A backup dancer also known as background dancer is a performer who dances with or behind the lead performers in a live musical act or in a music video. Their movements (especially where there are many moving together) improve the visual aesthetics of the lead performer, and provide a symmetry and rhythm to accompany the music.
Backup dancers Some performers began their music careers as backup dancers for other artists, including:
Lee Know from Stray Kids (for BTS) Kevin Federline (for Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Milian, and LFO) FKA twigs Cris Judd (for ex-wife Jennifer Lopez's 2001 video "Love Don't Cost a Thing") Rain (for Park Jin-young and Park Ji-yoon) Tupac Shakur (for the Digital Underground)Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 330. Michael K. Williams Zendaya (for Selena Gomez)
Gallery
See also Corps de ballet Backing vocalist Extra (actor) Taxi dancer – a paid dancer in a partner-dance
References
Further reading