I found an excellent Hip-Hop class in Palo Alto, California. I know what you’re thinking. Hip-hop in Palo Alto!? I know. I know. This suburban and wealthy town that is in many ways at the center of Silicon Valley is far from the California West Coast hip-hop scene that we know and love and definitely not mentioned in the litany of cities that Tupac gives a shout out to in his song “California Love.” While he does mention the iconic lines, “From Oakland to Sacktown/ The Bay Area and back down” in his song, I doubt that he was thinking about the South Bay and the Peninsula (a.k.a from San Bruno to San Jose) in his declaration of west coast love. Silicon Valley simply didn’t have a place in the hip-hop imagination at the time.
That hasn’t changed since the 90s even though there are definitely hip-hop clubs and enthusiasts right down the road in the city of San Jose. While Oakland still takes the cake for producing the most globally recognized hip-hop and R&B artists from the Yay (I love you E-40!), I also think you should know that in downtown Palo Alto you will find a legit hip-hop dance class: It’s called Body Beatz by Lee and the class is offered in Form Studio just a few blocks from University Ave. Lee has danced with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, and Samantha Mumba, and choreographed for artists like Mila J., Kenny and Kevin Mikal. His hip-hop class is made for those of us who wish to dance after sitting in front of a computer all day. And, isn’t it nice when they play your 90s song on the dance floor without you even requesting it? (Side note: I once requested Q-Tip’s “Vibrant Thing” at a dance party and the young DJ was like, “who?” I never felt so old).
Lee is a dance instructor extraordinaire. Upon taking the first class you immediately realize that he is committed to the DANCE itself and nothing else. No chit-chatting here. By “committed” I mean this is a 60-minute dance class with no breaks and no talking. Just dance. He choreographs the dance, breaks it down step-by-step, and has us repeat each move until it becomes body memory. I’m not just talking moves where you twerk, glide from side to side, or twirl—I’m talking moves with an attitude and Sasha-fierce persona, inspiring you to move your hands and fingers in the air like you are the best thing since sweet Hawaiian sliced bread (because isn’t that the best kind of bread?).
How does this compare to other fitness dance classes? I’ve frequented Zumba classes many times over the years. Yes, I have to admit that such a class fulfills a deep need within me to hear and dance to Latino genres such as salsa, cumbia, merengue and to sing along to Spanish lyrics. And this was the only time that I allowed myself to fully revel in a Pit Bull song, imagining I was living in Miami surrounded by that South Beach lifestyle and the international Latino cosmopolitanism that Pitbull represents. Dale! But, alas, growing up in California during the 90s with SWV, TLC, Boyz II Men, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, and Jagged Edge playing in the background, I needed some hip-hop and R&B in my fitness dance life. Where was Fifty’s “In Da Club?” Or, Janet Jackson’s “If” (which is one of the best dance song hands down). And even give me some Justin Timberlake, por favor. That “Señorita” song is hella good.
So, I went on a search. Many gyms offer “World music” or Zumba. I once joined Equinox because they had this thing called “Danceation,” but the music felt more cosmo London club house (think Bridget Jones’ Soundtrack) and less old school and contemporary R&B. There was another great class taught in Equinox called Dance Grooves by Ajia, which I loved. It featured a dance battle at the end of each class between the left side of the room and the right. But as much as I loved it, I stopped going to the lux and pricey Equinox because I figured I should save some money for a house one day instead of paying for the monthly fee.
Then we have the individual dance classes that can be purchased a la carte. Uforia studios in Palo Alto offer great classes where they give you a cold towel and one single blueberry in a toothpick after your workout. And then there is Body Beatz at Form Studio. The price range for these classes are advertised from $25- $35. I know it’s Palo Alto expensive but the reason I felt compelled to even mention this class is that it’s a damn good class. You dance for 60 minutes, with no break, and you are transported to a world of non-stop choreography. You will hear your favorite music (he did play both Timberlake and Timbaland), take on a no-nonsense hip-hop persona, and dance in a darkened room with strobe lights surrounding you as you reach exhaustion coupled with a sense of satisfaction. The high price does give you a reason to look into the gym membership since classes are included for those who pay the monthly gym fees.
The last time I went, I invited a fellow hip-hop dance enthusiast to the 60-minute class—we will call her “Serena” since Serena Williams is one of her favorite celebrities. The room was darkened, the strobe lights transported us a to a simulated block party, and the routine was non-stop. And, as we rushed to get our towels to wipe the sweat off our faces, before we had to return to form, we started singing to the song that was playing, Whitney Houston’s “It’s not right.” We heard Whitney sing, “It’s not right/ but it’s OK/ I’m gonna make it anyway.” The dance drill after dance drill, without a break, repetition after repetition, as if we were real dancers who did not sit in front of a computer all day, didn’t feel right, but it was definitely more than OK with us. It was a dose of 90s R&B and hip-hop nostalgia in the heart of Silicon Valley that we didn’t know we needed. We were gonna make it anyway.
Serena and I will have to return there again soon.
OK, now here’s some Whitney for you all:
Critical Chica 