What is locking?
Locking is a joyful, comic funk dance of sudden "locks" — freezing in a position — plus wrist rolls, points, knee drops and splits. It is performed with a big smile and plenty of audience interaction.
History
Don Campbell created locking (originally "Campbellocking") in Los Angeles around 1970. His crew The Lockers, featuring Toni Basil, Shabba-Doo and others, brought it to TV on Soul Train and Saturday Night Live in the 1970s.
Basic technique
- The lock, point and wrist roll
- Scooby Doo, Stop and Go, Scoo B Doo
- Knee drop and splits (advanced)
Music & tempo
Funk and soul around 100–120 BPM.
Songs for locking
| Song | Artist | BPM | Key | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Days | The Apollas | 100 | C major | 1968 |
| I Love This Music | Steve Arrington & DâM‐FunK | 100 | G# minor | 2013 |
| She Loves You | Clazziquai Project | 100 | C major | 2004 |
| I Can’t Let Him Go | Yvonne Fair | 100 | D# minor | 2007 |
| Then | Four Tops | 100 | D# major | 1966 |
| Running Away (Ain’t Gonna Help You) | The Temptations | 101 | E minor | 1969 |
| Love Has Gone | The Contours | 101 | C major | 2010 |
| Live Wire | Martha & the Vandellas | 101 | C major | 1964 |
| Does He Really Care for Me | Ruby & the Romantics | 101 | F major | 2012 |
| Chicken Strut | The Meters | 101 | G# minor | 1970 |
BPM as measured by audio analysis; some tracks read at half or double the danced tempo.
All 284 locking songs by BPM →
What to wear
Suspenders, wide-legged pants and newsboy caps are classic locker style.
How to get started
Locking workshops often teach the foundation steps in one session.
Locking in historic images
Openly licensed images via Europeana; rights statements on each item page.
Recent research
- Neurocognitive control in dance perception and performance. — Acta psychologica, 2012
- Dance for neuroplasticity: A descriptive systematic review. — Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 2019
- Hip Hop Party Dance: Cardiorespiratory Profile and Responses to a Predefined Sequence. — Journal of dance medicine & science : official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, 2023
- Dance and sexuality: many moves. — Journal of sex research, 2010
- Athletic training in dance medicine and science. — Journal of dance medicine & science : official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, 2010
Books about locking
- Rock your body by Jamie King (2007)
- Drumming up character by Lindsay Rust (2008)
- Foundation by Joseph Glenn Schloss (2008)
- Hip-hop by Jim Mack (2008)
- Hip-hop dancing by Kathryn Clay (2010)
- Street dance by Emma Torrington (2011)
Encyclopedia summary
Locking is a style of funk dance. The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which means freezing from a fast movement and "locking" in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing at the same speed as before. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synced with the music. Locking is performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical.
Locking was originally danced to traditional funk music, such as that produced or performed by James Brown. Funk music is still commonly favored by locking dancers and used by many competitions such as the locking divisions of Juste Debout and Summer Dance Forever. Locking movements create a strong contrast towards the many fast moves that are otherwise performed quite continuously, combined with mime style performance and acting and other dancers. Locking includes many acrobatics and physically demanding moves, such as landing on one's knees and the split. These moves often require knee protection.
Frequently asked questions
Who created locking?
Don Campbell, in Los Angeles around 1970.
What BPM is Locking?
Locking is usually danced to music between 100 and 120 beats per minute. Browse 284 songs that fit on our Locking music page.
How many calories does locking burn?
About 316 calories per hour for a 155-lb (70 kg) person, based on a MET value of 4.3 from the Compendium of Physical Activities. See calories burned locking for every body weight.
Related styles
Popping
Fresno and the San Francisco Bay Area, California
Street & Club DanceHip-Hop Dance
The Bronx, New York, and California funk styles
Street & Club DanceWaacking
Los Angeles LGBTQ+ disco clubs
Street & Club DanceBreaking (Breakdance)
The Bronx, New York
Street & Club DanceHouse Dance
Chicago and New York City clubs
Street & Club DanceKrump
South Central Los Angeles
Street & Club DanceVoguing
Harlem ballroom scene
Street & Club DanceK-Pop Dance
South Korea
Last reviewed October 2026 · Editorial policy