Swoop

Richard “SWOOP” Whitebear

Richard “Swoop” Whitebear was born in Kansas City, Missouri where he developed an extremely unique and sought after style of choreography.  He toured internationally in high school with Willie A. Smith’s Marching Cobra’s, which sparked his interest of dance as a career. He states that much of his inspiration was modeled after the narrative and techniques of theatrical mimes- the ability to be fluid and sharp while telling a story with gestures. He applied this appreciation; along with hard-edged hip hop realness, which would soon become his signature style of dance.

Swoop cites his family as a major catalyst in succeeding in the professional world of dance. Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri he encountered many obstacles that would ultimately change the course of his life. Dance was always an outlet that allowed him to create something special out of the devastation that ravaged his community. His two brothers, Leo and Michael, gave him the motivation and the courage to carry out his dream of being a dancer. When his brother Leo was killed, he poured all his heart into dancing and now readily admits that both of his brothers contribute inspiration for success.

Throughout his career he and has choreographed music videos for the likes of Aaliyah “Try Again.” which received two MTV Music Video Awards (2001), Dr. Dre in which received a Music Video Producer’s Award (1997) when he introduced the world to the “ghetto tango” in the music video “Been There, Done That”. He received the Hip-Hop Choreographer of The Year (Male) at the Hip-Hop Awards (2000). He has also contributed choreography for music videos which won nominations for Will Smith (Wild Wild West), and Backstreet Boys (Larger Than Life). Other artists that he has done choreography for include Whitney Houston, Sisqo, Limp Bizkit, Enrique Iglesias, Mary J. Blige, Jessica Simpson, Master P, Mario Winans, Boys II Men, Mya, P.Diddy, and Snoop Dogg, and more.

He has also done choreography for several Motion Pictures like Save The Last Dance, Ali, starring Will Smith, and Marci X starring Damon Wayans and Lisa Kudrow, and has appeared in 13 Going on 30, Austin Powers: Gold Member and You Got Served.  His credits also include national commercials for Pepsi, Visa, Adidas, and Burger King, and Nike.

As Swoop continues to choreograph, appear, and direct music videos, tours, commercials, and motion pictures, his sphere of choreography is expanding into more independent projects. He is the creator of the New Hip-Fitness craze called BOOGALOO!, an interactive, aerobic, Hip-Fitness activity which incorporates today’s coolest Hip-Hop dances into fun, easy-to-learn physical activities created for young people to maintain good health and physical activity. It’s Live!