Popping is a street dance adapted out of the earlier boogaloo cultural movement in Oakland, California.

[2] Closely related dance styles and techniques are often integrated into popping to create a more varied performance.

During the 1980s, many poppers also utilized electro music, with artists such as Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Egyptian Lover and World Class Wrecking Crew.

More mainstream hip hop music was also employed by poppers during the 1980s, including Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Whodini and Run-DMC.

The popper can also choose to follow the music more freely, such as by timing the pops to the rhythm of a melody or other rhythmic elements.