are seamlessly integrated with animated graphics that respond to his gestures and the lyrics. The simple concept highlights Mars’s showmanship and charisma, making his movements the central focus and creating a charming and captivating visual experience.
BRITNEY SPEARS: I’M A SLAVE 4 U
The choreography for Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U” marked a pivotal moment in her career, showcasing her transition to a more mature and provocative image. The dance routine, which was featured prominently in both the music video and her iconic 2001 MTV Video Music Awards performance, is known for its intense, high-energy movements and sensual style. The choreography is a key element of the song’s impact and is often cited as one of her best and most memorable routines.
CHILDISH GAMBINO: THIS IS AMERICA
The choreography for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” was created by Sherrie Silver. The routine, which includes a mix of viral dance moves and traditional African styles, provides a stark and powerful contrast to the chaotic and violent scenes unfolding in the background. The choreography has been praised for its satirical and symbolic nature, which draws attention to a variety of social and political issues.
CIARA: LEVEL UP
The choreography for Ciara’s “Level Up” was created by Parris Goebel, who also directed the video. Known for her unique and energetic style, Goebel’s routine is a high-octane blend of hip-hop and J-Setting, with powerful, sharp movements that perfectly match the song’s empowering message. The dance, performed by Ciara and the New Zealand-based ReQuest Dance Crew, became a viral sensation and sparked the “#LevelUpChallenge” across social media.
JANET JACKSON: IF
The choreography for Janet Jackson’s “If” was created by Tina Landon and Janet Jackson herself. The music video, set in a futuristic, voyeuristic club, features intense, precise, and sensual movements. The routine is celebrated for its intricate and powerful style, which has become a signature of Jackson’s artistry and is considered one of her most iconic performances.
JUSTIN BEIBER: SORRY
The choreography for Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” was created by Parris Goebel, who is also the choreographer for Ciara’s “Level Up.” The video, which features Goebel and the ReQuest Dance Crew, is known for its vibrant and energetic hip-hop style. The routine’s popularity was a significant factor in the song’s success, and it’s considered a key example of a music video that went viral without the artist, Justin Bieber, appearing in it.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: MY LOVE
The choreography for Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” was a key part of his early solo career, winning him an MTV VMA for Best Choreography in a Video in 2007. The routine was choreographed by Marty Kudelka, who has been Timberlake’s exclusive choreographer and artistic director for nearly two decades. The dance features smooth, intricate movements that blend hip-hop and pop with a futuristic feel, perfectly matching the song’s innovative sound and the sleek, stylized look of the music video.
KANYE WEST: FADE
The choreography for Kanye West’s “Fade” was a collaborative effort by Jae Blaze, Derek “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins, and Guapo. The routine, performed by Teyana Taylor, is a captivating blend of hip-hop and dancehall, drawing inspiration from the film Flashdance. The choreography is a central element of the video, showcasing Taylor’s powerful movements and athletic physique while providing a striking visual contrast to the gritty, minimalist setting. It’s a key element of the video’s impact, which won a VMA for Best Choreography in 2017.
KYLIE MINOGUE:
CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD
The choreography for Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” was created by Michael Rooney. The iconic music video, which features Minogue dancing against futuristic backdrops in a white hooded jumpsuit, is celebrated for its sleek, minimalist style. The simple yet effective dance moves have become a signature of the song and a memorable part of pop culture.
MARK RONSON FT. BRUNO MARS: UPTOWN FUNK
The choreography for “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars was created by Rob Fowler. The music video, which won a VMA for Best Male Video, showcases a dynamic and charismatic performance from Bruno Mars, his band The Hooligans, and Mark Ronson. The routine features a blend of synchronized footwork and throwback dance moves that perfectly capture the song’s funk-inspired style.
MISSY ELLIOTT: GOSSIP FOLKS
The choreography for Missy Elliott’s “Gossip Folks” was created by Nadine “Hi-Hat” Ruffin. The video is renowned for its quirky, energetic, and imaginative dance routines, which are performed in a variety of colorful and surreal settings. The use of unique and memorable movements, combined with Missy Elliott’s bold fashion and playful energy, helped solidify her status as a creative and influential force in music.
LADY GAGA FT. BEYONCÉ: TELEPHONE
The choreography for Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” was created by Laurieann Gibson. The elaborate video, which is a mini-movie inspired by the films of Quentin Tarantino, features a variety of intricate and powerful routines. The choreography is characterized by sharp, synchronized movements that blend pop with a theatrical flair, adding to the video’s dramatic and stylized aesthetic.
LMFAO: PARTY ROCK ANTHEM
The choreography for LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” was created by members of the Quest Crew, including Hokuto Konishi, Victor Kim, and Ryan Conferido. The video, which parodies the film 28 Days Later, became a worldwide phenomenon, primarily due to its high-energy and easy-to-learn routine. The dance, featuring the popular Melbourne Shuffle, helped popularize the song and sparked a global dance craze.
MICHAEL JACKSON FT. JANET JACKSON: SCREAM
Travis Payne created the choreography for “Scream” by Michael and Janet Jackson. The video, set on a futuristic spaceship, features synchronized, high-energy, and aggressive dance moves that reflect the song’s frustration with media scrutiny. The choreography is a key element of the video’s aesthetic and is celebrated for its powerful and precise execution by the two pop legends. This video also has the honor of being the most expensive music video EVER made.
PSY: GANGNAM STYLE
The choreography for Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was created by Lee Ju-sun. The dance, which is centered on a whimsical “horse-riding” move, became a global phenomenon due to its simple, humorous, and highly addictive nature. The routine’s international success not only helped the song become a viral hit but also brought attention to the importance of choreographers’ rights, as Lee Ju-sun became an advocate for protecting the intellectual property of dance routines.
SHAKIRA FT. WYCLEF JEAN: HIPS DON’T LIE
The choreography for Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” was created by Farah Khan. The video showcases Shakira’s signature hip-shaking and belly dancing, which is a fusion of Middle Eastern, Colombian, and Latin dance styles. The routine is a key part of the song’s identity and is celebrated for its sensual, energetic, and powerful moves.
SIA: CHEAP THRILLS
The choreography for Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” was created by Ryan Heffington, who also choreographed the videos for her songs “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart.” The performance features frequent Sia collaborator Maddie Ziegler and two male dancers in a simple room, with the focus placed entirely on their expressive and high-energy movements. Heffington’s choreography for this video is renowned for its unique and raw style, which utilizes body language and gestures to craft a powerful emotional narrative.