Among urban dances, electro has carved out its own unique path, balancing between club culture and battle circuits, underground roots and institutional recognition. We sat down with Jihane and Hamza, two key figures of the electro dance scene in France, who are actively working to develop and legitimize this still-young discipline.

A Dance That Transcends Labels

While hip-hop and breakdance were born in the streets, electro dance emerged from Parisian clubs in the early 2000s. Yet, its identity goes far beyond the collective imagery associated with Tecktonik.

“Tecktonik was a brand that helped bring electro dance into the mainstream, but the dance itself existed before and continues to evolve today,” explains Jihane.

Over time, electro has shed the stigma of being just a passing trend and has established itself as a legitimate art form, structured around battles, major events, and recognized training programs. “People used to constantly ask us if we were doing Tecktonik. Now, electro is recognized as a style in its own right,” says Jihane, president of the Citelectro association.

A Rapidly Expanding Scene

In France, electro dance is gradually earning its place. Dancers are being invited to perform at showcases, collaborate with electronic music artists, and take part in professional training programs. “We now have recognized training programs, like Capsule, that teach the fundamentals and allow dancers to refine their style,” notes Hamza.

Community-organized events also play a crucial role in this growth. “Our flagship event is Cité Electro Jam, an international gathering that brings together dancers from around the world. But we also work locally, especially in Stains, in partnership with social organizations,” explain Jihane and Hamza.

A Dance in Constant Evolution

One of electro dance’s defining traits is its contagious energy. “We have the best vibe in urban dance!” Jihane laughs. “Since our community is still relatively small, everyone knows each other, and there’s a real sense of mutual support.”

While electro dancers were once known for a distinct, recognizable fashion style, today the scene is more diverse and draws inspiration from other dance forms. “Before, it was all about movements. Now, we’ve developed real fundamentals, named techniques, and a structured vocabulary,” Jihane observes.

Electro dance is also gaining traction internationally, with thriving scenes in Japan and South Korea.

The Origins of Electro Dance: Between Club and Underground

Electro dance traces its roots back to early-2000s Paris, emerging in the city’s clubs and electronic raves. Influenced by voguing, house dance, and elements of hip-hop, the style is characterized by fast, fluid arm and hand movements.

Its media breakthrough came with the rise of Tecktonik, a commercial movement that popularized electro dance through music videos and dedicated events, including the renowned Vertifight competition. Although the Tecktonik craze eventually faded, electro dance continued to evolve, becoming more structured with the creation of international battle circuits and training programs for new generations of dancers.

Today, organizations like The LRC, Rythmic Crew, and E-Queenz Community are actively contributing to this expansion, organizing competitions and promoting electro dance on a global scale.

A More Structured Future Ahead

“It’s a young dance—we’ve only been around for 18 years. Hip-hop and breakdance have 50 or 60 years of history,” Hamza reminds us. But with the growing enthusiasm for electronic culture and the emergence of new scenes, electro dance is poised to become a staple in the urban dance world.

“We really want to showcase everything this dance has to offer. It has a huge future ahead. Maybe one day, a world-famous DJ will spin for an electro battle!” Hamza dreams.

To keep up with the evolution of electro dance, the community encourages people to follow the events and collectives driving the scene forward. “Look it up, follow active organizations, watch battles. But most importantly, come see it for yourself. Then you’ll understand why electro is a truly unique dance,” conclude Jihane and Hamza.

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