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From pop legends to K-pop perfection, these music video routines are pure cardio chaos. Join us as we count down the most demanding, high-energy choreography ever put on screen, featuring unforgettable moves from Aaliyah, P!nk, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Sia, BTS, and more. Which routine would leave you gasping for breath first? Let us know in the comments!
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00:00Music make you lose control. Music make you lose control.
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:06And today, we're counting down our picks for the toughest, most difficult dances to execute from music videos.
00:12Don't try any of this at home.
00:20Number 30. Are You That Somebody, Aaliyah.
00:24This acclaimed hip-hop single from 1998's Dr. Doolittle received an especially dance-heavy music video.
00:31Choreographed by Fatima Robinson, the dancing is pure hip-hop and R&B goodness, if quite difficult.
00:45Aaliyah and the backup dancers obviously make it look more easy than it looks.
00:49Then, to top it off, Robinson's choreography goes into a group flamenco routine at the end that really ups the
00:55ante.
00:56The result is a seamless blend of the fluid sensuality of both dance traditions.
01:07Fun fact, this was shot in the famous Batcave of the 1966 Batman series.
01:12Who knew it could be such a good dance venue?
01:14Fun fact, if I let you know
01:17You can tell your body
01:19I'll tell my body
01:20Number 29. Try. Pink.
01:24Try to resist the dance routines to this song.
01:26One of Pink's most successful singles off her sixth album,
01:30Try received a music video which Pink herself called one of the most beautiful in her career.
01:35Sometimes I think that it's better
01:39To never ask why
01:41Choreographed by Golden Boys of Madonna and Britney Spears fame,
01:46the video sees Pink and her love interest pulling off a truly wild contemporary dance routine.
01:51With acrobatic tumbling, rolling, and muscular leaps,
01:54the routine was inspired by a Parisian street dance known as the Apache dance,
01:58perfect for depicting a troubled relationship.
02:01And there is gonna be a flame
02:04Where there is a flame
02:06Someone's bound to get burned
02:08Pink also later performed the song's complicated routine live,
02:12with vocals and all.
02:14Now that's tough.
02:15You gotta get up and try, try, try
02:19You gotta get up and try, try, try
02:24Number 28. Hips Don't Lie.
02:27Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.
02:29Few people can best Shakira when it comes to using her truthful hips.
02:32This global smash hit received an especially infectious music video,
02:37directed by Sophie Muller.
02:38You make a woman go mad
02:40So be wise and keep on
02:43Reading the size of my body
02:45Suffice it to say,
02:46Shakira's signature belly dancing is one of the most difficult moves to execute.
02:50Just the amount of control involved in doing the hip thrusts
02:53takes plenty of strength and discipline.
02:55I'm on tonight, you know my hips don't lie
02:58And I'm starting to feel you, boy
02:59Come on, let's go
03:02Naturally, the music video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography
03:07And, of course, Shakira performed both the song and routine live as recently as 2025
03:12Because we can't ever forget about her preternatural talent
03:30Number 27. Storm 2. Generation
03:34We're calling it early because the choreography on display here is really that impressive
03:45The music video of Generation Storm, an electro-rock number, was directed by Romain Gavras with French dance producer Surkine.
03:53Set in a rough-and-tumble British boarding school, chain-smoking schoolboys and all,
03:57The choreography by Damien Gavras is anything but rough
04:07With excellent group synchronization and timing, a class photo becomes a showpiece of barely-tempered desperation and disaffection
04:15The result is hypnotic, and not at all as easy as it looks
04:19We recommend keeping a close eye on these generational talents
04:23It feels like a drug drug drug and a love, love, love, love until the song pops so
04:29Number 26. Move, Damien
04:39Leave it to K-pop to deliver some of the hardest music video choreography yet, in more than one sense
04:46Singer Damien's 2017 pop R&B single got a sultry music video, directed by high-quality Phish and choreographed by
04:54Koraru Sugawara
05:00With its controlled, fluid and sharply angular moves, moves routines have a unique androgynous character
05:07Differing from the usual gendered choreography of K-pop
05:10Damien and Sugawara even do a twisty duo performance that is especially technical
05:15The result is a fluidity that is both virtuosic and captivating
05:19This is definitely for professionals only
05:30Number 25. Praise You, Fatboy Slim
05:34This modestly successful single by British big beat musician Fatboy Slim is one few people can dance to
05:48Directed by Spike Jonze and Roman Coppola, Praise You's music video contains deceptively simple choreography
05:54And one of the few early examples of a flash mob
05:57With technical group choreography and one stunning solo, this choreography is not for the weak of Limb
06:10Costing only $800 to produce, the music video won no less than three 1999 MTV Video Music Awards
06:18Breakthrough Video, Best Direction, and of course, Best Choreography by Richard Kufi and Michael Rooney
06:32Number 24. On, BTS
06:35Oh, this dance routine is on
06:37BTS' 2020 single arrived with two visually stunning music videos
06:42The first one, however, really delivers Terpsichorean greatness
06:53Titled Kinetic Manifesto Film, Come Prima
06:56This music video contains razor-sharp moves by BTS with an even more impressively synchronized ensemble
07:02Boyband choreography has never looked this technically proficient
07:06And this is even before a beautifully executed but frenetic dance break
07:19We have to wonder, exactly how many hours did it take to pull all of this off?
07:24On became the fifth most watched YouTube video at the time for obvious reasons
07:28They really brought their game on
07:37Number 23. Here it goes again, OK Go
07:41The music video to this American rock band's popular single was a surprise, to say the least
07:51Shying away from the typically overproduced music video
07:54The video sees OK Go on treadmills doing synchronized choreography
07:58Even more impressive, it's all filmed in one single continuous take
08:10Choreographed by Trish C, singer Damien Koulash's sister
08:13The simplicity of the routine is indeed very deceptive
08:17It took the band three days of practice and then 17 attempts to complete the video
08:22Initially reluctant to release it, OK Go finally uploaded it onto YouTube in 2006
08:27It then went on to win the 2006 YouTube Awards for Most Creative Video
08:32And the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
08:36What a workout
08:41Number 22. Chandelier, Sia
08:44There are few singers who could direct the music video to their own song
08:48Australian singer Sia is one of them
08:51Collaborating with Daniel Askell and choreographer Ryan Heffington
09:05Set in just one location, the contemporary choreography is performed by talented child dancer Maddie Ziegler
09:12An interpretive dance jaw-dropping in its athleticism, raw expression and balletic elegance
09:18Ziegler's flexibility is as riveting as it is artistic
09:22Won't look down, won't open my eyes
09:24Keep my glass full until morning long
09:27Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
09:29It's an incredibly difficult technical feat to execute for anyone
09:33Much less for an 11-year-old
09:35Chandelier won several awards
09:37Including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography
09:41And became viral on YouTube
09:43For obvious reasons
09:44Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
09:47Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
09:49On for tonight
09:51On for tonight
09:52These dances are tough
09:54But joining Ms. Mojo's 24-7 live stream couldn't be easier
09:58Simply scan the QR code on screen to join us live for non-stop pop culture fun
10:20No list would be complete without several mentions of this legendary pop star
10:25Michael Jackson broke much ground when it comes to pop choreography
10:28In this music video to his 1988 hit single
10:32Jackson pays tribute to the greats
10:34Particularly the Girl Hunt Ballet from 1953's The Bandwagon
10:38The mid-century Huffer choreography by Jackson
10:41Jeffrey Daniel and Vincent Patterson
10:43Is no less than insane in its complexity
10:46Jackson debuted many iconic moves here
11:00Including the extremely difficult anti-gravity lean
11:03He also performed, of course, his signature moonwalk
11:07That most have tried and failed to replicate
11:09It is criminal how smoothly Jackson pulls it off
11:13Woo!
11:14That's cool, huh!
11:16I'll tell him everything he knows
11:18Number 20
11:18Abracadabra
11:20Lady Gaga
11:20Lady Gaga has always been the queen of mixing intense physicality with complex storytelling
11:25While pushing pop performance art to its edge
11:28We saw it in Mary the Night
11:30Judas
11:30And, of course, Abracadabra
11:40Paris Goebel totally captures Gaga's essence here
11:43Pulling out bold, theatrical moves
11:45Avant-garde looks
11:46And choreography that feels just as fearless and larger than life as Gaga herself
11:51Goebel said her main goal was, quote, to focus on the art of the dance
11:55Which she thinks often gets lost in editing
12:04For her and Gaga, dance had to be the lead character
12:07And it really is
12:09When Gaga opened with, quote, the category is dance or die
12:12You can feel everyone rise to it
12:20Number 19
12:21Motivation
12:23Normani
12:23Choreographed by Sean Bankhead
12:25Normani serves pure nostalgia in her Motivation video
12:28Anyone who grew up glued to MTV in the late 90s or early 2000s
12:33Will spot nods to Ciara, Beyonce, Britney, and JLo sprinkled throughout
12:37Bringing their respective styles together into one incredible tribute
12:49But it's Normani's sheer talent that ties it all together
12:52From twerking on the fence to bouncing that basketball
12:55She barely slows down
12:56The routine is just non-stop
13:04Bankhead has clearly thought about every detail
13:07From the pop of a hip to the seamless transitions that flow without breaking rhythm
13:11The choreography demands serious control and precision
13:14And Normani hits everything clean while still keeping that fluid, effortless groove
13:26Number 18
13:27Me Against the Music
13:28Britney Spears featuring Madonna
13:30We need to talk about early 2000s Britney
13:33For starters, that dance break in overprotected Dark Child remix
13:47However, Me Against the Music is on a whole other level
13:50The concept has been described as
13:57A cat-and-mouse sort of game between two generations of pop royalty
14:01Kevin Tancheron's choreography demands serious stamina
14:05We're talking lightning-fast footwork, sharp isolations, and explosive moves
14:10That snap right into the track's rapid rhythm
14:20There's no room for error and definitely no time to catch your breath
14:24Yet Brit makes it look so easy
14:26Beyond the technique and tight synchronicity
14:28It's layered with storytelling
14:30After all, we're watching a full-on power battle play out right in front of us
14:34Let me see you dance
14:36Come on, Britney, lose control
14:38Watch you take it, take it up
14:40Number 17
14:41Papa Oute
14:42Stromae
14:43The choreography is really the heart of the video
14:46It shows a son trying to connect with his dad
14:48Inspired by Stromae's own experiences
14:57Stromae and the dancers tell this emotional story just through movement
15:01Capturing longing, frustration, and finally a sense of peace
15:05It's so powerful to see other kids dancing happily with their parents
15:08While this one boy dances alone
15:10He really makes you feel everything he's going through
15:19The dancers execute these tight, almost unnatural-looking moves flawlessly
15:24It combines African and Western dance styles into something truly demanding, yet uniquely so
15:30On top of the technical challenge, the emotional weight hits hard
15:33You definitely need a moment to take it all in
15:42Number 16
15:43Cold-Hearted
15:44Paula Abdul
15:45We'd have high expectations for anyone who's choreographed for the Jacksons
15:49And, of course, Abdul straight up delivers every time
15:53One of her most ambitious routines has to be cold-hearted
15:56Which takes cues from the Take Off With Us sequence from All That Jazz
15:59You're the one giving up the love
16:01Anytime he needs it
16:03But you turn your back and then he's up and running with the crowd
16:07She was obviously inspired by Bob Fosse
16:10Whose style needs meticulous precision, poise, and a total feel for stylized movement
16:15And if that wasn't enough, she dialed up the physical intensity
16:18By using the set in the routine and covering the whole floor
16:29Apparently, all that led to more than the usual amount of injuries
16:32Overall, Abdul went for something fresh, unforgettable, and iconic
16:37And she absolutely pulled it off
16:44Number 15
16:45Blood, Sweat, and Tears
16:47BTS
16:47BTS brought some of their best game to on
16:50But Blood, Sweat, and Tears goes arguably even harder
16:53The hint's kinda in the title
17:00The moves follow this abstract narrative
17:03Telling a story of desire and the seductive allure of darkness
17:06And they do it with intense emotional depth
17:16And as if that's not enough, they move like a storm
17:19Switching gears, leaping through the air with insane speed
17:22But still hitting moments of stillness
17:24That make the fast, razor-sharp parts hit even harder
17:27They make it look effortless
17:28But trust us, try it yourself
17:30And you'll know it's meant for the pros
17:39Number 14
17:40On My Mama
17:42Victoria Monet
17:43Another Sean Bankhead masterpiece
17:45On My Mama also feels like a throwback to MTV's golden era
17:48While showing off Monet's own style and personality
17:51The choreography leans heavily on early 2000s dance grooves
17:55Giving nods to icons like Sierra and Maya
18:04The dancers have to fully capture that era's swagger and attitude
18:08But also bring a fresh, polished twist
18:11The moves are fast, intricate, and flow seamlessly from one to the next
18:21There's tricky footwork, clean body isolations, and a mix of hip-hop styles
18:26All needing perfect focus to look effortless
18:29And it's not just about those skills
18:31You need a whole lot of energy and flair to make it look that fly
18:40Number 13
18:41Vogue
18:42Madonna
18:46Inspired by voguing, a then-underground dance form
18:50This choreography was created by Jose Gutierrez Extravaganza and Luis Extravaganza
18:55The House of Extravaganza dancers are also featured in the video
19:05While arguments have been made about the Queen of Pop potentially appropriating queer culture
19:10Through this music video
19:11It is undeniable that she popularized the dance
19:14While voguing has gone on to become a hugely popular style
19:18Vogue continues to be the standard
19:20The act is sensual yet energetic
19:22Takes itself seriously, but is also playful
19:32If you think doing that is easy
19:35It's because Madonna and her dancers make it look that way
19:38The true intricacy shows in live performances
19:40You could probably imitate it if you tried
19:43But it can never be recreated
19:52Number 12
19:53Level Up
19:54Sierra
19:55Sierra is another of those artists who could have literally filled this list
19:58What she does in videos like Like a Boy and Ride is unbelievably impressive
20:10However, have you heard the tempo of Level Up?
20:15Level Up, Level Up, Level Up, Level Up, Level Up, Level Up, Level Up, Level Up
20:19One thing Sierra does flawlessly is play with energies to exude strength, confidence, and power
20:24Showing that sensuality can live in intense, dynamic moments just as much as the softer ones
20:30But the pace of Level Up is fast and relentless
20:32And with help from Paris Goble, she hits every single beat perfectly
20:36Even during that insane floor work
20:45That precision is what made the routine a viral challenge
20:48As everyone wanted to prove they could level up too
20:58Number 11
20:59The Pleasure Principle
21:00Janet Jackson
21:01Widely recognized as one of the finest dancers of all time
21:05Miss Jackson outdid herself in this music video
21:14With award-winning choreography by Barry Lather
21:17Janet delivers casual yet killer confidence
21:19Dancing like nobody's watching in an empty studio
21:22Then there's the fantastic use of props like the mic stand
21:25And a chair that gives the routine some pizzazz
21:36Jackson's very own style shines through in the free-spirited and passionate gestures
21:40And her charisma translates into an oomph like no other
21:43At the same time, her angular isolations are flawless
21:46And each hit is precise
21:48A dance class can probably teach you the steps
21:50But the je ne sais quoi to rock it is Janet Jackson's alone
22:02Number 10
22:03Remember the Time
22:05Michael Jackson
22:06The King of Pop was so smooth on his feet
22:08That both his style and music videos have become pop culture landmarks
22:12Take Remember the Time
22:13A roughly 9-minute epic choreographed by Fatima Robinson
22:17And easily one of his flashiest productions ever
22:19In the park, on the beach
22:21Doing me, in Spain
22:23Ba-da-ba, ba-da-ba
22:26It features a massive ensemble of dancers moving in total unison
22:30With choreography built on defined angular arm and hand movements
22:35That need to be crisp on camera
22:36The sequence barrels forward
22:38Filled with bursts of speed
22:40Striking gestures
22:41And endless shifts in movement
22:49Dancers have to go all in
22:50No hesitation
22:51And on top of all that
22:53They need to match MJ's energy
22:54And keep up with his magnetic presence
23:03Number 9
23:04My love is like whoa
23:06Maya
23:06Need a lesson in tasteful sensuality
23:09Look no further than Maya
23:10As the solo star of this music video
23:13Her screen presence screams whoa
23:15My main goal is to please you
23:18What's on the schedule tonight
23:22Even without fancy set design or supporting dancers
23:26Maya commands the audience's attention with her moves alone
23:29And makes it impossible to look away
23:31She switches dance styles like she's changing costumes
23:34Which she does a lot of
23:35And looks drop-dead gorgeous doing it
23:45Thanks to choreographer Travis Payne
23:47We get to see Maya swaying around the pole one moment
23:50And breaking into tap the next
23:52This routine just can't be outdone
24:01Number 8
24:02Criminal
24:03Temin
24:03Temin is not just a K-pop idol
24:06With the most iconic dance sequences in the industry
24:15He's a genre himself
24:16Shiny's youngest stays true to his instantly recognizable allure
24:20For this dance sequence
24:22Choreographed by Koharu Sugawara and Casper
24:25Much of the originality and difficulty in this routine
24:27Comes from Temin's hands being tied for the first part
24:37His movements are provocatively restricted
24:40Which makes the eventual unbinding exceedingly emphatic
24:43The combination of bold and dynamic steps with delicate expressions
24:47Just makes it all the more charming
24:49And that's not something many but Temin can pull off
24:57Number 7
24:58Back on 74
24:59Jungle
25:00This dance ignited a social media craze at the time of its release
25:10From challenge videos to tutorials, covers and more
25:13Back on 74 was everywhere
25:16Why wouldn't it be when the number sparked joy and that itself was contagious?
25:21The routine, choreographed by Shay Latukolin, was inspired by the greats like Michael Jackson
25:25And Motown mainstays The Supremes and The Temptations
25:28The video was filmed in one long shot
25:37Which means the dancers sought perfection to an ungodly degree
25:41And it showed
25:42The choreo struck the perfect balance between a liberating openness and careful control
25:47Add to that the immense technical detail that went into every step
25:51And you have a masterpiece
25:58Number 6
25:59Not Like Us
26:00Kendrick Lamar
26:01This is a music video that has been studied, interpreted, and analyzed to no end
26:06From the cinematography to K-Dot's pen game
26:09Fans found easter eggs hiding in every corner
26:13However, the choreography, crafted by Charm LaDonna, also deserves the highest praise
26:21Her effortless composition mirrors the flow of Lamar's rap
26:25Almost making us forget we're looking at a meticulously designed routine
26:33With culture at the forefront, LaDonna imbues a natural authenticity into the piece via improv and instincts
26:39That's what makes it one of a kind and consequently so hard to replicate
26:43When the choreographer shows up on screen herself, doing the sea walk on a tightrope
26:48That seals the deal
26:56Number 5
26:57Lose Control
26:58Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop
27:01When you look up breathless in the dictionary, this is the choreography that's pulled up
27:13Call it a trailblazer or way ahead of its time
27:16Lose Control is an irreplaceable part of pop culture
27:19Taking notes from Harlem swing like the Lindy Hop
27:22The choreography here is intense, driven by unstoppable momentum
27:34Although Miss Demeanor's body was digitally replaced by a dancer's for some of the initial scenes
27:39She does bust a move herself later on and it is bombastic, as always
27:43Executing such a routine would not only require outstanding synchronization between dancers
27:48But also impressive stamina
27:50Just Ciara's sultry duet segment is cardio enough
28:01Number 4
28:02Run the world, girls
28:04Beyonce
28:05Queen Bee has never not been that girl
28:07And with this song, she created the female empowerment anthem of the century
28:12So women looking up to her get to feel just as strong
28:20Much like how the lyrics highlight the duality of woman
28:23The choreography poses a juxtaposition of defiant and assertive steps
28:26With softer, more romantic movements
28:29There's sharp footwork, ample haerography, and an eclectic blend of styles
28:41From influences of the Tofu Tofu dance group's signature African dance
28:45The crew is also featured
28:46To touches of jazz and hip-hop
28:48This routine is impeccably created
28:51In other words, you really have to be Beyonce to nail this
29:02Number 3
29:03Elastic Heart
29:04Sia
29:05This choreography by Ryan Heffington is anything but just a dance
29:09It is poetry, if that's how you want to read it
29:11Or a play, if you see the movements between Shia LaBeouf and Maddie Ziegler as dialogue
29:23Though many saw it as problematic, the dance in and of itself was lauded
29:27It's outwardly formless, favoring a primal rawness over structure
29:31Yet not even a hair is out of place
29:39The dance form is largely contemporary, but it is given a cinematic dimension
29:44Each pose has a story to tell
29:46Naturally, therefore, anyone who attempts this routine
29:48Is inadvertently going to make it their own
29:51And that's what makes it both difficult and magical
30:01Look, we're breaking our own rules here
30:06If we had to pick just one routine per Jackson
30:09Well, we couldn't
30:10Janet is famous for her crispness and control
30:13And this military-inspired routine might be the ultimate showcase of both
30:17The perfect synchronization symbolizes the collective power of the rhythm nation
30:25And the dancers' razor-sharp timing makes you want to fall in line
30:29Even if you'd be out of step in seconds
30:31Co-choreographed by Janet and Anthony Thomas
30:34The moves speak to finding your voice against injustice and inequality
30:37Proving how meaningful movement alone can be
30:48It's not just one of the best routines
30:51It's a powerful statement
30:52In fact, say it with us now
30:54We are a part of the rhythm nation
31:00Before we continue
31:02Check out this single from Current
31:04EDM Transformed
31:06Check out the full track and album below
31:17They don't call him the king of pop for nothing
31:20Music runs through MJ's veins
31:22And dance, to him, seemed as natural as breathing
31:25As a result, it's an impossible task to determine his magnum opus
31:36However, the too-bad dance from his short film Michael Jackson's Ghosts
31:39Is as daunting as it gets
31:42While not technically a music video
31:44It can be set to serve a similar purpose
31:46The number features popping and locking that remains unbeatable
31:49Friction-defying spins
31:51And addictively percussive footwork
32:00Forget Megan Knees
32:01Michael's routine will have you rolling on the floor crying
32:04If you manage to get through that
32:06Your next roadblock will possibly be your energy
32:08Because Michael Jackson's megawatt performance is no joke
32:12Don't say we didn't warn you
32:21Which other music video do you know has a dance routine that goes hard in more ways than one?
32:26Let us know in the comments down below
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