As the lights illuminate the stage, the dancers in famed choreographer Rennie Harris’ Puremovement dance outfit begin to engage in a rapid-fire succession of synchronized movements. As they move deeper into their routine, the audience is drawn into an exhilarating expression of Harris’ passion for dance as well as his unrelenting quest to preserve hip-hop in its purest form. Those desires pushed Harris to form Rennie Harris Puremovement (RHPM) in 1992 as an outlet to express both loves. Fast forward 17 years, and the positive results from his endeavor are staggering.
While the awards roll in for Harris’ work, some intellectuals have started labeling his performances as “choreographed social statements” aimed at the current dire state of hip-hop. Harris doesn’t see it that way. “There are many ways that people can interpret what I do, but there really is no political statement behind it,” he shares. “I’m just telling my story, and I guess people have been able to draw their own conclusions from what I create.”
Justified or not, those “interpretations” derive from the passion that emanates from the stage. Each move, sound and rhythm is carefully pieced together in an effort to express a deep love and appreciation for an art form that has served Harris well over the years. “I really want people to walk away understanding what real hip-hop dance is,” he explains. “It’s not what we see on these dance shows currently on television, so we have to do all that we can to keep the art form alive.” –dewayne rogers
