As big things happened within the community, I took notes, did a few extra interviews and updated what I could. I took a break from promoting the film as I dealt with moving to Los Angeles and other aspects of my career. Although I originally expected to do a wide release after principle filming was done, there were some hang-ups in terms of distribution. Winning Best Urban documentary at the Southern Black Writers and Artists film festival, and being an official selection of the prestigious San Diego Black film festival in addition to a few others.Īnyone who saw the original version of the film will notice there have been a few revisions over the years. The film went on to do a modest festival tour, picking up a special Jury award from the indie Memphis film festival. Rico, and G-Nerd during Q&A at the Indie Memphis Film festivalĪlthough my thesis was originally only supposed to be a short, I expanded the film after graduation to create something for the general public. I also wanted to help ensure that the dance would be associated with all of the hard-work, artistry, and positivity that surrounded the community I was getting to know. I could tell that Jookin was about to take off globally and wanted to do my part to help it become a household name. I wanted to get the word out about the good that the dance was contributing to our city. I reached out to Young Jai and he put me in touch with Tarrik Moore who had recently founded the UDIG Jookin academy, and from there I began to immerse myself in the world of Jookin. I saw that there was great Jookin’ material being produced and promoted by Young Jai at the time, but I thought it would be a great idea to compile the past, present, and future of the art together into a documentary from the perspective of someone who knew nothing about the dance. When it came time to pick a topic for a film, it was a no-brainer. I had been introduced to the Jookin’ world by a friend when I moved to Memphis for school and thought it was an amazing art. Memphis Movement started as the thesis project for my film degree at the University of Memphis Thanks so much for wanting to learn more about the film! Poster at the San Diego Black Film Festival Get an inside look into the culture inspired by this style that has been hidden from the world for over 20 years, now making its way into the mainstream thanks to the efforts of the Udig Dance Academy and rising dance legends like Daniel Price, Dr Rico, G-Nerd, Ladia Yates and Lil Buck!įilmed from 2009-2013 and Featuring commentary from Memphis celebrities Crunchy Black (3-6 Mafia), Al Kapone, Lil Wolf (G-style), Young Jai, and Tarrik Moore (Udig), Memphis Movement is sure to wow you, getting you up to speed on the life-changing value of this historic art form which hails from the Birthplace of Rock and roll and the home of the blues. Jookin, (aka gangsta walkin, buckin, choppin,) is an art form like none other, defying the laws of physics with freestyle movement and hip hop swag.īorn from the “gangsta” music and mindset of the Memphis club scene in the late 80’s, Jookin has evolved into an outlet for urban youth in a city that often leads the nation in violent crimes. Rico believes in using hip-hop dance to empower others by uplifting tradition and innovating ways to raise consciousness through the arts.There is a movement rising from the inner city streets of Memphis TN and taking the dance world by storm. He has toured across the globe in Russia, France, and Canada. He is also the co-author of "The Jook Book", a book that codified Jookin using ballet terminology. Some of his notable performances include Al Capone, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Grizzly Squad. Rico has also trained and mentored some of the best street dancers in the commercial dance industry such as Lil Buck, Ladia Yates, G Nerd, Daniel, & Ryan the Mind. His credits include being featured on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and grammy nominee for Best Choreography for his work with Janelle Monae on her music video "Tightrope". He is also known for his work in helping promote and develop curriculum for Memphis Jookin, an umbrella term used to refer to styles born from the Memphis Gangsta Walk dance. Rico is a Memphis born hip-hop dancer, founding and leading member of the legendary Jookin crew G-Force, responsible for establishing UDIG Dance Academy, the first Jookin Academy.
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