AUGUST 2001
HIHAT, Of HIHAT ENTERTAINMENT,
IS HIP HOP’S HIGH DIVA OF DANCE
Choreographer Holds Court and Takes Full Reign,
Reinventing the Art of Dance with Way Out Video Moves-
are Just a Sampling of Her Clients
When New York native HiHat took a dance challenge some five years ago, to fly herself to Los Angeles and battle Will Smith’s choreographer, she could only hope for the best. A hip hop street dancer, she knew she had to take the plunge to get to the next level: out of the clubs and into the studios. It was that leap of faith that catapulted her into a whole new world. She won the dance competition, and officially began her career as a professional dancer, soon to turn choreographer, and eventually establishing HiHat Entertainment.
It was her first big budget video for Montell Jordan, for the single, “I Like” that attracted industry attention. HiHat’s goal was to bring something different to the set. “I was tired of watching all the rump shaker dance moves in videos. I felt that they were ultimately unflattering to the female form. It was my vision to create sexy dance steps that allowed female dancers to showcase their more seductive ability of movement.”
Jordan was so impressed with the results that he invited HiHat to choreograph his entire tour. HiHat’s unique stylings caught on like fire, attracting Teddy Riley for the “No Diggity” video featuring Dr. Dre, and video director, Hype Williams, who continued to use her on several of his high profile projects. Racking up an incredible talent roster, the young choreographer can now claim P-Diddy, Wyclef, Mary J. Blige, and Eve, Jay-Z among those who have bust one of her moves.
Testimony to HiHat’s innovative maneuvering is exemplified in her work for hip hop’s hottest visionary, Missy Elliot. HiHat has choreographed “All In My Grill,” “She’s A Bitch,” “Hit Em With the Hee,” “Sock It To Me,” “Beep Me 911,” “Get Your Freak On” and Missy’s latest, “One Minute Man.” Elliot’s videos have continued to hold the public’s attention for their groundbreaking visuals and out of this world dance moves!
HiHat’s talents have taken her beyond the world of artist’s videos. She created the cheerleading routines and dance moves for Paramount Pictures’ “Bring It On” as well as completing videos for the movie soundtracks of “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Rug Rats.” She was the ‘dance instructor’ for Mary J. Blige’s recent US Tour and is currently choreographing Eve for her 2001 Tour with Destiny’s Child.
What’s next for the busy dancing diva? She’s busy building HiHat Entertainment into major dance enterprise. An umbrella organization comprised of dancers and choreographers, HiHat has recently incorporated her vision for movement into a new clothing line, one that integrates comfort, style and fit into the design. With a company that evolves as much as her dance routines, its only a matter of time before she introduces another facet of the business to the public.
“From street dancer to choreographer to designer of dancewear; HiHat of HiHat Entertainment continues to hold court. Bombarding the music world with her distinctive moves, she takes full reign as her Hi-ness, hip hop’s high diva of dance. Hit her web site at www.hihatent.com.