When Did Dabbing Become a Thing: A History of the Dab and Its Origins

Ever wondered, "When did dabbing become a thing?" You're not alone. Many people are curious about the origins of this viral dance move and its deeper cultural meaning. Whether you've seen it in music videos, sports celebrations, or internet memes, the dab is everywhere.

Dabbing first appeared in Atlanta's hip-hop scene during the early 2010s. It gained major attention after athletes and celebrities started doing it publicly. This blog will explore how dabbing began, its rise to fame, and even its ties to cannabis culture.

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The Origins of the Dab

The dab originated from expressive movements in hip hop culture. It later gained momentum as a symbol of pride and confidence.

Early roots in hip hop culture

Atlanta’s hip hop scene in the early 2010s birthed the dab. Artists like Future, Rich the Kid, and Metro Boomin influenced this movement with their music and style. Their contributions helped cement dabbing as both a dance and cultural expression.

The origins of dabbing tied closely to self-expression in hip hop. This trend showcased individuality while reflecting Atlanta’s creativity during this time. Music videos and live performances often featured the move, helping popularize it among fans and dancers alike.

Emergence in Atlanta during the early 2010s

The dab first surfaced in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene during the early 2010s. Artists like Migos, OG Maco, Skippa Da Flippa, and Rich The Kid were among the first to showcase the move.

They argued that it started gaining attention as early as 2013. This subtle yet powerful dance involved a quick drop of the head into a bent elbow, symbolizing confidence within urban slang and music.

Atlanta's vibrant music culture played an important role in pushing the dab into pop culture. Hip-hop collective Migos helped make dabbing synonymous with their city’s sound and style by including it in performances and videos.

“The dance just became something bigger than life,” described Migos' Quavo during its rise. By 2015, this once-local trend had grown into a global craze thanks to Atlanta's influential artists shaping music and lifestyle trends worldwide.

The Rise of Dabbing as a Dance Trend

Hip hop artists brought the dab to a wider audience, turning it into a cultural sensation. Social media played a massive role in spreading the dance move globally almost overnight.

Popularization by hip hop artists

Artists like Migos, Future, and Rich the Kid helped push dabbing from Atlanta’s underground to mainstream culture. The move first emerged in 2013 but gained massive traction by 2015 as these influential figures used it in music videos and live performances.

Urban music fans quickly spread the dance craze, turning it into a viral sensation. Social media platforms amplified its reach, inspiring trend followers to imitate the infectious dance moves worldwide.

Influence of social media platforms

Hip hop artists amplified dabbing, but social media platforms propelled it into a global dance craze. Vine gave the move its first widespread visibility, with six-second clips showing people hitting the dab in creative ways.

Instagram feeds then filled with short videos of trending dance moves, and hashtags like #DabChallenge brought the dance community together.

TikTok eventually made dabbing an internet sensation by encouraging online participation through viral challenges. Creative expression thrived as users added personal twists to their dabs, inspiring millions to join in.

Social media influence ensured that this once-local trend crossed borders and became a staple of popular culture worldwide.

Dabbing in Sports and Entertainment

Cam Newton brought dabbing into the spotlight during his touchdown celebrations, captivating sports fans worldwide. Influential celebrities and entertainers adopted the move, solidifying its place in mainstream culture.

Cam Newton's role in bringing dabbing to mainstream sports

The Carolina Panthers quarterback brought dabbing into mainstream sports with bold performances. During Super Bowl 50 in 2016, he celebrated a touchdown by performing the dance move, drawing national attention.

His high-profile gesture on one of the biggest stages in football sparked controversy and discussions across pop culture. By embracing the trend so publicly, he turned it from a niche dance into a global sports celebration.

Celebrities and influencers embracing the trend

LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell brought dabbing into the spotlight on the basketball court, making it a must-see move in sports culture. Rihanna made waves when she dabbed at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, responding to Drake with style.

Public figures like Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau showed that even political leaders could join in on the fun.

Social media amplified dabbing as celebrities like these turned it into a pop culture sensation. Influencers across platforms mimicked these public figures, further spreading its appeal.

The dance move quickly became a staple at events and performances worldwide.

Cultural Interpretations of Dabbing

Dabbing reflects different meanings depending on cultural context and audience. It symbolizes both youthful expression and a nod to modern trends in global communities.

Dab in Western society

The dab rose as a symbol of celebration in Western society and quickly became part of pop culture. Sports stars like LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell performed it during games, turning it into a gesture tied to victory and confidence.

This nonverbal communication spread through social media platforms, amplifying its popularity among younger audiences.

Fans embraced the movement as an easy way to express excitement or achievement without words. The simple body language of dabbing also resonated with influencers who used it in viral trends online.

As a result, this gesture evolved from a dance move into an iconic cultural expression thriving in sport, entertainment, and everyday moments alike.

Dab in other global cultures

Dabbing has crossed borders, finding meaning in various global cultures. In South Korea, K-pop choreography often incorporates the gesture as part of sleek dance routines. Groups like BTS and EXO have brought dabbing into the spotlight, blending it with intricate moves on stage.

In African societies, dabbing symbolizes self-expression and cultural pride. Dancers integrate it into traditional performances to connect modern trends with age-old traditions. The movement conveys individuality while preserving a sense of collective identity within these communities.

The Evolution of Dabbing in Cannabis Culture

Dabbing in cannabis culture began with innovative ways to consume potent concentrates. This method quickly gained popularity, reshaping how enthusiasts enjoy marijuana.

Origins of cannabis concentrates

Hashish, created from cannabis trichomes, traces its origins to ancient India, Persia, and China. People used it for medicinal and religious practices. By the late 18th century, hashish-based medicines gained popularity in Europe and the U.S., where they became known for therapeutic applications.

Modern cannabis concentrates emerged in the 1970s with butane hash oil (BHO). The Brotherhood of Eternal Love pioneered this creation containing THC levels between 10% and 30%. These early innovations paved the way for concentrated cannabis products that evolved further into dabbing as a consumption method.

Introduction of dabbing as a method of consumption

The rise of cannabis concentrates coincided with innovations in extraction techniques. By the late 2000s, THC extraction using butane led to products like wax, shatter, and BHO (Butane Hash Oil).

These ultra-potent concentrates paved the way for dabbing as a consumption method.

Dabbing involves heating a small amount of concentrate on a hot surface, creating vapor that users inhale. Its appeal lies in rapid delivery and intense effects compared to traditional methods.

By 2010, these extracts were showcased at events like High Times Cannabis Cup, solidifying their place in concentrate culture.

The Impact of Dabbing on Popular Culture

Dabbing shaped online trends, becoming a viral sensation in memes and videos. Its influence extended beyond screens, impacting fashion and daily gestures worldwide.

Role in music, memes, and internet trends

Artists featured dabbing in music videos, live shows, and album art. This gesture became a symbol of coolness and humor within the pop culture movement. Social media platforms like Vine, Instagram, and TikTok turned it into a viral dance trend through challenges like #DabChallenge.

People across the globe embraced its popularity.

Memes rapidly spread dabbing’s influence through internet trends. GIFs of people dabbing flooded social feeds as users replicated the move in creative ways. The combination of memes and viral content cemented its place in online culture.

Influence on fashion and lifestyle

Dabbing’s rise in pop culture left a strong mark on fashion and lifestyle trends. In 2015, 2 Chainz launched the “Dabbin’ Santa” sweater line, which sold nearly $2 million worth of merchandise by year-end.

This success highlighted how dabbing inspired clothing and accessories that became instant hits among fans.

The trend also influenced streetwear styles and encouraged self-expression through bold designs. Dabbing evolved into more than just a dance move; it shaped attitudes toward trendy, fashion-forward choices.

Its cultural reach transformed it into an influential movement that merged style with pop culture identities.

Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding Dabbing

Some critics argue that dabbing overshadows traditional elements of dance and culture. Others point to its links with cannabis, sparking debates about its appropriateness in mainstream settings.

Criticism from traditionalists and cultural purists

Traditionalists labeled dabbing as lacking artistic value. They argued it dismissed conventionalism and cultural authenticity rooted in older dance forms. Cultural purists viewed the trend as a fleeting craze that undermined deeper, meaningful expressions of creativity.

This critique often focused on its simplicity compared to traditional dances with richer histories.

In politics, reactions to dabbing sparked further controversy. Some officials criticized its use during political events, calling it inappropriate for serious discourse. Public displays of the gesture by politicians led to debates about professionalism and whether its casual nature clashed with formal settings.

These disputes highlighted tensions between modern trends and established norms.

Controversies in sports and politics

Some viewed dabbing as disrespectful in sports. Critics labeled it unsportsmanlike when athletes used the gesture during games or celebrations. Cam Newton, an NFL quarterback, faced backlash for his dab dance after scoring touchdowns in 2015.

Opponents claimed it taunted teams and lacked professionalism.

In politics, dabbing sparked debate when officials performed the move publicly. A 2017 incident involving Kansas Representative Roger Marshall's son went viral after he dabbed during a swearing-in ceremony.

It led to criticism about blending formal events with internet trends. These reactions highlighted tension between popular culture and traditional settings.

Conclusion

Dabbing has grown from a hip-hop move to a global cultural phenomenon. Its journey reflects creativity, influence, and changing trends in both dance and cannabis communities. From Atlanta clubs to viral sensations, the dab left an undeniable mark on pop culture.

Its history highlights how simple gestures can spark massive movements across music, sports, and society. Dabbing continues evolving as it stays rooted in expression and innovation.

FAQs

1. What is dabbing, and where did it come from?

Dabbing is a dance move where the performer drops their head into the crook of one arm while extending the other arm outward. Its origins trace back to hip-hop culture in Atlanta during the early 2010s.

2. When did dabbing become popular?

Dabbing gained mainstream attention around 2015 when artists like Migos and other Atlanta rappers showcased it in music videos and performances.

3. How did dabbing spread beyond music?

The dab spread through social media, sports events, and pop culture as athletes, celebrities, and fans adopted it as a celebration or playful gesture.

4. Why do people still talk about the history of dabbing?

People discuss its history to understand how cultural trends evolve over time and to recognize its roots in specific communities before becoming globally recognized.