Twerking has taken the world by storm over the past decade – from viral videos and pop star performances to fitness classes and dance competitions. But twerking is more than just a trendy dance; it’s a cultural phenomenon and an incredible workout rolled into one. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into what twerking is, its origins and rise to fame, how to twerk with step-by-step instructions for beginners, advanced moves for the ambitious, the health benefits of twerking, and tips to join the thriving twerking community. Whether you’re looking to learn some new moves, spice up your exercise routine, or just understand what all the hype is about, this guide has you covered.
By the end, you’ll not only know how to twerk, but also appreciate the rich history behind this dance and how it empowers people today. And if you’re eager to see twerking in action or share your own moves, we’ll point you to some great video examples from TwerkQueens.com – a community-driven platform where twerk enthusiasts around the globe share videos, from amateur dance-offs to professional performances. Let’s get started on our twerk journey!
Twerking is a style of dance that focuses on rhythmic, high-energy movement of the hips and buttocks. It is typically performed to upbeat music in a sexually provocative manner, involving repeatedly thrusting or “throwing” the hips back and shaking the buttocks. Often, twerkers dance in a low squat position to maximize the movement. While twerking is commonly associated with women, people of all genders can twerk and enjoy the dance.
This dance move is part of a broader set of moves from the New Orleans hip-hop scene known as bounce music. In bounce culture, moves like “booty poppin,” “booty clapping,” and “the wild wood” all involve similar booty-shaking techniques. Twerking as we know it emerged from this scene around 1990 in New Orleans, but its roots trace back even further. In fact, twerking shares DNA with traditional West African dances – for example, the Ivorian dance mapouka also features vigorous buttock movements and is often cited as an ancestral form of twerking.
The term “twerk” itself likely comes from a play on the word “work” – as in “work it” on the dance floor – or possibly a combination of “twist” and “jerk.” It was first used in American hip-hop lyrics in the early 1990s; one of the earliest recorded uses is in a 1993 New Orleans bounce track where DJ Jubilee chants “Twerk baby, twerk baby.” The dance and the word remained popular in Southern hip-hop through the 2000s (listen to classics like the Ying Yang Twins’ “Whistle While You Twurk” from 2000 for an early example), but it was mostly an underground phenomenon in those years.
In plain terms, twerking is essentially about moving your backside to the beat. It’s known by other names in different communities – you might hear similar moves referred to as “booty shaking,” “grinding,” or in Latin communities, perreo (a dance style in reggaeton). Caribbean dances like “wining” in dancehall culture also resemble twerking. What sets twerking apart, however, is its specific bounce music heritage and the particular way the movement is executed with a rapid, repetitive hip thrust.
Twerking can be playful, expressive, and yes, overtly sexy – and that is part of its appeal. It’s a form of self-expression and confidence. Some people may blush at the idea of shaking their butt in public, but in the contexts where twerking thrives (clubs, parties, dance classes, music videos), it’s embraced as a liberating dance move that lets you celebrate your body and the music. As one writer colorfully described it, twerking requires “the ability to wibble your jelly at 100 miles per hour” – in other words, to shake your booty fast and with skill!
Twerking may seem like a modern craze, but its cultural roots run deep. As noted, the style has origins in African diasporic dances and specifically took shape in the late 1980s within the New Orleans “bounce” music scene. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, twerking (though it wasn’t yet a household word) was a staple in hip-hop clubs and music videos, especially in the American South. Songs like DJ Jubilee’s and later the Ying Yang Twins’ tracks brought the term into regional slang, and countless people were already twerking at parties well before the mainstream media noticed.
The big turning point for twerking’s public profile came in 2013. Pop star Miley Cyrus performed a provocative twerk routine during the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2013, which shocked some viewers and delighted others – but importantly, it got everybody talking. Suddenly, people who had never heard of twerking were Googling it to figure out what it was. In fact, “twerking” became the number one “what is…?” search query on Google that year, and by the end of 2013 the word “twerk” had been added to the Oxford Dictionary (it narrowly missed being Oxford’s Word of the Year). That VMA performance and the viral frenzy around it catapulted twerking into the global spotlight.
After 2013, twerking was everywhere in pop culture. Music artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and City Girls incorporated twerking into their music videos and stage performances, bringing the move further into the mainstream. Even athletes and actors got in on the craze – for instance, NBA players have been spotted twerking in victory dances, and social media challenges spurred thousands of twerk video uploads on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. What started in New Orleans had become a global dance phenomenon.
This surge in popularity did spark conversations about cultural appropriation and context. Twerking originated in Black culture, so when it was popularized by a white pop star, many observers pointed out that this raw, expressive dance was being divorced from its cultural roots and sanitized or sensationalized for a mass audience. Nevertheless, the exposure also led to broader appreciation of the dance and its origins. People began to recognize and credit the influence of bounce music and West African dance in what they were seeing on TV.
Today, twerking is both a mainstream pop culture staple and a respected dance style taught by professionals around the world. There are international twerking competitions, and dancers can gain fame as “twerk queens” in their own right. For example, Polish dancer Claudia Kowalczyk (also known as “Redheaded” on social media) was crowned a twerking champion in a 2017 competition, earning her the nickname the “Twerk Queen” of Poland. She and many others have built careers around twerk dance, offering workshops and online tutorials. Twerking has truly come full circle: from local party floors to global stages and back to dance studios where a new generation learns to shake it.
Ready to shake it? Learning how to twerk might seem intimidating, but with a bit of practice almost anyone can pick up this fun move. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. The key is to loosen up, find the beat, and let your hips do the work. Before you start, find a space where you feel comfortable (in front of a mirror is ideal for practice), put on some music with a good beat, and wear something you can move in. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of a basic twerk:
*Figure: A TwerkQueens.com contributor demonstrates a basic twerk move. Note the posture and the quick hip motion.*
Once you’ve mastered the basic twerk, spice things up with these popular advanced moves:
*Figure: An advanced twerk routine showcasing moves like a wall twerk and floor twerk combo from TwerkQueens.com.*
Twerk fitness classes are now taught worldwide – and for good reason. You get all the physical benefits of squats, lunges, and dance cardio, with way more fun and freedom.
Twerking’s reach into pop culture has helped normalize it as both art and athleticism. And it’s now being taught just like ballet or salsa – with professional instructors, workshops, and performance crews.
Twerking isn’t just something you do alone in front of your mirror — there’s a thriving global community around it. Online and offline, dancers come together to share moves, hype each other up, and celebrate the culture.
Online Communities: Subreddits, Facebook groups, TikTok hashtags, and forums are filled with twerkers sharing videos, routines, tips, and feedback. You’ll find support whether you're a newbie or seasoned pro.
TwerkQueens.com: As one of the most active video platforms in the space, TwerkQueens.com lets users upload, watch, and rate twerking videos from all over the world. It features both amateur dancers and polished professionals — with real-time views, rankings, and community uploads.
Local Classes & Teams: Many cities now offer twerk classes in dance studios or as part of cardio fitness programs. Some even have “twerk crews” that perform or compete.
Inclusivity: People of all shapes, sizes, genders, and backgrounds twerk. It’s one of the most body-positive and inclusive dance scenes out there. No gatekeeping — just vibes.
From ancient African roots to TikTok challenges, twerking has evolved into one of the most dynamic and empowering dances in the world. It’s sexy, sweaty, silly, and strong all at once. Whether you want to learn, watch, compete, or just have fun, twerking offers a space for self-expression, fitness, and community.
If you made it to the end of this guide, you’re ready. Stand up, drop low, and bounce that booty with confidence. And don’t forget to check out the latest videos, tips, and twerk legends over at TwerkQueens.com.
Go on — pop it like it’s hot. You’re officially a part of the movement.