Hip Hop’s Grooviest Choreographer: Buddha Stretch
Image courtesy of Little Shao
Exclusive Interview:
The year is 1997. Fresh off the heels of Bad Boys and Men In Black’s success, Will Smith embarks on a music career beginning with his debut album Big Willie Style which wins him two Grammy awards.
Who to hire to choreograph Smith’s music videos? There was no choice other than Buddha Stretch, often referred to as “the father of Hip Hop.”
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Stretch was – like all other aspiring dancers at the time – hooked on the musical variety show Soul Train.
“As a kid, I used to watch [Soul Train] every Saturday and imitate the dancers on the show. That was my inspiration for dancing.”
Beginning his dance journey as a popper and a B-boy in 1982, Stretch soon got his big break at 18 years old, dancing in a nightclub as the opening act for several artists. Stretch described this period as “a stepping stone into [his] life as a dancer and a choreographer.”
Life for Stretch changed however when Will Smith walked into said nightclub, performing alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff – this was their first performance in New York City. Stretch’s opening performance made quite the impact on Smith, resulting in the two of them touring together with the hip hop group Whodini.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith
Image courtesy of Al Pereira/Getty Images
Touring together sparked a friendship between the two. Stretch recalled:
“We had a lot of good times back then. We were kids!”
Touring with Smith, little did Stretch know that just a few years later he would earn two MTV Video Music Award nominations for choreographing Smith’s music videos Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It and Men In Black.
1997’s Men In Black marked their first collaboration together on a music video, with Stretch working as a choreographer instead of a dancer. Stretch described the experience as “unnerving” due to the scope of the project.
Will Smith dances with an alien in the Men In Black music video
Image courtesy of Will Smith/VEVO
“It wasn’t actually a music video. It was an entire movie production. [We were] working on a movie that happened to be shooting a music video as promotion.”
Stretch fondly recalled the nerves of “sitting at the round table,” meeting the executive producer, director and art department. Working alongside filmmakers with box office successes such as Jurassic Park and The Terminator on their resumes, Stretch couldn’t help but think, “What the hell am I doing here! These people are making movies and I’m here to do some hip hop! It didn’t even make sense!” He laughed as he recalled the memory.
These concerns were soon alleviated by an act of kindness from Will Smith himself, who introduced Stretch as “one of the best dancers and choreographers there is.” Reflecting on the moment, Stretch stated “He made me feel that he’s got my back. He hired me for a reason and he wanted everyone to know that I was up to the task.”
The sci-fi style video featured Smith dancing alongside a collection of Men In Black agents and a computer generated alien. The modernised version of the electric slide they performed defined the groovy state of hip hop at the time.
Stretch’s funky and visually pleasing choreography made an impact on Smith, who called him back a few months later for the Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It music video. Shot on location in Las Vegas and partially in New York City, Stretch recalled the initial process of creating the choreography: “we made up the steps in [Smith’s] living room.”
One year later, Stretch reunited with Smith once again for the Miami music video, which was shot in the Florida city itself.
The choreographer described the Miami music video as having a “hip hop meets salsa” style of choreography, and the experience as “one of the best times of [his] life.”
‘Will [Smith] is a really good person – not just an artist or an actor. He’s really nice to be around. He’s genuine.”
Will Smith is just one of many stars Buddha Stretch has designed dance moves for. 1992’s Remember The Time music video (or as the King of Pop called them, short films) was another highlight of Stretch’s career.
Alongside up and coming choreographer Fatima Robinson, Stretch choreographed Michael Jackson, assisting him in learning hip hop’s hottest dance moves. The ancient Egypt inspired, 9 minute long video also starred actors Eddie Murphy and Iman as well as basketball player Magic Johnson.
Fatima Robinson and Buddha Stretch featured in the documentary “Making of Remember the Time”
Image courtesy of MTV/Sony Music Entertainment
The first time Stretch met Michael however, he felt “dumbfounded.” He laughed:
“We were in the rehearsal studio, and before Michael arrives he has a double for the paparazzi. So I ignored the double. I’m working on the choreography, and then an hour or so passes and I see a commotion at the door. I’m still working on the moves and I’m wondering why they’re all over there”
He continued: “And then I froze, because I’m like – that’s not the double, that’s actually Michael Jackson!”
Stretch recalled shaking the King of Pop’s hand, who, unbeknown to Stretch, had been watching him choreograph for the past hour. He continued:
“Michael’s got questions! He’s asking me all these questions about the dance – how did that move come about? What did you feel? Does the clothing matter to the movement?
“I felt like – wow! I’m talking to Michael Jackson! I was really dumbfounded and Fatima had to snap me out of it.”
Stretch also appeared in Remember The Time as a dancer
Image courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
Even at his peak, Michael Jackson never stopped striving to be the consummate performer. For Stretch, it was fascinating to see the King of Pop work behind the scenes. He stated, “just to be in the room with him and him asking questions, him wanting information – all to add to his repertoire to make him a better performer… and he’s Michael Jackson! There’s no one better than him already. And he’s still trying to push the envelope further. For me, it was inspiring.”
As for today, Stretch prides himself on teaching a new generation of dancers. He is also in the process of writing a book on “The Art of Hip Hop.”
His advice for dancers?
“Albert Einstein said dancers are the athletes of god. Treat yourself like an athlete does. You have to train your mind and your body…athletes don’t just run on the field and start playing; they prepare, they stretch, they warm up, they practise. You have to treat your craft in the same way they do… Treat is as an art form, and treat yourself as the [living] representation of the art.”