WMPH

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video premiered in 1983, and more than 25 years later, mastery of Michael’s infamous dance is still a highly prized skill. There’s no easy way to get the hang of it, other than practice, practice, practice. The website ThrillTheWorld.com, home of the international annual event, offers a series of teaching videos which breaks the dance into 8 steps (Zombie March, March Booty Swim, Shuffle Ha Slide, Hip N’ Roar, Wuz Up, Oh Snap Rock On, Head N’ Shoulders, and Stomp) along with several demonstrations of the whole dance. The eHow article “How to Learn the Thriller Dance Step-by-Step” by Jennifer Hudock doesn’t feature any visual aids, but does offer verbal instructions for the dance that might be useful for comparison.Many people have shared their own shot at the dance online. Perhaps the best known is the 2007 viral video featuring the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC). Other popular videos include a wedding party doing the dance at a reception and a scene from the movie 13 Going On 30. Don’t view these videos as competitionjust think of them as inspiration. (more…)

Barbadian beauty Rihanna holds the record for most number one hits on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart. With the November release of her fifth studio album, it’s the perfect time to look back at her evolutionand revolutionsover the years.

1. “Pon de Replay”, Music of the Sun (2005): This was Rihanna’s first single, released when she was just 16. The song was acclaimed for its blend of dancehall reggae vocals and American dance pop. In particular, it garnered comparisons to Beyonce’s “Baby Boy,” as well as hits by Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow. (more…)

If you’ve ever wondered what a Disney-sponsored rave might look like, go check out a deadmau5 show. Pronounced “dead mouse,” the musician’s stage name comes from the mouse-styled mask that he wears while performing (and which looks suspiciously like Mickey Mouse with a disco ball in his mouth). That costume was in turn inspired by finding a dead mouse in his computer while updating his video card.The artist’s real name is Joel Thomas Zimmerman, and despite his artistic persona, there’s no hiding his popularity. He’s had three number-one Hot Dance Airplay hits, including 2008′s “Move for Me,” a collaboration with Kaskade. He’s also won three Juno Awards (the equivalent of the Canadian Grammys) for Dance Recording of the Year in 2008, 2009, and 2010. (more…)