Famous African American Dancers - List of Famous African American Dancers

Performance art has undoubtedly taken care of the world’s entertainment needs for several centuries now. Any discussion about performance art is incomplete without mentioning the word ‘dance’. Dance is an art form that has evolved by leaps and bounds over hundreds of years and is popular in most cultures across the world. Several members of the great African American community in particular, are famous worldwide for their epic dance moves. Some of these incredibly talented individuals have inspired many young aspirants to pursue dance as a career. Master Juba, Bill Robinson and John Bubbles are a few yesteryear dancers, who are still remembered for their ability to dance. These individuals even braved challenges such as racism to pursue their passions. The king of Pop Michael Jackson attained a demigod status not merely for his soulful music, but his impressive dance moves as well. His ‘Moon walk’ continues to be famous even almost a decade after his death. Many kids and aspiring dancers try their best to perfect the ‘moon walk’. Josephine Baker, Janet Collins and Pearl Primus are a few other noteworthy African American dancers who are legends in their own right. According to a popular online source, Josephine Baker was such a heartthrob in her younger days that she received as many as 1500 marriage proposals from several men. We present to you a list of dancers o African American dancers whom you probably didn’t know. These people have redefined the word dance.

Josephine Baker, Janet Collins and Pearl Primus are a few notable African American dancers.

The Most Famous African American Dancers

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
James BrownMay 3, 1933AmericanJames Brown was an American musician and recording artist regarded as ‘The Godfather of Soul’
Maya AngelouApril 4, 1928AmericanMaya Angelou was a famous writer, activist, singer, and actor, known best for her autobiography, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’
AaliyahJanuary 16, 1979AmericanAaliyah was an American singer best known for her album ‘Age Ain't Nothing but a Number’
Cab CallowayDecember 25, 1907AmericanCab Calloway was a jazz singer and bandleader
Michael JacksonAugust 29, 1958AmericanPopularly referred to as King of Pop, Michael Jackson created history in the world of music with his chartbuster albums
Lena HorneJune 30, 1917AmericanLena Horne was a famous American actress and civil rights activist and is remembered for her roles in ‘The Duke Is Tops’ and ‘Cabin in the Sky’
Gregory HinesFebruary 14, 1946AmericanGregory Hines was an American dancer and actor who appeared in movies like ‘The Cotton Club’ and ‘White Nights.’ This biography of Gregory Hines provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
CiaraOctober 25, 1985AmericanCiara Princess Harris is a Grammy Awards winning American singer, record producer, songwriter and actress
Tina TurnerNovember 26, 1939AmericanTina Turner is an American singer, actress, dancer and author, who is also known as the ‘queen of rock’
Misty CopelandSeptember 10, 1982AmericanMisty Copeland is an American ballet dancer
Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway was a jazz singer and bandleader

AmericanDecember 25, 1907329 views

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is an American entertainer best known as the Queen of Pop and R&B

AmericanMay 16, 1966191 views

Gregory Hines

Gregory Hines was an American dancer and actor who appeared in movies like ‘The Cotton Club’ and ‘White Nights.’ This biography of Gregory Hines provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

AmericanFebruary 14, 1946251 views

Lena Horne

Lena Horne was a famous American actress and civil rights activist and is remembered for her roles in ‘The Duke Is Tops’ and ‘Cabin in the Sky’

AmericanJune 30, 1917310 views

Aaliyah

Aaliyah was an American singer best known for her album ‘Age Ain't Nothing but a Number’

AmericanJanuary 16, 1979333 views

Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham was an American dancer and choreographer, credited to have brought the influence of Africa and the Caribbean into American dance

AmericanJune 22, 1909142 views

James Brown

James Brown was an American musician and recording artist regarded as ‘The Godfather of Soul’

AmericanMay 3, 1933359 views

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott is a five times Grammy Award winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer

AmericanJuly 1, 1971178 views

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland is an American singer, actress, songwriter and television personality

AmericanFebruary 11, 1981108 views

Michael Jackson

Popularly referred to as King of Pop, Michael Jackson created history in the world of music with his chartbuster albums

AmericanAugust 29, 1958322 views