Robinson, Fatima 1971–

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Fatima Robinson 1971–

Choreographer

Fatima Robinson’s career as a dancer led her to help Will Smith go to the Wild Wild West, teach Dr. Dre to tango, and give the Backstreet Boys some authentic street moves. She went from certified cosmetologist to one of the most in-demand video choreographers in the span of a few years and has set her sights on becoming one of the most in demand directors as well.

Choreographed for Michael Jackson

Robinson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was four. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 with dreams of following in her mother’s footsteps by opening her own hair salon. For a few years, this dream was a reality as Robinson acquired her cosmetology certification and worked as a hair-stylist. But Robinson had other dreams as well, dreams that involved becoming a professional dancer and choreographer. When the opportunity presented itself, Robinson decided to try out for a spot as a dancer in a music video. “An artist was looking for dancers, so my friend and I went on stage at the club with some other girls and won,” she explained at her website, www.gofati-ma.com. Even without formal training, Robinson was able to rise quickly from video dancer to video choreographer by spending rehearsal time in the local dance clubs and adding a flavor of her own to popular dance moves.

Robinson received what she called her “big break” in 1992 when movie director, John Singleton, asked her to choreograph a video he was directing. The video turned out to be the short film, “Remember the Time,” by Michael Jackson. Robinson considered that video one of her shining moments even as late as 2000. She also enjoyed working with Jackson, whom she called a perfectionist. “Remember the Time” was, in fact, the break that Robinson needed. Jackson was the measuring stick in the music video industry, and numerous artists in all genres tried to achieve his greatness by hiring his choreographer.

According to Serena Altschul of MTV, you can turn to MTV at any time of the day and catch a glimpse of Robinson’s resume. She started saturating the video market in the early 1990s working with artists like Bobby Brown, Notorious B.I.G., and Aaliyah. She received her first MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Choreography for Brandy’s “Baby,” in 1995. The nomination started a trend for the artist, for she was nominated each year between 1997 and 2001 for an MTV Video Music Award. To top off 1995, Robinson also choreographed the Mary J. Blige Summer Jam tour.

Videos And Commercials Won Awards

Robinson won her first Best Choreography Award in 1997 for “Been There, Done That,” by Dr. Dre. This was another video she considered a high point in her career. “I really like … Dr. Dre’s ‘Been There, Done That,’ because I mixed the tango with hip hop and it

At a Glance…

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas; one child. Education: Certified cosmetologist.

Career: Cosmetologist; dancer; choreographer; director.

Awards: MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Choreography, “Been There, Done That,” by Dr. Dre, 1997, 1997, for “Put your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” by Busta Rhymes, 1998.

Address: c/o 8306 Wilshire Blvd., PMB 833, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Website— www.gofatima.com.

just affected so many kids,” she said to Dance Spirit. This first win opened the door in 1997 for Robinson to work with the Backstreet Boys on their appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in Europe and on their World Tour. This would begin a long relationship with the group that earned Robinson the label of “Backstreet Girl.” She considered the Boys one of her favorite artists to work with.

Robinson followed that with another win in 1998 for “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” by Busta Rhymes. This was her second MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography and she pulled it off back to back. Demand for Robinson increased due to the success of her videos and the innovations in dance movements she created. Her name, as well as Robinson herself, began showing up in Commercials, on concert tours, and in the credits for award shows. Her resume virtually began to span television in general, not just MTV.

In 1998 she hit network television with two commercials, The Reebok FootAction spot and the Sears ad campaign. She also choreographed the performances of Master P and the Backstreet Boys at the MTV Music Awards, and Will Smith at the Grammy Awards. That year she choreographed many of the major music award shows including the American Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.

Robinson had also begun to make her mark in film. She made her debut as a film choreographer in Players Club in 1998. The film, produced by Ice Cube, focused on the life of an exotic dancer paying her way through college. Though quite risqué, the film included several dance scenes for Robinson to work with. In 1999 she continued to work on commercials setting the dance tone for Macy’s and Ruffles Potato Chips among others.

With several commercials under her belt, her most notable ad was the 2000 GAP “khaki soul” commercial. It paved the way for six more ads in 2000 and 2001. Robinson represented soul for the cap into the new millennium just as she represented soul and hip-hop for the rest of America. Other notable ads included the Clairol Herbal Essence commercial in 2000, and the Reebok ad that featured Venus Williams. Her commercial resume was almost as long as her video resume by 2001 and there was no end in sight.

Found Mainstream Success

Robinson’s work in commercials brought recognition from her peers when she was nominated in 2000 for the American Choreography Award for best Choreography in the GAP “khaki soul” ad. She also continued to work in movies, choreographing moves for Aaliyah in Romeo Must Die, in 2000. She reached a wider audience in 2001 with Save the Last Dance, and the critically acclaimed Ali. The exposure also brought the dancer to the attention to those at the Drew Carey Show. She choreographed the season premiere of the show in 2001 and officially moved into the mainstream with her dance style.

While her star was rising, Robinson experienced some joy and pain in her personal life. She celebrated the birth of a son on August 1, 2000, but a year later, she suffered the loss of her close friend and colleague, Aaliyah, on August 25, 2001. Robinson was with Aaliyah in the Bahamas filming the video, “Rock the Boat.” “Since 1995, when I became Aaliyah’s choreographer, she has been like a little sister to me,” she said in a tribute she wrote in Essence. “Although she is gone, I will always cherish the precious memories.”

For future projects, Robinson said she would like to do some interior designing and, more in step with her current role, she would like to direct. She ventured into that field with the Dance and Shout video for Shaggy, Cheatin’ On Me by Kandi, and a few others. After being named on of Entertainment Weekly’s most creative people in entertainment, exploring her love of directing should only reap further benefits for Robinson.