HAKKEN
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
What is Hakken?
The hakken dance is a fast, aggressive and extraordinarily energetic electronic dance style, characterised by continuous, intense leg movements that follow the fast rhythms of hardcore techno and gabber. This dance emerged as a brutal, free form of expression on the dance floors of the European underground, specifically in the Netherlands during the 90s.
The name “hakken” comes from the Dutch verb “hakken”, which means “to chop”, “to cut” or “to strike hard”, referring both to the repetitive, powerful style of the moves and to the sound of heels hitting the floor to the beat of the kick drum. It also specifically refers to the heels of the feet, since traditional hakken technique emphasises stepping with the heel to mark every kick in the music.
Hakken dance is one of the purest and most visceral expressions of electronic rave culture. Unlike more stylised or choreographed dances, hakken celebrates physical intensity, extreme cardiovascular stamina and the direct connection between the dancer's body and the brutal kicks of hardcore music.
History of Hakken
The original hakken dance dates back precisely to the early 90s in the Netherlands, within the explosive gabber and hardcore techno scene that was revolutionising the European electronic music landscape. During this formative period, the underground clubs of Rotterdam and Amsterdam became cultural laboratories where young ravers looked for physical ways to express the brutal intensity of the music around them.
The music that goes with hakken dance is specifically known as “hakmuziek” in Dutch, literally “hakken music”, referring to the hardcore and gabber tracks optimised for this dance style with their characteristic kicks between 160-200+ BPM.
Evolution alongside Hardcore
The explosive rise of hardcore as a music genre, with BPMs above 170-180 and often reaching 200-220 BPM, directly drove the growth and evolution of hakken dance. During the 90s and 2000s, hakken became hugely popular at raves, underground clubs and massive festivals such as the legendary Thunderdome, becoming a symbol of youthful rebellion, unbridled energy and total rejection of established social conventions.
The Thunderdome events, which began in 1992, not only featured the most extreme DJs and producers of hardcore music but also became spaces where hakken dance evolved in public. Thousands of ravers dressed in the characteristic gabber look (shaved heads, tracksuits, Nike Air Max) filled industrial hangars, creating a visual sea of legs moving in sync with the brutal kicks.
Hakken Dance and Social Media
Although hakken dance was born in the pre-digital era, it has experienced an extraordinary revival in the age of social media. TikTok has become a viral phenomenon, with thousands of videos showing both the traditional technique and modern, creative interpretations of the style.
The visual, striking nature of hakken makes it perfect for TikTok's short video format. Users have created challenges, tutorials and variations of hakken that have introduced the style to completely new audiences who had never experienced the original hardcore rave culture.
Europapa and Joost Klein
One of the most significant recent moments for hakken dance in mainstream culture came with Joost Klein and his viral track “Europapa”. This Dutch artist integrated visual elements of hakken dance and the gabber aesthetic into his Eurovision 2024 performance, introducing the style to millions of viewers worldwide who had never heard of the genre.
The hakken dance that Joost Klein performed in “Europapa” is a modernised, accessible version of the traditional style, keeping its characteristic energy but adapting it to a pop performance context. This cultural moment showed that hakken, decades after its underground birth, still has the power to capture the imagination of the mass audience.
Hakken dance Europapa became a viral search term, with millions of people trying to understand the cultural context of the dance they had seen on the Eurovision stage. This built a fascinating bridge between the underground hardcore subculture and mainstream pop culture, introducing a new generation to the world of hakken.
What makes Hakken unique?
Fast, Constant Rhythm
Hakken dance is characterised by an extraordinarily fast rhythm in which the feet literally never stop moving. This constant movement for minutes or even hours requires exceptional cardiovascular stamina and is a significant physical challenge even for experienced dancers.
Physical and Emotional Release
Hakken lets you release tension and emotions in a unique way. The physical intensity of the dance, combined with extreme hardcore music, creates an almost cathartic state in which dancers can express aggression, frustration, joy or any intense emotion in a constructive, communal way.
A Style Without Strict Rules
Unlike more formal dances, hakken favours improvisation and personal expression. Although there are fundamental techniques and recognisable moves, the style values energy, authenticity and connection with the music over perfect technical execution.
Constant Fusion and Evolution
Hakken has shown an extraordinary ability to fuse with other styles such as Jumpstyle, Streetfight and modern variants. This versatility has allowed the dance to keep evolving while keeping its hardcore essence.
Hardcore Iconography and Aesthetics
Hakken dance is inseparably linked to a specific visual aesthetic: sportswear (especially tracksuits), trainers (classic Nike Air Max) and a visually aggressive attitude that reflects the intensity of the music. This aesthetic is not superficial; it is an integral part of hakken's cultural identity.
Basic Hakken Steps
Although it is a free style, there are common patterns you can practise:
1. Fast Alternating March
Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart.
Start alternating your feet forwards or backwards at high speed, like running on the spot.
Keep the toes slightly raised for more control.
2. Lateral Travel
Do the same march, but move your body to the sides.
This creates flow and visual dynamism.
3. Doubles and Cuts (Rhythm variation)
Add more pronounced jumps every 4 or 8 counts.
Combine them with spins or changes of direction.
ℹ️ Tip: Train with hardcore music between 180-200 BPM. Tracks by Angerfist, Mad Dog or Anime are ideal for practising.
Learn with this Hakken Video Tutorial
What to look for in the video:
- Starting position and body posture
- The specific movement of each foot
- Heel contact with the floor
- Speed and rhythm with the music
- Transitions between moves
- The dancer's expression and energy
Don't Confuse Gabber with Hakken!
Although they are often mentioned together, Gabber and Hakken are not the same. It is crucial to make this distinction to understand hardcore culture correctly.
What is Gabber?
Gabber is not a dance style but a complete musical and social subculture born in the Netherlands in the early 90s. It is characterised by:
Music:
- Extreme hardcore techno with BPMs between 180 and 220+
- Distorted, brutal kicks
- Dark, aggressive atmospheres
- Iconic producers such as Paul Elstak, Neophyte, Rotterdam Terror Corps
Aesthetic:
- Shaved heads or very short haircuts
- Tracksuits (usually Adidas, Puma, Australian)
- Nike Air Max trainers (specifically the classic models)
- Oversized sportswear
- A visually aggressive, anti-establishment attitude
Cultural attitude:
- Conscious rebellion against the mainstream
- Rejection of established social conventions
- A strong sense of community among gabbers
- An anti-commercial philosophy (although, paradoxically, it achieved mass popularity)
Iconic events:
- Thunderdome (the defining gabber event)
- Masters of Hardcore
- Dominator
- Defqon.1 (hardcore areas)
And Hakken Dance?
On the other hand, hakken is specifically the dance style associated with hardcore music, especially within gabber culture. While gabber defines the whole identity (music, aesthetics, attitude), hakken is how that music is danced.
Relationship:
- Gabber = Whole culture + Music + Aesthetics
- Hakken = A specific dance within that culture
- You can do hakken without being a gabber (just enjoying the dance)
- But traditional gabbers definitely do hakken
Guide to Start Dancing Hakken
Listen to hardcore music with high BPMs.
Start with the basic march in front of a mirror.
Film your sessions to see your progress.
Watch references from professional dancers.
Link simple steps with travelling.
Dance without fear of mistakes: the style values energy more than precision.
The Hakken is much more than jumping to the beat of hardcore. It is a way of connecting body and music in an almost tribal state. Whether at a festival or in your bedroom, this style invites you to break the mould and release energy to the max. Put your headphones on and start moving!
First Official Hakken Workshop in Spain
On 1 November, Adrenaline held the first official Hakken workshop ever held in Madrid, a milestone for the hardcore community and for the development of this dance style in Spain.
The aim of the session was to offer attendees a safe, accessible space where they could learn the technical basics of Hakken, understand its structure, improve their musicality and develop their own personal style. The session lasted two hours and was led by several members of the Adrenaline team, who structured the class progressively to guarantee clear learning adapted to all levels.
During the workshop we worked on the following:
-
Introduction to Oldschool and Newschool Hakken:
An explanation of the rhythmic base, posture, leg movement and arm accompaniment. -
Combinations and transitions:
Exercises designed so students could connect steps, improve coordination and adapt the movement to the beat. -
Guided sequence:
A simple sequence that let everyone apply everything they had learned together. -
Free practice:
A final space for each participant to express themselves personally, reinforcing the idea that every dancer develops their own style.
The workshop also had an inclusive, respectful atmosphere in line with the core values of rave culture and PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity & Respect). Adrenaline works actively to create spaces free of prejudice, judgement or outside pressure, where anyone can learn to dance regardless of their level or experience.
This first edition has been an important step in consolidating the presence of Hakken in Madrid and in driving a growing community interested in hardcore culture, dance and creative development.
Adrenaline will keep offering workshops, meetups and activities aimed at expanding this culture and supporting everyone who wants to be part of it.
