Interviews

Published on July 29th, 2021 | by Crystal Willis

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Hype Interview: Dance Legend Popin’ Pete Celebrates New Training Platform Designed by Bay Area’s Studio T Arts

The inaugural Legends of Dance Workshop presented by award-winning Studio T Arts & Entertainment and sponsored by Red Bull North America paid tribute to dance legend Popin’ Pete in Sacramento’s McClatchy Park on Saturday. Kicked off by welcoming remarks from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, the outdoor workshop featured instructional segments led by Popin’ Pete, Baltimore dance champion TSU Terry, and renowned dance prodigy Sarah “Lil’ Mini” Phoenix. Community members of all ages and ethnicities gathered in unity under the summer sun to honor the dance icon and celebrate the launch of his student-designed website, PopinPete.com, and his Patreon training platform.

“Today is part of the recovery,” expressed Mayor Steinberg in his opening remarks. “If we all choose to invest in all the good and great that are our young people, in Sacramento and our country, we are going to have so many great things to celebrate.”

Inspired by Studio T Founder Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer’s commitment to celebrating groundbreaking performing artists, the event was conceived to protect and support legends of dance history. Popin’ Pete is the epitome of a dance legend, having revolutionized hip hop culture in his work during the 80s and 90s with megastars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Mya, and The Black Eyed Peas. Pete was a regular on the worldwide hit show Soul Train, appeared in movies like the 1984 classic movie Breakin’ and is a second-generation member of the famous Electric Boogaloos, joining the group in 1978.

I sat down with Miss Tee and Popin’ Pete to learn more about their journeys, and what it means to be a “legend of dance.” Here’s what they had to say:

Miss Tee, your organization Studio T Arts & Entertainment has served close to 200,000 students across the United States. Where are you from and how has that influenced you?

Miss Tee: I was born in Sacramento, but grew up in Richmond, CA. Growing up with a single mom and six kids, we didn’t have a positive influence in the home because my Dad was gone living life. I dealt with and saw a lot of violence growing up during the crack epidemic in West Oakland, so dancing to music videos on TV like Michael Jackson, and movies like Breakin’ featuring Popin’ Pete, Ozone and Turbo were my escape.

Growing up in that environment must’ve been hard. How did that experience equip you as a teacher? 

Miss Tee: People that grow up with traumatic environments or in poverty are typically the ones that will fight for the solutions to big problems. You don’t start out slaying the giants, but you do practice slaying everyday. With so many victories of battle under your belt, the bigger battles don’t scare you. I could give you my trauma stories, molestation, abuse, neglect – but they didn’t break me. They built me. It equipped me with a keen instinct when it comes to reading people. Also, having the experience of being a trauma informed youth myself, I’m able to dispel the idea that having gone through trauma puts youth at a disadvantage. I think it’s an extreme advantage, with the right guidance. A lot of kids like myself who were accustomed to having to be creative to survive, we learned to turn our trials to gold. I’ve watched these same youth become so innovative during covid, and it keeps them out of trouble.

Where do you see Studio T Arts moving into the future? 

Miss Tee: I always see people get kids into the business, milk them and then hang them to dry. We can do better as leaders to keep them future focused, building a career that sustains them for multigenerational wealth. We need to infiltrate the industry with strategies to develop a strong moral compass for our kids. Faith building is so important, something bigger them. If they don’t have that faith and moral compass, along with entrepreneurship skills, they’ll do anything.

Mr. Pete, a lot of people may not know this but you’re a dance legend and you’ve worked with megastars like Michael Jackson, Usher, Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and more. How does being called a legend make you feel?

Popin’ Pete: When people say that to me, that world “legend,” I think of my brother Boogaloo Sam who taught me what I do. I feel he should also be getting more terms of recognition if not more. The accolades are in contrast to going back home and having 10-15 people living there. I’m still trying to grow as a dancer. I appreciate that word, but I would never speak it of myself.  I’m going to always stay humble. I’m a dancer who happened to have some skills and make people feel good.

You just launched your new website PopinPete.com and a Patreon training platform with the help of the students at Studio T Arts. How did you feel about Miss Tee stepping up to help you when you were dealing with a dark time during COVID quarantine?

Popin’ Pete: I’ve met a lot of people around the world but I can always tell the genuine ones. She came across very dedicated to her purpose and we spoke off and on throughout the years, and I did a workshop there. When  COVID-19 happened, she contacted me during a very dark time for me mentally. It was right on time. She sat and listened, and I felt that I needed to convey to her what I was going through. She said, “this is what I’m gonna do,” and next thing I know, things started changing. I come from the days before cell phones. Everything is a memory, and I can only talk about it, I can’t show it. Now, we can archive things online. I do this because one day I’m not going to be here. Before ’78 we didn’t have that technology. The raw moments at home and practicing, learning we couldn’t capture that back then. I had pretty much done everything alone and by myself up to this point knowing what I want. But, sometimes knowing what you want isn’t getting what you need.

Miss Tee: I always tell my students, “you didn’t start this, you are standing on their shoulders.” If you don’t use what God has gifted you to honor them  – easy come, easy go. If future generations don’t know our cultural roots and people like Popin’ Pete, its because we failed.

So, you’ve made it this far King. What’s next for Popin’ Pete? 

Popin’ Pete: I love teaching and want to open up a dance company or studio. My son and I have plans to have a multiplex studio and will be getting back into our designs. Writing a book is on the list, so people can read what I went through even after I’m gone. I’m turning 60, so I’m looking back on my 43 years in the entertainment business and trying to make it bigger and better. I’m focused on getting what I know out through my Patreon platform, because I want people to learn from me. As far as other business ventures, I’m developing a television show that I have registered with the writers guild.

Alright, now you’ve worked with some iconic superstars. Drop a quick story on The Hype Magazine!

Popin’ Pete: Michael Jackson said something to me in 1985, and I pretty much live it to this day. We were working on Captain EO, the 3D film, and we were at rehearsal. Now, Michael doesn’t do a regular rehearsal when he is learning. I’m looking at him thinking, this is rehearsal why is he going so hard? When we rehearse we don’t go too hard, but MJ is like on 100 percent. I walked up to him in rehearsal and asked him, “Michael, why are you giving 100 percent?” Now I’m 20 and he was 23. Michael Jackson looks at me and says, “I don’t understand why people say they can only give 100% What happened to 102%? I start at 100% and give my all, then there’s no excuse.” Then he walked away.

I sat there pondering that moment and I decided from then on to give my all. When I dance, I give it all I can, so I can’t come back and say well, I tried.

For more information on the program, volunteering or to provide support, please visit StudioTArts.org or follow on IG, Tik Tok, YouTube and Facebook @studiotdance, @studiotarts, @sweetteetime

Check out Popin’ Pete’s new website and training platform by visiting, PopinPete.com

Tags: Breaking, choreography, Chris Brown, Dance, Interviews, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Legendary, Michael Jackson, Oakland, Popin Pete, Sacramento, Usher

About the Author

Crystal Willis Crystal Willis is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Entertainment Publicist and CEO of The Omni Firm. She is also a Transformational Life Coach and Founder of The Crysalis. Her personal story has been seen by millions of people on media outlets like Marie Claire Magazine, PBS, Blaze TV, Daily Signal and more.

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