Popping is a style of street dance that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in California. It involves quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to create a jerking motion, often synchronized with music. Dancers use this technique to create the illusion of their body "popping" or "locking" in place, which adds a dynamic visual effect to their movements. The dance is often performed to funk and hip-hop music, and it is closely associated with the Electric Boogaloos, a dance crew that helped popularize the style. Popping can be combined with other dance forms, such as locking and breaking, making it a versatile and expressive dance genre.