You’ve seen it. Even if you don’t know the name, you’ve seen it. Someone at a wedding starts feeling the beat, their arms start pumping like they’re rowing a boat in reverse, and their feet skip backward in a rhythmic, floppy motion. That’s the Roger Rabbit dance. It’s goofy, it’s high-energy, and it’s arguably the most resilient "fad" dance to ever come out of the 1980s hip-hop scene. While other moves from that era—like the Cabbage Patch or the Running Man—often feel like dated punchlines, the Roger Rabbit has a weird way of sneaking into modern choreography without people even realizing it.
It’s named after a cartoon character. Specifically, the hyperactive protagonist of the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. But here’s the kicker: Roger Rabbit doesn’t actually do the dance in the movie. Not really. The move was a street-born creation that happened to coincide with the film's massive cultural explosion. It’s a classic case of pop culture branding a movement that was already bubbling up in the clubs of New York and Los Angeles.
Where the Roger Rabbit Dance Actually Came From
People usually assume a choreographer sat down and watched the movie to find a "step." That’s not how hip-hop works. In the late 80s, the "New Jack Swing" era was taking over. This was a blend of R&B, funk, and hip-hop beats that demanded a specific kind of bounce. Dancers like Bobby Brown and the crews appearing in early MTV videos were looking for ways to make the "Running Man" more complex.
The Roger Rabbit dance is basically the Running Man in reverse. Instead of stepping forward and sliding back, you’re stepping back and hitching your leg. It’s got this elastic, "rubbery" quality that matched the slapstick energy of the movie's toon characters. Bobby Brown is often the one credited with popularizing it on a global scale. If you watch the video for "Every Little Step" (1989), you can see the move in its purest, most athletic form. Brown wasn’t just doing a fad; he was using the move to showcase a level of rhythm and footwork that most casual club-goers couldn't replicate without falling over.
It wasn't just Bobby, though. Janet Jackson’s dancers were leaning into these "social dances" heavily. The New City Kids and other legendary crews were refining these steps in the streets long before they hit the soundstages of Soul Train. There’s a certain weightiness to the move. You’re not just floating; you’re digging into the floor.
The Mechanics of the Bounce
Honestly, most people do it wrong. They think it’s just jumping. It’s not.
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To really nail the Roger Rabbit dance, you have to understand the "groove" or the "rock." Most hip-hop moves from this era are built on a consistent back-and-forth tilt of the torso. For the Roger Rabbit, you’re kicking one foot back while the other slides forward, but the secret is in the chest. Your upper body should crunch slightly as your foot goes back. It creates an illusion of being pulled by an invisible string.
Think of it as a rhythmic stumble. If you look at the way dancers like Buddha Stretch or Henry Link—pioneers of the Mop Top crew—approach these foundations, they talk about the "feeling" rather than the count. It’s not 1-2-3-4. It’s a pulse. You’ve got to feel like your limbs are made of springs.
Why It Stuck Around While Others Faded
Why do we still talk about this dance? The Macarena died. The Twist is a relic. But the Roger Rabbit dance evolved.
In the early 90s, the move transitioned from a "cool" street dance to a "party" dance. It became accessible. You didn't have to be a professional b-boy to do a basic version of it. However, the real reason it survived is its DNA. Elements of the Roger Rabbit are found in "shuffling" and "cutting shapes," which are massive in the modern EDM and house music scenes. If you look at a shuffler at a music festival today, their footwork is a direct descendant of the New Jack Swing steps from 1988.
- The Silhouette: The move looks good from any angle.
- The Speed: It can be performed to a slow hip-hop beat or a 128 BPM house track.
- The Modification: You can add "flavors" to it—cross your arms, touch your toes, or do it with a partner.
There’s also the nostalgia factor. For Gen X and Millennials, the move represents a specific era of optimism in pop culture. It was the bridge between the gritty early days of breakdancing and the polished, commercial hip-hop of the 90s.
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The Bobby Brown Influence and the "Every Little Step" Era
We can't talk about the Roger Rabbit dance without mentioning the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards or the "Every Little Step" music video. This was the moment the dance became a global phenomenon. Bobby Brown’s version was crisp. It was aggressive. He added a "scuff" to the step that made it look faster than it actually was.
At that time, New Jack Swing was the dominant sound, pioneered by producers like Teddy Riley. This music had a very specific "swing" (hence the name) that wasn't a straight 4/4 beat. It had a lilt. The Roger Rabbit fit that lilt perfectly. It allowed dancers to accent the "and" of the beat—the upbeat.
- Fact Check: Many people believe Roger Rabbit (the cartoon) did the dance in the "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile" sequence. He didn't. He does a lot of hopping and eccentric movement, but the structured "back-step" we call the Roger Rabbit was purely a human invention inspired by his vibe.
Is It Still Relevant?
You’d be surprised. In the world of "litefeet" (a style of dance originating in Harlem in the mid-2000s), foundational steps like the Roger Rabbit are still taught as "party moves." Even in the K-Pop world, choreographers frequently dip into the 80s and 90s bag of tricks. Groups like BTS or NewJeans often incorporate New Jack Swing elements into their routines because that "retro" bounce is timelessly catchy.
How to Do the Roger Rabbit (Without Looking Silly)
If you’re going to try this at your next party, don't just start hopping. You’ll look like you’re having a calf cramp.
- Start with the slide. Stand with your feet together. Slide your right foot back while simultaneously lifting your left foot slightly off the ground.
- The "Hitch." As your right foot lands back, "hitch" your left leg up. It’s a tiny hop.
- The Switch. Now, do the opposite. Slide that left foot back and hitch the right.
- The Arms. This is where people mess up. Your arms should mimic the motion of pulling on oars. When your foot goes back, your arms pull in.
- The Lean. Lean your torso slightly forward. If you stand up too straight, you lose the "cartoon" elasticity that gives the dance its name.
The trick is to stay on the balls of your feet. If your heels hit the floor too hard, you lose the momentum. It’s a circular motion, not a jagged one.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most beginners make the mistake of traveling too much. The Roger Rabbit dance is meant to be done "in place." You shouldn't be moving across the room like you're doing a 100-meter dash. You want to stay centered.
Another big one? Over-exaggerating the arms. In the 80s, big arms were the style. Today, "less is more." Keep the arm movements tight and rhythmic. It’s more about the feet anyway.
The Cultural Impact of 1988
1988 was a weird, brilliant year for entertainment. Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a technical marvel, blending live action and animation in a way that felt like magic. It’s only natural that the biggest movie of the year would lend its name to the biggest dance trend.
The dance served as a form of "social currency." If you knew how to do the Roger Rabbit, you were "in." It was featured in movies like House Party (1990), where Kid 'n Play took foundational steps and turned them into acrobatic spectacles. This era of dance was about community. You did these moves in a circle (a "cypher"). You battled your friends. It wasn't about being a TikTok star; it was about the vibe in the room.
Evolution into the "SpongeBob" and Other Moves
Interestingly, the Roger Rabbit eventually morphed. In the Baltimore Club scene and early house dance circles, the move was tweaked and turned into things like the "SpongeBob" dance (no relation to the cartoon, initially). The basic physics—weight shifting and leg hitching—remained the same. It’s a testament to the move's versatility. It’s like a "root" in linguistics; you can build a thousand different words from it.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Dancer
If you want to master this, don't just read about it.
- Watch the source material. Go to YouTube and look up "Bobby Brown Every Little Step Official Video." Watch his feet at the 1:20 mark.
- Slow it down. Use the "playback speed" setting on videos to watch it at 0.5x. You’ll see the "kick-back" more clearly.
- Film yourself. It feels different than it looks. You might think you’re killing it, but you might just be jumping up and down. Seeing yourself on camera helps you fix your posture.
- Practice the "bounce" first. Before you even move your feet, just stand in place and bounce to a 100-110 BPM beat. Get the rhythm in your knees.
The Roger Rabbit dance isn't just a relic of the past. It’s a fundamental building block of modern urban dance. Whether you're a serious student of hip-hop history or just someone who wants to have a go-to move for the dance floor, mastering this "cartoon" step is a rite of passage. It’s about energy, fun, and a little bit of that 80s swagger that never truly goes out of style. Give it a shot—just make sure you have enough floor space.