The Enduring Legacy Of Pop, Lock & Drop It: How Huey's Dance Craze Defined An Era And Still Thrives In 2025

The "Pop, Lock & Drop It" dance move, and the infectious 2006 anthem by the late St. Louis rapper Huey, remains one of the most foundational and recognizable routines in modern hip-hop culture. Nearly two decades after its debut, as of December 2025, the move continues to be referenced in viral dance challenges, features prominently in throwback club mixes, and serves as a crucial building block for new dancers looking to master the art of street dance. Its simple yet powerful combination of muscle control and rhythmic squatting cemented its place in history, transcending its initial popularity to become a timeless piece of dance vocabulary.

The enduring power of this track lies not just in its catchy beat, produced by Calvin Miller, but in the accessibility of the dance itself, which perfectly captured the high-energy spirit of the mid-2000s Crunk Era. This article dives deep into the life of the artist, the technical breakdown of the iconic move, and the lasting legacy that continues to influence the global hip-hop dance scene today.

The Life and Tragic Legacy of Rapper Huey (Lawrence Franks Jr.)

The man behind the global dance phenomenon, Lawrence Franks Jr., known professionally as Huey, was a charismatic figure whose career was tragically cut short. Born and raised in Kinloch, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, Huey quickly rose to prominence, putting his city on the map alongside other regional stars like Nelly and Chingy. His biography is a testament to the power of a single breakout hit.

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• Real Name: Lawrence Franks Jr.
• Stage Name: Huey
• Born: September 12, 1987
• Origin: Kinloch, St. Louis, Missouri
• Claim to Fame: The single "Pop, Lock & Drop It" (2006)
• Debut Album: Notebook Paper (2007)
• Billboard Success: "Pop, Lock & Drop It" peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
• Died: June 26, 2020 (Aged 32)
• Cause of Death: Shot and killed in Kinloch, Missouri.

Huey's untimely passing in 2020 was a shock to the hip-hop community, but his signature track ensured his artistic spirit lives on. The song's success was a defining moment for St. Louis rap, showcasing the region's unique blend of energetic production and engaging street dance culture.

Mastering the Three Core Components of the Move

The move's name is a literal instruction manual, combining three distinct elements from the broader world of street dance. While "Pop, Lock & Drop It" is a specific routine popularized by Huey, it draws heavily from the foundational techniques of Popping and Locking, two distinct funk styles that originated in California decades earlier.

1. The "Pop" (Muscle Control and Rhythm)

The "Pop" component is borrowed directly from the Popping dance style. It involves a sharp, robotic jerk or contraction of the muscles, typically in the chest, arms, or neck, timed precisely to the beat of the music.
Technique Focus: The key to a good pop is quick contraction and immediate relaxation, creating a wave-like effect or a sudden stop-start motion throughout the body. It’s about creating an illusion of being hit by an electrical current or a sudden jolt.

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2. The "Lock" (The Freeze)

The "Lock" comes from the Locking dance style, pioneered by Don Campbell and his crew, The Lockers, in the late 1960s.
Technique Focus: A lock is a sudden, momentary "freeze" in a position, usually followed by a quick return to motion. In the context of Huey's move, the lock acts as a dramatic pause, often executed with the arms or hands in a pointed or exaggerated pose, adding a layer of theatricality before the final action.

3. The "Drop It" (The Signature Squat)

The "Drop It" is the signature element that made Huey's move unique and accessible to the mainstream. This is the part that turns the move into a full-body party starter.
Technique Focus: This involves a rapid, deep squatting motion, often performed on the downbeat of the music. The dancer "drops" their center of gravity quickly and then rises back up, incorporating the Pop and Lock on the way down or back up. It’s a high-energy, knee-bending move that requires rhythm and a bit of stamina, making it a staple for dance-offs and club floors.

The Enduring Influence on Modern Dance Culture in 2025

While the song is a classic from the Crunk/Snap era, its influence is far from historical. In the current dance landscape of 2025, the "Pop, Lock & Drop It" framework continues to be a ghost in the machine of modern viral choreography.

• Foundation for Viral Trends: The core mechanics—a sudden body movement (Pop/Lock) followed by a low-to-the-ground action (Drop It)—are seen in countless modern social media dance challenges. Newer moves often remix this basic structure, proving the simplicity of Huey's choreography was brilliant.
• The St. Louis Legacy: The song is a key entity in the history of St. Louis hip-hop, often cited in discussions about the city's musical contributions. Its success paved the way for other artists and reinforced the region's unique dance style.
• Topical Authority in Hip-Hop Education: Dance instructors and choreographers, when teaching the history of hip-hop and street dance, frequently use "Pop, Lock & Drop It" as a perfect example of how older funk styles (Popping and Locking) were fused with contemporary hip-hop to create new, mainstream dance crazes.
• The Crunk Era Soundtrack: The track is an indispensable part of any mid-2000s retrospective, often played alongside hits like Soulja Boy's "Crank That," Dem Franchize Boyz's "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It," and the works of T-Pain, solidifying its place as a cultural touchstone.

The move's longevity is a tribute to Huey’s ability to bottle the energy of a generation into a three-step instruction. It is a dance that requires no formal training, only a willingness to move, making it a truly democratic and timeless piece of global street culture.

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