It was the year 2007.
And if you knew anything about 2007… YouTube exploded as the new platform to watch videos in this period.
And of course, it was the sweetest piece of news for us bboys.
We finally didn’t have to rummage through our grandfather’s Playboy collection just to find that one random bboy windmill VHS tape.
And if you had searched “bboy” on YouTube then…
You would have discovered Red Bull BC One 2005 and saw Lilou battling Hong 10 in the finals — the finals that created gigantic fan bases for the both of them.
And YOU would also have noticed these 2 highly-revered bboys dance to incredibly weird electronic music.
Songs that you knew instinctively weren’t for bboys. Songs like this.
And if you had any musical sense or rhythm, you would have noticed the painfully obvious fact that they were dancing off beat.
Which years later… You’ll discover that the music was actually dubbed over because Red Bull didn’t buy the copyrights to the original tracks.
I’m not suggesting that Hong 10 and Lilou are wack dancers that don’t dance to the music, nor that Red Bull is screwed up for not purchasing them copyrights.
What I’m saying is…
If that was your first impression of bboy music…
Congratulations! You are not the ONLY ONE.
The Songs That Revolutionized the 20th Century
Frustrating, isn’t it?
When you just started to learn breaking, and swam into a sea of unknown, you realised one crucial fact:
You didn’t know what type of music bboys danced to!
As you headed down to practice to try your first ever 6-step, you didn’t know what music to play.
Was it pop music? How about EDM? Maybe hip hop?
Feeling lost, you plugged in the audio jack of your speakers into your phone, and pressed shuffle to initiate that training session…
Rihanna.

I mean, how could you have known..? How could anybody? Growing up in the modern generation… Funk was a relatively unknown and unpopular genre. And let’s not even talk about jazz. Not to mention salsa and good ol’ James Brown.
The worse thing was,
We didn’t have anybody or anyplace to ask.
And, there wasn’t any way to know which are the genres or songs that bboys and bgirls dance to.
There wasn’t any way to know which are the classic songs that everyone should know and learn by heart.
After all, these are the songs that started off the entire hip hop culture.
These are the songs that inspired the original dancers to react and move their bodies – forming the foundation of breaking.
YET,
It’s as if someone told you that there were bricks available around you for you to build your house. But you didn’t know where the hell those bricks were lying about!
I previously created a list of 157 bboy songs, but it was not enough to satisfy the cravings of bboys.
So, with the help of bboys and DJs worldwide, I curated a gigantic list of bboy songs for you to practice and jam to.
(I’ll like to give a shout out to the people who have contributed to this list — they include Jia Han, Dylan, Olie Sung [UK Bboys], DJ Jebel, DJ Nobunaga, DJ Chief, our blog commenters, Brownout, Laura Vane & The Vipertones and Lack of Afro!)
Check out the YouTube playlist here.
- Incredible Bongo Band – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
- Henry Mancini – Police Woman Theme
- The Bamboos – The Witch
- Soopasoul – Brand Nu
- Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul – I’ve Got So Much Trouble On My Mind
- Herbie Hancock – Rock It
- Mr Wiggles – JB Style
- Soho – Hot Music
- Souls of Mischief – 93 ‘Til Infinity
- Sapo – Been Had
- The Haggis Horns – Pipe Bag
- DJ Chief – Uh Oh
- Rage Against The Machine – Renegades of Funk
- Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
- EPMD – Rampage (Remix)
- NWA – Express Yourself
- Pretty Purdie – Soul Drums
- Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm – Funky Mule
- Bobby Byrd – Hot Pants (I’m Coming, I’m Coming)
- Johnny Pate – You Can’t Even Walk In The Park
- The Meters – Same Old Thing
- Nina Simone – Funkier Than A Mosquito’s Tweeter
- Fred Wesley & The JBs – Blow Your Head
- The Beginning of The End – Funky Nassau Pt. 1
- The Beginner of The End – Funky Nassau Pt. 2
- ShowBiz & AG – Giant In The Mental
- Cypress Hill – Insane In the Membrane
- The Magic Disco Machine – Scratchin’
- Charles Mintz – Give a Man a Break
- Chuck Carbo and The Soul Finders – Can I Be Your Squeeze
- WAR – Me & Baby Brother
- Billy Garner – Brand New Girl
- Jesse Gresham Plus 3 – Shootin’ The Grease
- Ray Baretto – Together
- Joe Bataan – Latin Strut
- DJ Chief – Rhythm Blunt
- The Commodores – Keep On Dancing
- Boris Gardiner – Melting Pot
- KC & The Sunshine Band – Let It Go Pt1
- Brand Nubian – All For One
- Liquid Liquid – Cavern
- Lyn Collins – Think About It
- Roy Ayers – Brother Green (Disco King)
- Roy Ayers – Aragon
- The Fabulous Counts – Lunar Funk
- Bobby Womack – Across 110th Street
- Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real
- Tom Jones – Looking Out My Window
- Jackie Robinson – Pussy Footer
- 7th Wonder – Daisy Lady
- Rufus Thomas – Do the Funky Penguin
- Juice – Catch A Groove
- Steven Perri & Zamaun – Street Scene
- Adfunk – The Chance
- The Button Down Brass – French Connection
- Fendaheads – Sunrise
- Johnny Pate – Shaft In Africa
- K. Papworth – Hard Hitter
- Boney M – Ma Baker
- La Banda Salsa – Y Ata A Yo Yo
- MFSB – Family Affair
- Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – Conga
- John Davis & The Monster Orchestra – I Can’t Stop
- La Banda Salsa – Tacumbe
- Candido – I’m On My Way
- The Pace Setters – Freedom and Justice
- Lee Chang Yui – Canon in D Remix
- Samba Soul – Chove Chuva Ques Mas Que Nada
- Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra – Sammy’s Theme
- Mr Comicstore & Nicole Williams – Are You Ready
- Up, Bustle & Out – Guitarra (Por La Revolucion)
- De Wolfe Music Librairie – Party People
- The Supremes – Where Do I Go From Here
- A.Y.B Force – Hardboiled
- Chicago – Street Player
- Inoue Takayuki Band – Passion of Theme
- Larry Coryell – Morning Sickness
- Electric Indian – Raindance
- I Gres – Restless
- The Budos Band – Mas O Menos
- Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me
- Ron Carter – Baretta’s Theme
- Quincy Jones – Money Runner
- Walter Murphy – Flight 76
- The Budos Band – Budos Rising
- Dennis Coffey – Ride Sally Ride
- Smoove – I’m A Man
- Datarock – Fa Fa Fa
- Chubb Rock – Treat ‘Em Right
- Original Flavor – Can I Get Open
- Barry White – You Gotta Case
- Bus People Express – Augusta Georgia
- DJ Lean Rock – Nitro
- Respect – Soul Entertainer
- DJ BlesOne – Them Team Theme
- Mex – Way Of The Exploding Crate
- Certain Ratio – Do The Du
- Lefties Soul Connection – Code 99
- DJ Lean Rock – Madafaka
- All The People – Cramp Your Style
- Henry Mancini – Streets of San Francisco
- Cissy Houston – Somebody Should Have Told Me
- Perez Prado – Circle
- The New Mastersound – Coffee Provider
- The Soul Snatchers – Get Yourself Together
- Triple Threat – Morning Showers
- Soopasoul – A Wild Mad Beat
- BS 2000 – NY Is Good
- Promoe – Off the Record
- Mr. Scruff – Kalimba
- Royce Da’ 59 – Boom DJ Premier
- DJ Charlie Rock – Horse With No Name
- Above The Law – Untouchable
- Le Scratchfunk – The Go Off
- John Hawksworth – Flash Barrier
- Fort Knox 5 – Donde Estabas
- Nina Simone – Save Me
- Main Source – Fakin’ The Funk
- Herbaliser – Gold Rush
- The Underbelly – Red Flames
- Superman Ivy – Yes Yes Y’all
- Kovacs Kati – Szoli Ram Ha Hangosan Enekelek
- The Roots – How I Got Over
- Showbiz & A.G. – Fat Pockets
- Freestyle Fellowship – Hot Potato
- 6ix Toys – Voodoo People
- Speak Low – This Letter
- Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity – Indian Ropeman
- Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – War
- Funky Bijou – Funky Bijou Anthem
- The Quantic Soul Orchestra – Feeling Good
- The Isley Brothers – Get Into Something
- Brownout – Latin Asscape
- Madcon – Liar
- Banbarra – Shack Up
- Boney M – Sunny
- DJ Chief – Love To The Breaks
- LTD – Love To The World
- Mr Scruff – Get A Move On
- Romanowski – Strudel Strut
- Barrabas – Woman
- The Bamboos ft. Alice Russell – Step It Up
- The Bamboos – Happy
- Ben & The Platano Group – Platano Split
- Milton Hamilton – My Love Supreme
- Broxie Makes – Untitled
- Kylie Auldist – Ship In A Bottle
- Peter, Bjorn & John – Young Folks
- Snuky Tate – He’s The Groove
- Willie Mitchell – The Horse
- Kava – The Gambler
- Stefano Torossi – Fearing Much
- Banda Uniao Black – Na Palma Da Mao
- Bobby Hughes Experience – Theme From Skidoo
- Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Alyo
- John Schroder – Headband
- DJ Lean Rock – Sneak Peak
- Funky Bijou – Aie Caramba
- DJ Tee – Alpha Team
- Masters of Illusion – Bay Bronx Bridge
- Hardnoise – Untitled
- Naomi Davis & The Knights of the Forty First Street – Forty First Street Breakdown
- The Blackbyrds – Blackbyrds Theme
- Spencer Davis Group – I’m A Man
- Spirit Of Atlanta – Freddie’s Alive And Well
- Eddie Roberts & The Fire Eaters – The Lope Song
- Knights Of The Turntables – Fresh Mess
- Trouble – I Get Hype
- Run DMC – Peter Piper
- Stezo – Get Into His Move
- Monie Love – I Can Do This (Downtown Mix)
- Earth, Wind & Fire – Moment of Truth
- Manzel – Space Funk
- Rock Workshop – I Think It’s…
- The 3 Knights – The Burial Proceedings over 3 Knights
- Peppers – Stuffed Pepper
- Wayne Cochran – Chopper’70
- Ernie & The Top Notes – Dap Walk
- Earth, Wind & Fire – Africano
- Bobby Byrd – If You Don’t Work, You Can’t Eat
- Buddy Rich – Countin’ Them Long White Lines
- Incredible Bongo Band – Bongolia
- The Vibrettes – Humpty Dump
- Atmosfear – Dancing In Outer Space
- Mike Berry – Dial My Number
- Little Royal & The Swingmasters – Razor Blade
- Kool & The Gang – Chocolate Buttermilk
- Public Enemy – Fight The Power
- Art of Noise – Beat Box
- Tuff Crew – Wreck Shop
- Mighty Show Stoppers – Hippy Skippy Moon Strut
- Funky Bijou – Tu Vas Avoir Des Problemes
- House of Pain – Jump Around
- DJ Chief – Pajama Jam
- Sweet Daddy Floyd – I Just Can’t Help Myself
- In Search of Orchestra – Phenomena Theme
- Original Tropicana Steel Band – Calypso Rock
- William Stuckey – Disco Fly
- All Directions – On Top Of It
- Gerson King Combo – Mandamentos Black
- Soseme Makonde – Manzara
- Nico Gomez – La Lupita
- Bobby Franklin’s Insanity – Bring It On Down
- Melvin Sparks – Get Ya Some
- The Lovers – Discomania
- Pleasure – Celebrate The Good Things
- Denton and Cook – Quiller
- John G. Perry – Etude
- Bjarne Rostvold & Perry Knudsen – Magonde
- Karma – Funk De Mambo
- Charly Antolini – Uela Uela
- Barry Stoller – Design
- Nico Gomez & His Afro Percussion Inc. – Ritual
- Peter Reno – Silver Thrust
- Please – Ego Trippin’
- Geno Washington – Different Strokes
- Grady Tate – Be Black Baby
- Lowrell – Overdose
- Ralph Carmichael – The Addict’s Psalm
- Eddie Bo – Hook And Sling
- Jackson 5 – Hum Along And Dance
- Vernon Burch – Get Up
- King Errisson – Well, Have A Nice Day
- Jerry O – Funky Charge
- The Turtles – I’m Chief Kamanawanalea
- Magnum – It’s The Music That Made Us Do It
- Tom Scott – Sneakin’ In The Back
- Detroit Emeralds – You’re Getting A Little Too Smart
- The Emotions – Blind Alley
- Mel Brown – Swamp Fever
- Professor Funk – Love Is Such A Good Thing
- La Clave – Latin Slide
- Blue Magoos – Can’t Get Enough Of You
- Funkshone – Purification
I doubt anybody would have gotten to this part of the post without feeling tired. And it’s a good thing for me because I’ve done my part.
Why?
Chances are, you’ve clicked on the playlist. And I bet you were vibing and dancing to the music non-stop
Seriously…
Music is what makes 500 people at a bboy jam move together. Nobody is instructing them to move, except the music. And all I want to do is share the good vibes with you right here.
Every single nerve, muscle and bone is practically begging you to dance.
So, in the comments below, I want you to tell me:
Which bboy song has inspired you the most in this dance.
See you in the comments!
Peace,
Erin
Herbaliser – Goldrush for me
Awesome!
Why is Goldrush inspiring to you though? Any particular reason?
For me, the old school songs are very motivating since the best known DJ (South Germany) here plays a lot of these tracks such as “Protect Ya Neck” or “The Learning”. 🙂
Wu Tang Clan aint nuthin to fuck wit!
Babe Ruth, Jimmy Castor Bunch?)
We had an earlier post on this topic. Check it out: http://breakdancedecoded.com/157-bboy-tracks/
we néd bboy teachers in Uganda/Bundibugyo
You can reference Breakdance Decoded for practice!
Hello, what’s the name of the bboy beat playing in Dream Team Battle (USA Vs Korea & Japan) at BBOY Master Korea 2001 between 3:10 – 5 :10?
https://youtu.be/7c0nJDxN9e0
It’s an amazing beat.
Thanks
I’m not too sure either, will have to find the song name!