DeepSummary
The episode features an in-depth conversation with Fatima Robinson, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and director. Fatima shares her journey from dancing in clubs and music videos to choreographing iconic videos like Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time' and Aaliyah's work. She discusses her transition into directing, the challenges of managing different artists' personalities, and her approach to creating live performances.
Fatima reflects on her experience working with Michael Jackson, praising his dedication and perfectionism. She also talks about collaborating with Beyoncé on the Renaissance tour, discussing the creative process and the importance of finding a balance between artistry and self-care. The episode explores Fatima's role as a mentor and her efforts to elevate hip-hop dance as a respected art form.
Throughout the conversation, Fatima emphasizes her calm and zen-like approach to handling stressful situations, attributing it to her self-reflection and personal growth. She shares insights into the industry, including the lifespan of professional dancers, the importance of storytelling in choreography, and her vision for future projects.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Fatima Robinson has been a pioneer in elevating hip-hop dance as a respected art form through her iconic choreography work.
- She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and emotional connection in choreography, rather than just dancing for the sake of it.
- Fatima has a calm and zen-like approach to handling stressful situations, which she attributes to self-reflection and personal growth.
- She values mentoring and nurturing the next generation of dancers and choreographers.
- Fatima highlights the challenges faced by dancers in the early days of the industry, including lack of unionization and fair compensation.
- Her work with Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, and Beyoncé showcases her ability to adapt to different artists' styles and bring out their best performances.
- She emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding a balance between artistry and preserving one's physical well-being for longevity in the industry.
- Fatima's transition from choreography to directing has allowed her to take on a more comprehensive creative role in shaping live performances and visual narratives.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “No, you were in SaG, but you had to do a certain amount of tv work to get into sag. And eventually we all did because of great shows like the Arsenio hall show and in living color and stuff like that, we would, you know, we would get put into the union, which was awesome. Yeah, but see, music videos and stuff, none of those were unionized. So that was like a sliding scale of a rate. You only got that union work whenever you did tv and things like that. But if you were on tour, you know, it was kind of. You were fighting for what your weekly rate was going to be.“ by Fatima Robinson
- “Listen, that is Beyonce's idea. And guess what? When I turned to her and was like, you know, this is really fly, starting with ballads, and she laughed and she went, I'm opening up for myself. And I'm like, you open it up for yourself. Okay?“ by Fatima Robinson
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Episode Information
Questlove Supreme
iHeartPodcasts
3/27/24
Fatima Robinson is a world-class dancer and choreographer who has pivoted to directing. You know Fatima's work, from Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" to the Emmy-winning Dr. Dre-led Superbowl Halftime Show to Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour. In a Questlove Supreme conversation, Fatima gushes with passion for dance and hip-hop as she looks back at incredible work with Aaliyah, Michael, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. Fatima and Ahmir also reflect on collaborating on the two televised performances celebrating Hip Hop's 50th anniversary.
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