This suite of works challenges the structural integrity of Campbell locking, house, Hip-hop, and B-boying. Now that we are a global Hip-hop nation, we seem to have become Hip-hop/street dance zealots. This purist attitude has stagnated the natural progression of street dance. Simply put, we have become elitist about Hip-hop culture. This elitism is due to this generation’s obsession with “keeping it real.” The truth of the matter is this generation will never relive my generation’s era of original dance. My generation defined the three laws of Hip-hop culture: innovation, individuality, and creativity. At best, they can appreciate it, pay homage to it, and acknowledge it as the foundational era of Hip-hop/street dance it was; in doing that, they will tap into their individuality, creativity, and innovation, which in turn ensures progress. The work’s title, Nuttin’ But A Word, was taken from a cultural phrase used amongst Blacks in the United States. The complete phrase is, “You ain’t said nothing but a word.” Loosely translated, it means, “Your words mean nothing—pay close attention because what I do next will trump anything you have to say.” Hip-hop/street dance is progressive by design. There is nothing about the three laws of Hip-hop that suggests stagnation. Nothing about these laws indicates that we as practitioners of Hip-hop should only adhere to its foundation; it is quite the opposite. Nuttin’ But A Word challenges the Hip-hop puritans at every turn and reminds us that we will not evolve as a form without individuality, creativity, and innovation.

-Rennie Harris