This project is my baby. I came home to Chicago to be with my mom and family, but had already been inspired to come and bring some of the best talent and leaders together to unite as one in the Chicago Dance Industry! Something this city hasn’t seen in a very long time!

Talent Acquisition
In the beginning I knew that I wanted this project to be something memorable and special. I instantly reached out to one of my favorite partners Derrell Brown to help assist me with formations, and appointing him as the project manager. During my college years we worked so well together, and I knew that out of anyone, he would understand the direction I wanted to go in, and i was absolutely right! It was so easy for us pull this together because we know each other so well artistically. Everything ran so smooth. He’s a beast at what he does and I literally couldn’t ask for someone who was as hands on as him!

Fast forward to three days before the shoot and my initial videographer couldn’t meet every requirement, so I then had to search for another one at the last minute and THAT was super easy(even though I thought that would be another task) . I reached out to my guy Tyree to ask if he was free, he said yes, and offered to come by the rehearsals to see what the Choreo looked like, to get a feel of different angels and different shots etc. it was like things were aligning the right way! Even though I knew how I wanted the video shot, I love giving the videographer freedom to be as creative and if there’s anything I see that needs tweaking, I’ll step in. However that was no need because the job was amazing! Fully shot/edited all in one day!

Creating
Creating this was fun! I made it my mission to take what feels natural and turn it into a combination. High energy, levels, moments, is what I like to play with. So finding cool movements and knowing how the dancers move, due to our years dancing together, made it so much more hype!

Location
I shot this in Chicago down near the west loop in some Grungy area!!

The Shoot
Shooting this was thee worst!! It rained so hard this day. Our first location was shut down and that really discouraged me. Having all these dancers, I had to think quick! My vision wasn’t complete. We only shot every section ONCE! I wasn’t pleased so I found a nice spot in the cut that was perfect! It was fate! I literally got out the car and looked to my left and BOOM the perfect spot! We were able to finish five min early AND got all the shots I needed! God is good!

DANCERS‼️
@thecoldestde
@Just_marcus985
@Precision_whitaker
@president_empiire1
@__kamikazeee
@queenenvi
@Shyrell_Tylee
@Orangechicminaj
@MrEvil3
@Thedopedealer
@Quellab.elle
@StyledByJacq
@KissMeImKitana
@Baddgirl_Briii
@Mze2yu
@DanceDerrell
@Zoshorty
@Khadeem310
@brandi.gordon13
@pink_bkoolin
@Frito.lei
@Ceo_Empiire
@netty_betty16
@AyeCoachMatt
@rretro.redd
@demonicadances
@mick.media
@boxxnicky
@dee_rjohn
@bossxtierra


Shoutout to my bro Tyree( @Tjwilliamsphotography ) and his team for capturing the best shots and coming through clutch to help make this vision something memorable!

Thank you to my good friend Oba ( @socrosswire ) for hair and makeup and with wardrobe assistance !
Thank you Latisha Waters & Dee Nice ( Empire CEO ) for allowing us to create at your estate!!

Thank you Matthew for giving us another spot to jam in! You came right on time bro!

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