If there’s one artist who knows a thing or two about Christmas classics, it’s hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow. This holiday season Blow is on tour for most of the show dates for The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Blow will perform a short set and provide a rap intro to the show.
If you’re thinking The Nutcracker and hip hop are a mismatched pair, Blow and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) beg to differ. Tchaikovsky’s music still drives the play, but instead of ballet, 12 dancers will perform hip hop-inspired dance moves. The play also is set in New York City using digital graffiti and visuals, features 12 dancers, a DJ and an electronic violinist. Although the setting and the dance moves changed, the story remains the same: Maria-Clara and the nutcracker prince learn lessons of the holiday season while visiting the land of sweets and battling a gang of mice.
Ahead of his visit to Indianapolis, Blow discussed how he became involved in The Hip Hop Nutcracker and the commonalities of hip hop and classical music.
Recorder: It seems fitting that the person who wrote and performed one of the most beloved Christmas songs and a classic itself — “Christmas Rappin’” — is involved with a hip hop production of The Nutcracker. How did your involvement come about?
Kurtis Blow: My involvement in The Hip Hop Nutcracker came about by a mutual friend, Bill Stepheney. Bill came to my show in the Bronx and said to me after the show, “Wow, you would be great for this new production of The Hip Hop Nutcracker.” He invited me to one of the rehearsals, and I fell in love with the dancers and the music style of hip hop and classical music.
At first glance, it may seem like hip hop and The Nutcracker don’t have much in common. From your perspective, how are the two similar?
The two are similar in the story of poor people coming together to fight the system. The magic of love defeats evil and we need that today. Hip hop is the voice of the people, so the message of love should be voiced by the hip hop nation today. The Hip Hop Nutcracker voices the love theme.
People often say the classics shouldn’t be touched, however, it’s so very hip hop to take something old, remix it and create something new. How does using hip hop to tell a classic story give it new meaning or help introduce it to new audiences?
Hip hop is the number one music in the world. Mainly because of the malleable nature, hip hop has been successful fusing with other forms of music. The classical music and hip hop fusion is a natural aspect of the present culture. The modernization of The Nutcracker is a great idea for the family during the holiday season.
The original Nutcracker takes place in 19th century Germany. The new adaptation happens in modern-day New York. How does The Nutcracker resonate with today’s audiences?
The Hip Hop Nutcracker resonates with the audiences of today with the story line of people living in love and against evil. The classical music of the 19th century is great and to hear along with hip hop beats is classic in itself.
What do you want audiences to take away from this performance?
What we want the audiences to take away from this performance is to feel good inside. We want people to leave and have a great holiday season spreading love around their communities.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the upcoming performance in Indianapolis?
Shout out to NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center) for believing in this project.
Contact Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-762-7850. Follow her on Twitter @oseye_boyd.
Hip Hop pioneer Kurtis Blow. (Photo/Tim Norris)
