Music Picks: Physical Funk
March 13, 2009

After choreographing for movies like You Got Served, Stomp the Yard and Step Up 2: The Streets, as well as for TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” Dave Scott is no small presence in the industry—and not just because he’s 6′ 4″.

Despite his successes, which include winning the 10th Annual American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Feature Film for 2004’s You Got Served, he continues to teach dance across the country while on tour with The PULSE. As if that’s not enough to keep him busy, Scott will also be a featured choreographer on the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars” and is working on two films due to hit theaters this year.

“I always want to impress and be top-notch,” says Scott. “I try to take myself outside of myself, to become the audience and think about what’s going to give them that wow factor.” Here are some of the tunes that Scott turns to for inspiration. DT

Arist: Chris Brown

Song/Album: “Forever,” Exclusive (The Forever Edition)

“ I think ‘Forever’ has a futuristic vibe. I want to hit hard and create an android/human choreography.”

Artist: Mario

Song/Album: “Skippin,” Go

“‘Skippin’ gives me the feeling of being in a boy band. I can see lots of intricate moves that are balanced out with grooves.”

Artist: 112

Song/Album: “U Already Know,” Pleasure & Pain (clean version)

“ The lyrics and bass line of this song make me want to use the body in the most sexy way to tell the story.”

Artist: Robin Thicke

Song/Album: “Magic,” Something Else 

(Deluxe Edition)

“‘Magic’ has a funky old-school vibe; it’s the kind of song that makes you happy just listening to it. I want to choreograph so it looks like you’re dancing purely for the fun of it.”

Artist: T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne

Song/Album: “Can’t Believe It” (clean version), Thr33 Ringz

“ This song tells an elaborate story, so I try to tell the same story through motion—you can cut the music off and watch me dance and still know exactly what I’m saying.”

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