Backup dancer explained

A backup dancer also known as background dancer^[1] is a performer who dances with or behind the lead performers in a live musical act or in a music video. Their movements (especially where there are many moving together) improve the visual aesthetics of the lead performer, and provide a symmetry and rhythm to accompany the music.

Backup dancers

Some performers began their music careers as backup dancers for other artists, including:

• Lee Know from Stray Kids (for BTS)^[2]
• Kim Hyo-yeon from Girls' Generation (for BoA)
• Yoon Ji-sung and Kang Daniel (for Shihyun and Cao Lu)
• Kevin Federline (for Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Milian, and LFO)^[3]
• FKA twigs^[4]
• Cris Judd (for ex-wife Jennifer Lopez' 2001 video "Love Don't Cost a Thing")^[5]
• Jennifer Lopez (for the New Kids on the Block, MC Hammer and Janet Jackson's 1993 video "That's the Way Love Goes")
• Rain (for Park Jin-young and Park Ji-yoon)^[6]
• Tupac Shakur (for the Digital Underground)^{[7] [8] [9]}
• Michael K. Williams^[10]
• Zendaya^[11]

See also

• Corps de ballet
• Backing vocalist
• Extra (actor)
• Taxi dancer – a paid dancer in a partner-dance

Further reading

• Web site: Oshmyansky . Rosalyn . Snake Bites Nicki Minaj's Backup Dancer at VMA Rehearsal . . 23 August 2014 . 4 March 2015.
• Web site: Meet Jay-Z and Beyonce's Incredible Backup Dancers . . 24 July 2014 . 4 March 2015.
• Web site: Spiegel . Amy Rose . How Do You Even Become A Backup Dancer? . . 11 June 2013 . 4 March 2015.
• Web site: P!nk backup dancer is from Atlanta - Video . . 1 March 2013 . https://archive.today/20150309130402/http://www.11alive.com/video/2196822034001/0/Pnk-backup-dancer-is-from-Atlanta . dead . 9 March 2015 . 4 March 2015 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Will . Storr. The truth about life as a background dancer. The Telegraph . 5 June 2011 . 13 June 2013 .
2. Web site: Watch: Stray Kids' Lee Know Talks About Being BTS's Back-Up Dancer + Shows His Part In "Not Today" Performance. 9 October 2019. Soompi. en. 2020-05-17.
3. Web site: Schwarz. Hunter. Kevin Federline Was A Backup Dancer In A Justin Timberlake Music Video. Buzzfeed. 2 March 2015. 26 April 2014.
4. News: Interviews: FKA twigs . Carrie . Battan . . 22 July 2014 . 8 March 2015 .
5. Web site: Cris Judd Talks Jennifer Lopez Marriage: "You're No Longer a Normal Person". Us Weekly. 2 March 2015. 14 September 2014.
6. News: Pop star Rain (Bi), reaching out beyond Asia . KBS Global . 18 February 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070125163936/http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/people/1365736_11774.html . 25 January 2007 . dead . dmy-all .
7. Tupac Shakur – Thug Angel (The Life of an Outlaw). 2002.
8. Web site: Tupac Shakur . Hotshotdigital.com . 7 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120113032551/http://www.hotshotdigital.com/tribute/TupacShakur.html . 13 January 2012 . dmy .
9. Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 330.
10. Web site: From Backup Dancer To 'The Wire': How A Scar Transformed A Career. NPR. 2 March 2015. 21 June 2014.
11. Web site: Zendaya Coleman Danced In Sears Commercial With Selena Gomez Before She Was Famous!. huffpost. 13 February 2022. 2 August 2013.