Hakken

What is Hakken?

Hakken, also known as hakkûh, is an energetic rave dance that emerged from the Dutch gabber and hardcore music movement. Danced at rapid speeds, it is defined by quick, continuous footwork that follows the driving pulse of electronic tracks. The dance focuses heavily on the lower body, from the hips down to the feet, though participants also swing their arms and turn their torso. Hakken is common across modern hard dance events, where ravers dance to intense rhythms that frequently reach 190 beats per minute.

Where does Hakken come from?

The dance developed in the Netherlands during the 1990s as a core part of the early hardcore techno and gabber scene. Its name comes from the Dutch verb for heel, pointing to the distinctive heel strikes that define the style. What began as a local Dutch rave tradition later spread internationally as electronic hard dance gained global popularity, leading to new regional interpretations across different countries.

How is Hakken danced?

Hakken centers on rapid steps that land directly on the heels of the feet. Dancers maintain a relentless pace, keeping their movements tightly synchronized with the electronic bass drum. While the action takes place mostly from the pelvis downward, moving the upper torso and arms is also customary. Individual performers have expanded on this foundation; for example, the dancer Hoeppi notably changed the style by introducing a backstep into the footwork.

The music of Hakken

Originally performed to 1990s Dutch hardcore, the dance now accompanies many styles within the Hard Dance family. These include hardstyle, rawstyle, uptempo hardcore, frenchcore, and Millennium. Music suited for the dance is also called hakmuziek. The defining musical feature is a fast electronic bass drum pulse that can climb as high as 190 beats per minute.

When and where Hakken is danced

Hakken is danced at raves, hard dance festivals, and nightclub events. It is a social dance open to anyone on the dance floor rather than a formal performance style. Ravers dance together or individually in club environments, matching their speed and energy to the electronic music sets played by DJs throughout the event.

Styles of Hakken

Variations have developed outside the Netherlands. In Australia, where people often pronounce the name like 'hack', dancers commonly perform to rawstyle music. In Italy, the Italian Freestyle style blends the core heel steps with open, improvised movements and is linked with the Millennium subgenre. Specific dancers, including Hoeppi and Andrea Limongelli, have also established recognized individual variations.

Questions people ask about Hakken

Good reading and sources

• Hakken on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data
• Videos of Hakken on YouTubeSearch results, not chosen by Ghungroo