ONTD Original: Choreography in Mainstream Music Part 1: Groups
Choreography has been a big component of live performances and music videos in mainstream music... until recently. However, some acts still try it and due to lack of rhythm or lessons, we're mostly left with struggle choreography. Other ONTD members have made posts before documenting their favorite female dancers or live performances, but I will be documenting all I can find from the struggle to the great in a three part series: groups, males, and females.
Girl groups and boy bands in particular are known for their choreography or "cheesy moves" because they were part of the great teen pop invasion of the 90s/early 2000s. With their dying popularity, very few groups have hit it big this decade. The most recent are the instrument playing "real band," The Jonas Brothers, who's very own Nick Jonas will be featured in the males choreography post, and the 5 year phenomenon One Direction. One Direction broke the mold of other teen oriented groups because their choreographer is more interested in rainbow bondage bears they are too lazy, terrible, and "cool" for dancing.
This will never not be funny😂 pic.twitter.com/nqAxOS7WDm
- PopCulture News (@PopCultureShady) November 29, 2015
However, during 2010's X Factor they were given a dance routine as solo artists and it turned out... very interesting. Most of the acts I post will at least reach a higher level than that (aka every semi-popular western group I could find).
NEW EDITION (1978-1990)
Click to viewNew Edition are creditted for starting the boy band trend of the 80s before the term was even coined. Their smooth moves and formations would inspire and open doors for the big groups of the 90s like NKOTB, BSB, and *N SYNC.
EXPOSE (1984-1996)
Expose were the first group to have four top 10 billboard hits from their debut album, including #1 hit ballad "Seasons Change." Not only could they sing ballads, but they could dance extremely well, showcasing a love of pirouettes, leaps, and shuffling.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK (1984-1994)
Maurice Starr's success with New Edition led him to create the white, teen pop infused New Kids on The Block. NKOTB were the first commercially successful "modern" boy band. They put on a great show with back up dancers, in sync formations, and even breakdancing.
SALT-N-PEPA (1985-2002)
Grammy winning all female hip hop group Salt N Pepa prove they are the very best by bringing non-stop energy the very moment they step on stage. The choreography is constant and when one meber is serving a live verse the others are still killing it with the back up dancers.
SWEET SENSATION (1986-1993)
Sweet Sensation were a chart topping freestyle group that served quick footwork and live vocals in heels.
EN VOGUE (1989-PRESENT)
En Vogue are probably the most influential girl group ever due to their tight harmonies, elegant choreography, and abundant US RnB hits, including the GLOBAL "Don't' Let Go." In their Grammy performance of "My Lovin," they showcase their usual elegant moves with a kind of complicated tap dance sequence.
TAKE THAT (1990-1996)
Take That's primary dancers were Howard Donald and Jason Orange, but all 5 would partake in choreography. Although it clearly worked to create a cohesive performance, it should be noted that Gary Barlow is the worst dancer. He could keep up, but he was more of a singer-songwriter. They have kind of lasted to this day as a man band and will have a Vegas Residency even though they only have one US hit, but they are the UK's best selling boy band and (former) member Robbie Williams is one of their best selling solo artists as well.
SWV (1990-1998)
SWV round out the top 10 of the top selling girl groups see why with their lovely vocals and group choreography. 2/3 would do more complex choreography while someone sings a verse or all would do it during mini breaks.
TLC (1990-PRESENT)
TLC were the first girl group to have enormous global success with their album "CrazySexyCool" that spawned endless hits. T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli were special because they clearly shined as individuals, but each brought something irreplaceable to the group. This could be seen in live performances where the girls do similar choreography but add their own little flair.
XSCAPE (1991-2000)
Xscape showcased almost kick like dance moves in live performances of US hit " Just Kickin It."
ETERNAL (1992-2000)
Eternal were considered the UK's answer to En Vogue and achieved many, many UK hit singles and albums.
BACKSTREET BOYS (1993-PRESENT)
Backstreet Boys are the all time best selling boy band for good reason. One is that they put effort into their performances with costume changes, adequte dancing, and use of props like chairs (I see you stealing Janet's work).
SPICE GIRLS (1994-2000)
The best selling girl group of all time combines varying levels of choreography with their distinct personality, flair, and fun stage presence for a great performance.
*N SYNC (1995-2002)
*N SYNC basically do non-stop choreography. Their moves are very quick, precise, and Janet Jackson like. Even left foot Lance got to a level where he could keep up and even start doing flips. JC was the best dancer in the group since he could excel at partner flips, one hand back flips, and high energy choreography. JT was very fluid in dance, but could not perform acrobatic moves like the others. Joey was in the middle, while Chris and of course Left Foot Lance had the most trouble, but since groups were overworked and polished to the max, they didn't fall back.
BLAQUE (1996-2005)
Blaque complimented their smooth vocals and harmonies with smooth steps and spins and even some lifts.
B*WITCHED (1997-2002)
B*Witched are probably the most well known girl group from Ireland due to great album sales and worldwide hit "C'est la Vie." They are enthusiastic right from the start with big jumps and even a little Irish jig thrown in.
5IVE (1997-2001)
5ive are a UK boyband and do some choreography. You can see that I don't know much about them and am getting lazy, but they put in effort to dance.
DESTINY'S CHILD (1998-2006)
Destiny's Child are one of the most successful girl groups ever and probably the most remembered due to Beyonce's solo superstardom, a few of Kelly's solo hits, and #poorMichelle (I love Michelle though). DC went to Matthew Knowles bootcamp to get their choreography down and their live performances were some of the best. "Lose My Breath" is their most dance heavy song where there are group sequences and a dance off that even church girl Michelle pulls off.
3LW (1999-2007)
3LW are very smooth dancers, almost reminiscent of Aaliyah.
O-TOWN (2000-2003)
One of Trash Pearlman's later groups, O-Town, names drops a bunch of people in the song like Destiny's Child, Madonna, and Janet Jackson, as they are seen channeling choreography similar to those acts.
GIRLS ALOUD (2002-2013)
Girls Aloud are one of the UK's biggest acts and are creditted along with the Sugababes for changing the pop landscape. They utilize their heels, back up dancers, sex appeal, and rhythm to make nice perforamces.
PUSSYCAT DOLLS (2003-2010)
Pussycat Dolls literally started as a dance group... so they have some pretty great choreography. It helps that they're basically Nicole's back up dancers besides worst dancer, primary wailer Melody.
DANITY KANE (2005-2009)
Danity Kane showcased kind of similar choreography to PCD because they sold it on their sex appeal.
BIG TIME RUSH (2009-2014)
Big Time Rush for some reason are on this list even though they are pretty irrelevant. I guess they qualified because they have a 700k Gold album due to their semi-successful TV show aka Nick's failed attempt to replicate the success of Disney's Jonas Brothers. Still sad that when they toured, opening debut act that placed 3rd on X Factor, One Direction, were more popular than the headliner. Sometimes it's weird because their heights aren't really proportianite, but they put in effort and actually attempted choreography these days. I believe Logan and James are dancers, so they have rhythm. Woo.
LITTLE MIX (2011-PRESENT)
Little Mix have learned choreography since their X Factor days, but it was basically step-step then. They started blossoming during the DNA tour with choreography routines in DNA, How Ya Doin, and their Girl Group Medley. When the Salute tour came, they really brought it with sharp, fluid, and precise routines in Salute, Dark Horse, Move, Nothing Feels Like You, and the new DNA Japan breakdown. Since 2015, the girls, Perrie in particular, have improved even more with a new Salute drop, Love Me Like You/Black Magic transition (X Factor performance specifically), and this weekend's X Factor performace with Fleur East on Black Magic/Sax. One of LM's greatest choreography feats is keeping up with BGT winning dance group, Diversity.
FIFTH HARMONY (2012-PRESENT)
Fifth Harmony's indiviual dance talents very greatly, so performances can be kind of inconsistent. Normani has been taking multiple dance and gymnastics classes since she was young, so she is amazing. Dinah probably has the most rhythm after her and really tries to sell it, though she can sometimes miss a few of the steps. Lauren has the 3rd most rhythm, so she usually looks fine or she can look half dead/stiff. Camila has lots of confidence, but can sometimes flail and get kind of ott. She has improved though. Ally is a mess and simply has no rhythm. She is super stiff and awkward. Looks out of place. (She's still a great singer though). This can be demonstrated well in the intro and it's not too embarrasing like the indiviual dances in Like Mariah. They go on to do a really nice job on BO$$ (pre the new dance break where Ally always messes up) and of course fan favorite, Reflection.
G.R.L (2013-2015)
GRL had loads of potential, but unfortnately member Simone Battle died leading to ther emergance as a quartet and then disbandment.
Source: YouTube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, Twitter