The Detroit Hustle is more than just a line dance—it’s part of the city’s soul. With a beat that pulses up and down every street, it brings communities together with every step. A staple at large gatherings like weddings, the Detroit Hustle seems to be known by heart by every Detroiter. But behind those familiar steps and rhythms lies a rich, layered history rooted in disco, salsa, and Detroit’s legendary music scene. So, how did this iconic dance become the heartbeat of Detroit? Let’s dive into its origins and uncover the story that makes the Detroit Hustle truly one-of-a-kind.
Oddly enough, the origins of the Detroit Hustle can actually be traced back to New York City. Now, before you click away in disgust with the thought of The Detroit Hustle not actually being from Detroit, don’t worry. As you’ll see, this dance has evolved and sprouted many variations all over the country, eventually leading to Detroit adding its unique flavor to make it their own.
Before we get to that, however, we need to go back to the 1970s, where the iconic dance was born. It originated in the South Bronx, where it was developed by Puerto Rican teenagers who combined elements of mambo, salsa and swing dance. It didn’t take long for the dance to become a common sight in Puerto Rican and African American bars throughout the city. However, this early version of the dance didn’t look like the Hustle of today at all. In fact, it wasn’t even called the Hustle; it was known as 'The 500' and wasn’t even a line dance, but rather a partner dance. Regardless, the seed was planted, and the dance began to spread and evolve rapidly.
Between 1973 and 1974, The 500 was reimagined into the “The Rope Hustle” and “The Push and Pull Hustle”. It then evolved even further into what was commonly known as the “Latin Hustle” or “Spanish Hustle”. This is when the dance would start to look more recognizable to Detroiters, as it was at this time when it shed the partner aspect in favor of a four-step line dance that repeats.
The Hustle then quickly broke into the mainstream following the 1975 release of Van McCoy’s single, The Hustle, which rose all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly, McCoy wrote the song before ever seeing the dance himself. Regardless, it very quickly became the most common song to perform the dance to, elevating its popularity even further.
Now that The Hustle had hit the mainstream, regions all across the country began to pick it up and add their own local flair. This is where Detroit finally comes into the picture, as they developed their own unique version of the Hustle that differentiated itself from the New York Version. This differentiation was amplified following the release of My Eyes Don’t Cry No More by Detroit’s own Stevie Wonder in 1987. While the rest of the country continued to associate and perform the dance with McCoy’s The Hustle (as well as Marcia Griffiths’ Electric Boogie), Detroiters adapted My Eyes Don’t Cry No More as the go-to song to hustle to. This is when the dance truly became “The Detroit Hustle”.
From that point on, the Detroit Hustle became inseparable from the city’s vibrant social gatherings, especially in Detroit’s legendary Paradise Valley neighborhood. In the mid-20th century, Paradise Valley was the cultural heart of Detroit—a hub of African-American artistry and performance, teeming with nightclubs and theaters where residents gathered for live jazz, blues, and Motown. Legends like Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie would take the stage in the Valley, and Detroit’s love for rhythm and dance was only amplified with each show. Over time, Detroit’s unique music scene fostered a tight-knit community united by movement and melody, setting the perfect stage for the Detroit Hustle to become a beloved tradition at gatherings of every size, from neighborhood block parties to wedding dance floors.
As you can see, the Detroit Hustle has come a long way. Starting in the Bronx, it went through many style, name, and song changes before finally finding its home as the rhythm of the 313. While it may not have originated in the D, the people of Detroit have infused it with their unique flair and style, making it truly their own. Today, the Detroit Hustle stands as more than just a dance; it's a testament to the city's resilience, creativity, and unbreakable spirit. It embodies the heartbeat of Detroit: steady, proud, and always moving forward. Each step reminds us that, like the city itself, the Hustle has thrived by adapting, evolving, and embracing its roots.
If this journey through the history of the Detroit Hustle has sparked your Detroit pride, luckily for you, you have a chance to experience it firsthand! Join us this November for our Wobble & Detroit Hustle Dance Event! It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the rhythm, learn the iconic steps, and truly embody the spirit of Detroit—because you can't really call yourself a Detroiter until you've danced to the heartbeat of our beloved city!
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