WU Cypher Brings Hip-Hop Dance Battle Excitement to Risa Commons

Washington University's dance group showcases diverse styles and community spirit at their 'Who's Hungry: Reunion' event.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring sharp, angular shapes in black, white, and red, capturing the dynamic movement and competitive spirit of a hip-hop dance battle.The vibrant energy and diverse styles of WU Cypher's dance battles bring the Washington University community together in a celebration of hip-hop culture.St. Louis Today

On April 4, Washington University's hip-hop dance group WU Cypher transformed Risa Commons into an energetic battleground for their 'Who's Hungry: Reunion' event. Spectators formed a circle around competing dancers who showcased a variety of styles, from breakdancing and popping to locking and waacking, all set to a pulsing DJ-curated soundtrack. Despite the competitive spirit, the dancers supported and taught each other new moves after their performances, exemplifying WU Cypher's mission to build a welcoming community around the art of hip-hop dance.

Why it matters

WU Cypher's dance battles highlight the diverse styles that fall under the 'hip-hop' umbrella, from funk-infused locking to disco-inspired waacking. By bringing together students and local dancers, the group aims to make dance accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers often associated with elite or exclusive dance communities.

The details

During the 'Who's Hungry: Reunion' event, dancers from different backgrounds faced off against each other, with the DJ randomly selecting the music they had to improvise to. This added an extra layer of difficulty, forcing the dancers to showcase their creativity and adaptability. Between rounds, the competitors would teach each other new moves, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and shared passion for the art form.

  • The 'Who's Hungry: Reunion' event took place on April 4, 2026 at Risa Commons on the Washington University campus.
  • WU Cypher hosts workshops open to students and the St. Louis community around twice a month.

The players

WU Cypher

Washington University's hip-hop dance group that specializes in teaching and showcasing a variety of styles, including breakdancing, popping, locking, and waacking.

Jackie Zhang (Yansanity)

Sophomore and co-president of WU Cypher, who emphasizes the group's mission to make dance accessible and inclusive for all.

Alice Xu (Bgirl Stylez)

Senior and co-president of WU Cypher, who explains the diverse musical styles associated with different hip-hop dance genres.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We try to teach every type of hip-hop that there is. Hip-hop is an umbrella term — you see the waackers, the poppers, the lockers — they all fall under that category.”

— Jackie Zhang, Co-President, WU Cypher

“Each dance style [dances] to a different type of music, like for locking and popping, it's maybe funk music, and for waacking it's disco, … [and] for breaking, there's a certain beat pattern that matches.”

— Alice Xu, Co-President, WU Cypher

“Our mission is to make dance a community rather than something to gatekeep. We are always trying to host workshops that teach students, beginners. We really want to show that anyone can dance and anyone can have fun.”

— Jackie Zhang, Co-President, WU Cypher

What’s next

WU Cypher plans to travel to more dance battles and eventually compete with the National College Breaking Association as they continue to grow their presence in the hip-hop dance community.

The takeaway

WU Cypher's inclusive approach to hip-hop dance, embracing diverse styles and welcoming both students and local dancers, exemplifies how the art form can bring a community together through shared passion and creative expression.