These artists really said "watch this" and delivered! Join us as we count down the most jaw-dropping dance routines that took music videos to another level. From intricate isolations to military precision, these choreographies weren't just dancing—they were cultural moments that changed the game forever.
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00:00Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the times our favourite artists
00:10went above and beyond in their choreographed music videos.
00:2110. Motivation – Normani
00:23Before showing off her wild side in 2021, Normani was giving us all the motivation to get up and move.
00:38Inspired by iconic music videos from the turn of the millennium, this one doesn't miss a beat.
00:43She pays homage to pop greats while putting her own stamp on the scene.
00:47Choreographed by Sean Bankhead, she brings it all.
00:50Intricate isolations, twerking on a fence, gymnastics, and a basketball trick that went viral.
01:03Her passion for dance radiates through every step, as she uses movement to tell her story.
01:09Dance has always been her first love, and she's said it lets her express herself in a way she'd otherwise be too shy.
01:15There's nothing shy about her here, though.
01:17Think about it, ooh, think about it.
01:20Think about it, ooh, take a look at me now.
01:25Number 9. Vogue – Madonna
01:27Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.
01:29Come on, Vogue.
01:32Let your body move to the music.
01:36Hey, hey, hey.
01:38Vogueing is said to actually originate with black and Latinx LGBTQIA plus communities in Harlem's ballroom scene.
01:44Madonna was apparently inspired to put her spin on the style after attending one of their famous balls.
01:49In the video, she nods to those roots by bringing in Jose Gutierrez Extravaganza and Luis Extravaganza from the House of Extravaganza to perform with her.
01:59Vogueing's all about fierce high fashion poses, sharp lines, and ballroom elegance, not to mention glamour and self-expression galore.
02:16However, in the following years, it has become debated whether Madonna helped to bring it into the mainstream,
02:21or if she'd appropriated something from an already marginalised community.
02:26Number 8. Ride – Sierra featuring Ludacris
02:37If there's anyone who knows how to level up a performance, it's Sierra.
02:41She's always giving us a dose of her talents, but the Ride music video really gets our motors running.
02:47She owns every move with fierce precision, combining street smooth grooves and sensuality like it's second nature.
03:01From sultry body rolls to sharp isolations, Sierra shows off insane control and looks flawless.
03:06She said she wanted to create intimacy with her fans and does so by spotlighting her dance skills.
03:24For some, it was a bit too hot.
03:27BET even refused to play it.
03:29We love how she shows that female sexuality can be soft, strong, and empowering.
03:35She doesn't have to work hard to keep us hooked.
03:44Number 7. I'm a slave for you – Britney Spears
03:47From the moment she hit the scene, Britney showed us that she could go as hard as the best of them.
03:52She's kept that energy going with videos like Overprotected and Me Against the Music.
03:56However, in 2001, we were all glued to our TVs, tried to replicate her moves in I'm a Slave For You.
04:17Choreographed by Brian Friedman and Wade Robson,
04:21every move is a perfect mix of sultry control and popping energy.
04:25Friedman said they combined his thrashy jazz and Robson's funkiest steps
04:30to create that unforgettable dance break.
04:39With Slave For You, Britney kicked off a new era,
04:42showing her mature side while keeping her pop princess crown firmly in place.
04:47Slave for you – I won't deny it, I'm not trying to hide.
04:54Number 6. On – BTS
04:56We could have included so many K-pop artists, but we had to give everyone a shot.
05:01Tae Min's move definitely comes to mind, as does BTS's On.
05:12Why bring the pain on it?
05:14Yeah, oh, all the time, we bring the pain on it.
05:19It's practically a piece of cinema, and from the moment they start to move,
05:23it feels like they've been saving their energy only to unleash it all at once,
05:27like a shaken champagne bottle ready to pop.
05:29The choreography is pure power, and every move hits hard with BTS's signature precision
05:35and flawless synchronization.
05:37The tight, daring steps and fluid, tribal-like movements match the song's anthemic energy,
05:49and it's no surprise it won Best Choreography at the 2020 VMAs.
05:54It's visually stunning, and BTS makes sure you feel every single beat.
06:06Number 5. Are You That Somebody – Aaliyah
06:09Aaliyah's dance moves are such a big part of her legacy.
06:12It's tough to pick just one standout moment, but this one really highlights what we love about her style.
06:17I know that one of these days, we gon' go get up while you talk on the phone,
06:24but she, I don't know if that's good.
06:27She had this amazing way of owning and celebrating her sexuality.
06:31She played around with different energies, and brought a mix of strength and sensuality to every move.
06:36Say yes or say no, cause I really hear somebody, tell me you're about somebody.
06:41Her choreographer, Fatima Robinson, mentioned how Aaliyah could hit syncopated beats with incredible ease.
06:48When the music started, it was like she switched to another gear.
06:51She just knew how to sync her body to the rhythm, making every step feel unique.
06:56That connection to the music is what made her so captivating.
06:59Sometimes I'm good at that, right now I'm not enough.
07:06Tell me you're about somebody, tell me you're about somebody.
07:09Number 4. Single Ladies Put a Ring On It
07:11Beyonce
07:12When doesn't Beyonce go hard?
07:14From Crazy In Love to Run The World, Deja Vu and Countdown, the list is endless.
07:19But with Single Ladies, she stripped everything back and still created a viral sensation.
07:24Cause if you like it then you should've put a ring on it
07:27If you like it then you should've put a ring on it
07:29Don't be mad what you think I see you want in
07:32The moves are so brilliant that we want to bust out our Sasha Fierce any time the song plays,
07:37no matter where we are.
07:40Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
07:42Uh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
07:45Choreographed by Frank Gatson Jr. and Jaqueline Knight, and heavily inspired by Bob Fosse,
07:51every step Beyonce takes is a power move that demands the viewers complete and undivided attention.
07:57And just when you thought this video couldn't get any more iconic,
08:00she ends it by showing off her own ring, basically announcing to the world that she'd gotten married.
08:053. Cold-Hearted – Paula Abdul
08:16Abdul started as a Laker girl before choreographing for Janet Jackson,
08:20so it's no surprise her music video routines are straight-up legendary.
08:31She wanted to pay homage to her dance hero, Bob Fosse,
08:34by putting her own spin on the take-off-with-us scene from All That Jazz.
08:45It also let her shed her innocent image and embrace a bolder, edgier side,
08:50a risky move according to some at the time, but one she pulled off effortlessly.
08:54She also shared that so many dancers got injured during the shoot, proving how demanding it all was.
08:59All the world's a candy store, he's been juke-a-treatin'
09:03When it comes to true love, girl, with him there's no one home
09:06Routines like this cement Abdul's legacy as a trailblazer,
09:10inspiring generations of artists with her boundary-pushing vision.
09:142. Rhythm Nation – Janet Jackson
09:24Janet Jackson doesn't know the meaning of holding back,
09:27which made it tough to choose between if, nasty, the pleasure principle, and so many others.
09:32Still, and say it with us now, we are part of the Rhythm Nation.
09:36The video was her response to the injustices of the time,
09:45and believe it or not, her label tried to talk her out of it,
09:48thinking it wouldn't connect with audiences.
09:51Clearly, they were wrong.
09:52Say it's your friend, say it's your friend, say it's if you want to bend your way of pride.
10:00Choreographed by Anthony Thomas, the routine is intense and full of intent focus,
10:05through fast footwork, sharp arm movements, and that flawless military sequence.
10:10Janet and her crew make every movement feel urgent,
10:13as if they're leading a revolution through dance.
10:16Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
10:26Chandelier – Sia
10:28Maddie Ziegler is practically swinging from the rafters with those moves.
10:39My Love is Like Whoa
10:40Maya – A multi-genre, show-stopping performance.
10:46Try – Pink
10:52Pink called making this video the most fun she's had,
10:56and cited it among her favourites, and we can totally see why.
11:00Doesn't mean you're gonna die,
11:02you gotta get up and try, try, try.
11:07Pink Venom – Blackpink
11:08The fans went just as hard, getting this video up to about 100 million views in 30 hours.
11:14Ra-ta-ta-ta, ra-ta-ta-ta, ra-ta-ta-ta-ta
11:18I've burned a pain like –
11:20Bad Romance
11:22Lady Gaga
11:23Never one to shy away from pushing the envelope on visual storytelling.
11:26I want your love and I want your revenge
11:30You and me could write a better man
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11:49Number 1. Thriller – Michael Jackson
11:52We know you're Thrillered to see this one take the top spot.
11:56Jackson always goes hard when it comes to choreography and storytelling.
12:07Smooth Criminal has moves that seem to defy gravity,
12:09and that dance break in Scream with Janet Jackson is on another level.
12:14But Thriller changed the game entirely on what a music video could be.
12:18Jackson and choreographer Michael Peters crafted something quintessentially Jackson,
12:30while letting loose just enough to give the zombie horde that eerie, otherworldly feel.
12:36There's dinner, dinner at night
12:40And no one's gonna save you from the beast about the strike
12:43Every move is designed with the utmost precision,
12:46but still plenty of chaotic zombie energy.
12:49It's a masterclass in movement,
12:50and decades later, it's still one of the most recognisable routines ever.
13:02Could we have packed in even more unforgettable music videos?
13:06Probably.
13:07Let us know which one you'd add in the comments.
13:09Do you agree with our picks?
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