Urban dance covers a variety of movement that encompasses the essence of dance styles that were not particularly created inside a dance studio. Street dancers developed the style in urban neighbourhoods without a formal process. Street and Hip-Hop Dance encompasses the people and events since the late 1960s that have contributed to the development of the early urban dance moves, such as breaking, locking, roboting, and popping. Black Americans created these styles in New York City; they are collectively referred to as the funk styles. All of these dance styles are different stylistically. They share common ground in their street origins and in their improvisational nature (En.wikipedia.org, 2018). Urban dance styles are mostly recognised on television, such as commercial dance. This style is mostly used in music videos, on the catwalk and at fashion shows, artist tours, advertising campaigns, corporate events, TV and film. Many famous musicians such as Beyoncé and Chris Brown are prominent with the commercial style when touring the world with their music. They hire the best dancers in the industry that can execute the style perfectly. Just like other styles in the urban category, commercial dance has been developed from the streets and freestyle stylisation.

Contemporary dance describes many different techniques formed by pioneers in the style such as, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Doris Humphrey and Merce Cunningham in the early 20th century (Giguere, 2013, Pg.2). There was a massive shift in the world of music, art, theatre and design from the existing traditions such as classical ballet. The shift represented the modernization and industrialisation of society, it promoted the quirky and abstract side of many art forms and it begun to be valued from audience members that were enticed by something different or outside of the “norm”(ibid). The idea of reflecting change in the culture is a very important part of modern dance. Contemporary dance has developed significantly as more and more dance artists like to push the boundaries and constantly evolve the art form. Hofesh Shechter created a famous work called ‘political mother’ that represents the shift from classical art to modernised art. In its scale, Political Mother can be read as the ultimate expression of Hofeshs’ determination to rid contemporary dance of its po-faced, studio-bound connotations. What Shechter gives us in Political Mother is dance as rock concert, as bone-shaking physical assault (Jennings, 2015). Contemporary dance has become hugely developed as certain artist such as Brian Friedman have begun to fuse contemporary dance with other styles, and develop what is seen as the normality for modern dance. It is important to push the boundaries in the industry as it is the most expressive art form that represents you as the artist, and what you produce represents your views and visions emotionally, and through representations of society.

The art of fusing styles together has only recently become known in the dance industry; one of the most known artists in this sector is Brian Friedman. Friedman has created the choreography for many popular music artists – such as Britney Spears, Cher, Beyoncé Knowles, and Mariah Carey – as well as for music videos, concert tours, and television and film productions. He promotes his work and classes on his social media account. https://www.instagram.com/brianfriedman

Here you can see his unique style of fusing contemporary based principals with a commercial flare. He has created his own aesthetic where his choreography has become recognisable and unique. His moves and style are beyond grand, graceful and captivating, which make him a true original in his field (Broadway Dance Center, n.d.).

Friedman states in dance spirit article that Kevin Ortega was one of his inspirations for creating and retaining his own style, “I worked with Kenny Ortega when I was very young. He would create organic movements, which was a completely unfamiliar process to me as a competitive dancer. I did not know you could make up moves that were not already part of someone else's vocabulary. I found my own vocabulary thanks to my mentors.” (Dance Spirit, 2018) Brian Friedman has become a household name and well known choreographer in the industry and across the world. He is mostly known for choreographing for the UK’s singing talent contest ‘The X Factor’.