How to Do the “Watch Me” (Whip/Nae Nae) Dance

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Plus, learn the history behind this viral dance trend

Co-authored by Yolanda Thomas and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: December 21, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Mastering the Basics
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• Adding Extra Moves
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• Whip and Nae Nae Lore
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• Video
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• Q&A

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Rapper Silento’s popular song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" didn’t just go viral for its catchy lyrics—everyone suddenly wanted to know how to do the dance, too. And while it looks complicated, it’s a lot easier than you’d think. In this article, we’ll break down the Nae Nae, walking you through the basics, how to throw in some bonus moves, and even diving into the lore behind the song and dance. Read on, and you’ll be tearing up the dance floor at your next party!

How to Whip and Nae Nae (Step-by-Step)

1. Lower into a squat with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Put your left hand in a fist and swing your left arm in front of you to chin level.
3. Bounce your hips up and down as you hold the position.
4. Raise your right arm over your shoulder with your hand open.
5. Swing your hips side-to-side as you move your right shoulder back and forth.
6. Repeat these steps until you get the hang of the dance.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Mastering the Basics of the Whip and Nae Nae

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1. 
   1
   Lower into a squat with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart. Keep your core engaged and your back leaning slightly forward. Point your toes out at a 45-degree angle and keep your thighs parallel with the ground.

   • A slight arch in your back adds a touch of sensuality to the pose.
   • This can be a very challenging position to hold because it really works your leg muscles. Take a break if you need to.
2. 
   2
   Swing your left arm in front of you to chin level, with your hand in a fist. This will set you up for the “whip.” Think of it like holding an imaginary steering wheel with one hand. Rotate your arm from side to side as you bring it to chin level and pump it in front of you, like you are driving a car.

   • Keep your right arm hanging loosely at your side or resting on your hip.
   • Try not to let your extended arm drop down in front of you while you dance.
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3. 
   3
   Pulse your hips up and down in small movements, keeping your arm up. This is the move known as the “whip.” Maintain the squat position as you finish swinging your arms and bounce your hips, keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. Your knees will bend slightly while you bob up and down, but most of the motion should come from your hips and core.

   • You can also move your hips from side to side as you move up and down.
4. 
   4
   Raise your right arm over your shoulder with your hand open. Let your left arm hang down as you raise your open right hand. Continue rocking your hips while you do this. This move is known as the “nae nae.” Your hand will be open in the air, as if you’re waving to someone.

   • Move your shoulders from front to back in a subtle shimmy to swing your arm while you’re swaying your hips.
5. 
   5
   “Whip” on both sides, alternating between your left and right arms. This is the same motion you made previously, but sped up and switching arms. Raise your left arm first, and then as you bring it back down, raise your right arm.

   • For extra emphasis, stomp with the opposite foot while you raise your arm. For example, when you raise your left arm, stomp down with your right foot.
6. 
   6
   Raise your left arm over your shoulder to repeat the nae nae. Let your right arm hang down as you repeat the nae nae on the other side. Remember to keep your hand open with your palm facing out as you sway your hips.

   • Add some flair by bending your knees towards the ground as you nae nae to sink lower. Changing levels is a technique dancers use to make their performance more interesting.
7. 
   7
   Practice combining all the moves and repeating them. Now that you know the basic moves, work on doing them faster until you can dance to the tempo of the song. Practice them slowly to make sure you have the technique down, then gradually build up speed.

   • You can add in some freestyle moves or other hip hop dance moves to mix it up.

   How to Practice the Whip and Nae Nae

   Watch a video tutorial online. It can help to see someone guiding you through the steps.

   Dance in front of a mirror. You’ll be able to see what you look like and what can use improvement.

   Take a hip hop dance class. Even if you don’t learn the whip and nae nae, you’ll work on different techniques and skills that will improve any dance that you do.

   Invite your friends over for a dance party. It’s a lot more fun to learn a new dance with your friends. You can all work on the moves together.
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Section 2 of 3:

Adding Extra Moves to the Whip and Nae Nae

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1. 
   1
   Try the stanky leg if you want to mix up the “whip” part of your dance. Squat and plant your feet on the ground, then stick one of your legs out. Lean your entire body away from that leg while you move your planted foot in small circular motions. Your foot shouldn’t come off the ground while you’re rotating it.

   • The stanky leg feels most natural if you do it with the leg that’s opposite to whichever arm you have out in front of you. For example, if your right arm is raised, do the stanky leg with your left.
2. 
   2
   Incorporate the “watch me” move to show a little attitude. This motion is similar to the whip move, except you’re alternating raising your arms in front of you to the beat of the music. As your left arm drops down, your right arm rises, and vice versa.

   • Move your shoulders up and down while you swing your arms, too, for a more dramatic effect.
3. 
   3
   Do the “duff” to add a military vibe to your dance. This move looks like a soldier marching. Bend your right arm at the elbow as you lift it to your chest, raising your right knee at the same time. Then repeat on the left side. Make the motions sharp and clean.

   • You can tilt your head towards the arm and leg that are being lifted to exaggerate the dance move, too.
   • Put your hands into fists when you’re bending your arm up for a more pronounced movement.
4. 
   4
   “Break” your legs for a cool visual effect. No, you won’t literally be breaking your legs. It’s just the name for this dance move. Stand with your legs together, then bend your knees and swing your legs from side to side. Keep your knees pressed tightly together the whole time as you cross your arms below the hip line vigorously.

   • Keep your legs loose to move more fluidly. The stiffer you are, the more awkward you’ll look.
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Section 3 of 3:

The Lore Behind the Whip and Nae Nae

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1. 1
   The “whip” came out in the early 2000s, while the “nae nae” came out in 2013. Although they wouldn’t see popularity until 2015, the “whip” and “nae nae” have been making waves in the dancing community for some time now. The “whip” originated in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early 2000s, while the “nae nae” wouldn’t arrive until 2013 with the Atlanta quintet WeAreToonz, when they dropped a YouTube video showing off the dance.
2. 2
   The rapper Silento popularized the whip and nae nae. In May 2015, Atlanta rapper Silento released the song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” which brought widespread attention to the whip and nae nae dances, propelling them into mainstream pop culture. Soon, people all over the world would be performing the dance, from students in school to celebrities like Dwight Howard, Stephen Curry, Hillary Clinton, and Miley Cyrus.

   • The song is globally popular, having 1.9+ billion views on YouTube. That’s over 20% of the global population!
   • “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) also reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
   • The dance has even received attention from the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, who gave public props to a police officer who did the dance with a teenager back in late 2015.
   • Silento was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2021. Since his arrest and conviction, Silento’s song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” has received new attention due to the shocking circumstances surrounding the case.
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  How do I do the "superman" move?

  

  Community Answer

  As if you were about to plunge into water, you need to pull your hands apart, moving your head and the rest of your body forward. Then you lift one of your legs as if you were flying, and voila!

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  How do I do the shaky leg?

  

  AdviceColumn234

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  Lift your heel with your toes on the ground, then tilt your leg to right and left to the beat.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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