Kizomba is known for having a slow, insistent, somewhat harsh yet sensuous rhythm as the result of electronic percussion. It is danced accompanied by a partner, very smoothly, slowly and sensuously, and with neither tightness nor rigidity. There are frequent simultaneous hip rotations coordinated between dance partners, particularly in the quieter refrains of the music. Several individuals with a love of the Kizomba culture have been promoting it in other countries.

Like most dance forms Kizomba has its origins, mainly from Semba and also its evolutions, one being the development and growth in popularity of Urban Kiz in France from 2000

Urban Kiz evolved from Kizomba, when Kizomba music was influenced by urban music styles such as R&B, Rap, Dance and Hip Hop

The main difference with Kizomba is that the dancers generally have a larger distance between them and often don’t have the chest-to-chest connection as is common with Kizomba.

The figures made often also require movement along straight lines or changing direction only at perpendicular angles or reversing direction. Pivots and pirouettes of the lady are also more common in Urban Kiz than in Kizomba, although they did appear in Kizomba and especially in Semba (Kizomba was derived mainly from Semba influences), but not as much, since the chest-to-chest frame did not allow for it as much.

The Urban Music is also characterized with a more dynamic change of pace, so in Kizomba one sees more slow transitions, accelerations and breaks (standing still in one pose). Contratempos are also often performed and preferably in sync with the Kizomba-beat. Characteristic for Urban Kiz are also the feint movements of the legs of the men and the hip movements or popping of the lady especially on tarraxinha-like music.