Be it dancing on the floor, or simply needing something to get your groove on, this channel offers a nonstop selection of contemporary dance anthems to get you moving!
According to Spotify, energy is defined as an indication of intensity and activity while danceability measures how suitable a track is for dancing based on rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall tempo.
1. Cha-Cha Slide by Mr. C The Slide Man
The Official Charts Company presents their weekly dance song of the week chart, compiled based on sales of downloads, CDs, vinyl records and other physical formats over seven days.
Mr. C the Slide Man’s song has become a global party hit since 2000, becoming an infectious line-dance exercise tune and eventually reaching number five on Billboard charts. Since then it has become a favorite at dance clubs, school dances, prom nights, ice-skating venues, birthday parties, B’nai Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras and weddings across the world.
This playlist’s eclectic medley of hits from different decades demonstrates dance music‘s development over the decades. Starting with disco and moving through early eighties club sounds such as electro and Latin freestyle to nineties rave explosion with jungle, trance, gabba, EDM originals and remixes which reigned supreme during 2000s rave explosion. Also honored here is dance music’s godfather James Brown as well as contemporary pop artists Rihanna and Dua Lipa who have inspired A-list talent to explore dance genres successfully with great success.
2. Chicken Noodle Soup by DJ Webstar
Harlem rapper Bianca Bonnie joined forces with DJ Webstar as a 14-year-old high schooler to record “Chicken Noodle Soup,” she probably hadn’t anticipated that it would go viral as an international dance phenomenon. Its catchy shuffle-heavy beat featuring air raid siren-style opening notes and 808 drum basslines was quickly adopted by middle and high school dancers worldwide, according to Litefeet.
After 13 years since its initial release, “Come Together (CNSChallenge)” made its comeback as a social media craze thanks to BTS star J-Hope and Mexican-American hitmaker Becky G in 2019. Their trilingual rendition of the track featuring lyrics about working hard by any means necessary has been watched over 65 million times and even inspired its own choreography on TikTok and Twitter via the #CNSChallenge hashtag.
“Chicken Noodle Soup”‘s comeback underscores how DJ Webstar (now 32 and known as Troy Ryan) has inspired A-list pop talent like Rihanna to Dua Lipa to explore dance spheres through his DIY dance-pop architecture. Remixes created for his own hits as well as those by Calvin Harris have only added to this movement, expanding the landscape of dance music even further.
3. Lean Back by Fat Joe & Remy Ma
Fat Joe emerged after years as one of New York City’s most notorious goon rappers and made the transition into pop music with regular chart appearances in DJ Khaled posse cuts remixed regularly by Fat Joe himself, which may have helped him avoid some of Big Pun’s missteps, who died unexpectedly at 28.
Joe and Remy Ma’s collaboration on “Lean Back,” from 2004’s True Story album, proved its potential. A hard-hitting club banger that captured the energy and vibe of New York streets at that time, the track also symbolizes how two artists can work together to produce something greater than themselves.
Both rappers deliver powerful verses, with Remy standing out as particularly effective with her Bronx flair and harsh lines such as: “Y’all bitches got fat while we starved/ Shots in your asses, pads in your bras.” She attacks other female rap artists directly through these lyrics.
Even its video feels retro, featuring Joe and Remy with an ensemble of young men eager to party and imbibe alcohol. Future superstars Daddy Yankee and DJ Khaled (both featured on this playlist) make appearances, and their mid-song skit almost rivals that of the song itself!
4. Laffy Taffy by D4L
Laffy Taffy became such a hit for two main reasons: Fa-Bo’s catchy flow and its minimalist, spacey Mario video game-esque beat. Together they allowed it to hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in no time at all – creating an existential crisis within hip-hop as something so seemingly simple could become such a popular song! If such an unlikely song could become such a smash hit it should prompt us all to ask why something so obvious became such an enormous success?
At the time, goofy Atlanta dance-rap tracks had long been a mainstay on charts; however, none had achieved national popularity until “Laffy Taffy,” D4L’s breakthrough song which catapulted them onto national radar.
Unsure whether they had created a hit until it started rising up the charts, they weren’t certain until their second single, Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me, was nearly identical to this original hit single.
Down for Life is an enjoyable party album but, after about seven tracks, its formula begins to run thin. They rely on repeating similar synth beats and an amusing electro beat line reminiscent of 80s Nintendo games for most of its energy; along with slower, soothing head nodders which may become dull over time.
5. Cat Daddy by The Rej3ctz
Models and dancing typically don’t mix – something about their gangly bodies just looks mechanical – but Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton makes it look effortless in L.A. group the Rej3ctz’s video for Cat Daddy from their low-slung single. She is particularly skilled at doing the buckling-a-seatbelt dance (but if wearing jeans it might be best to stick with that dance instead!).
From disco’s revival as electro and Latin freestyle through Eighties club sounds that transitioned into techno and gabba to Nineties rave and dubstep bonanzas, this playlist highlights dance music’s impressive development throughout its existence. Not just DJing superstars such as Calvin Harris or David Guetta can be found flexing their beats; A-list pop artists from Rihanna to Dua Lipa have taken up dance-pop mantles as well. Plus there’s plenty of genre-spanning EDM originals here to keep everyone moving!
6. Walk It Out by DJ Unk
No matter where or when you dance, these feel-good jams will put a smile on your face and put a spring in your step. From disco to early Eighties club sounds such as electro and Latin freestyle; through disco, early Eighties club sounds such as electro and Latin freestyle; all the way through Nineties rave explosion which gave birth to everything from jungle trance garage EDM; led by Calvin Harris’ playlist which encouraged A-List talent such as Rihanna & Dua Lipa exploring dance spheres with intentional purposeful fervor.
Unk’s debut single Walk It Out became an instant classic when released in 2006. His follow up track, 2 Step, became a dance craze that remains popular today. Unk hasn’t changed his formula much with his sophomore effort either: guest stars from Three 6 Mafia, Ying Yang Twins and Dem Franchize Boyz all contribute verses over murky synths with amusing intimidation to lay down verses over murky basslines with amusing chord progressions – it works every time!