Rihanna broke the internet last weekend when she busted out the South African dance, Gwara Gwara, during her performance of "Wild Thoughts" with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller at the Grammy Awards.
But while Riri expertly carried out the moves, it was her director Philippa Price who put together the performance. (Stylist Savannah Baker and Rihanna's choreographers Tanisha Scott and Parris Goebel also contributed to the final show.)
The Atlantic caught up with Price to talk about crafting the stellar performance.
"I wanted to create a completely new style of dance for this performance by blending inspiration from a bunch of different styles and eras," said Price. She referenced the classic show Soul Train as well as Cuban and New African dance styles, '70s disco and legendary choreographer and performer Bob Fosse as inspirations.
"The '70s was the era that patented the idea of dancing as a communal delight—people of all walks of life came together at the disco, bonded by a sincere inability to feel the least bit self-conscious," she explained. "Everyone was equal under the disco light."
Others saw references to the Harlem Renaissance in the performance and Price didn't disagree.
"The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that used art, literature, and music to challenge stereotypes and promote integration and equality," she said. "It was a movement of celebration and pride, not protest. This definitely mirrors the energy behind the concept."
As for the Gwara Gwara, Price told the site that she thought of it after watching "YouTube clips of school kids dancing."
If you haven't already (or if you want to watch it again), check out the performance above.
