Mom On The Move: Choreographer And Creative Director Jamaica Craft

So you always had this vision for yourself when you were younger…

Yeah, you just brought that full circle for me…so yeah

So you’ve also worked with Ne-Yo and Justin Bieber and Missy Elliott…

God is my agent, I’m just moving forward and giving positive energy and a light and good vibe when they work with me.

What have you been doing more recently as a creative director?

Tinashe was doing her Joyride tour, a club run, and I pitched her a concept where we make those clubs feel like an arena. I wanted her fans to feel like, wow, I was just at a major stadium show, not a small club. She loved it and the reviews have been amazing. I work with some of the best production people in the business and created a package for her that was custom—staircases, risers that move on the stage, special lighting and LED screens. We had to figure out how to crunch those numbers and her team was all in, it was dope.

Talk about your work on Empire.

This second season has been awesome. For that project, I’m the choreographer and being able to go in and work with actors and a script, I learned a lot but I’ve also been able to give them knowledge about the music business and how we do it. Empire is all about playing up the fantasy and doing it big, that’s part of the reason why people love the show so much.

And then the movie The Boss…?

Working with Melissa McCarthy was another great experience. When I got hired for the project I wasn’t pregnant, but by the time I started working I was seriously knocking on 9, almost full-term, 10 months along. They did not treat me any different. They trusted me and they knew my body of work and I came every day and danced and choreographed and I had amazing assistant choreographers. Melissa McCarthy was the ish. She was in there dancing and did a full split and she was so focused.

I was always afraid of dance movies, but I think my niche is comedy choreography and these dance scenes in romantic comedies. I freakin’ love that. I did another movie called Fist Fight with Charlie Day and Ice Cube. That will probably be out next year.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on creative and planning with Usher for his new project. So we’re working on some awesome visuals. My artist development company is called Jam Session Entertainment and we’re working on an artist named Millie Thrasher and a few other girl groups and I have another girl group that signed to me.

Wow, so mama’s got her plate full…

Yes, mama is trying to figure it out. The amazing grace is the support system I have in my mom and I call her Granny Nanny. She has moved to Atlanta for me and full-time taken on, of course, being his grandma, but being a nanny as well. So when I’m working, this has allowed me to relax my brain and not be worried. That has been my blessing. And of course his dad has been hands-on and great with knowing that this is my passion. Of course my son is my first passion, but my work is my passion as well, I breathe it. So they’re very supportive. The world is getting so crazy so it’s such a comfort to have them around and know he’s good.

Have you found that having your son has enhanced your work?

I was always scared to have kids because I didn’t know what people would think of me, like, oh, she doesn’t have it anymore and she’s the mom in the room. To be honest, I don’t need to be in the room if you think of me like that. Yes, I have changed, but it’s only for the better. But most people are like, you’re even more seasoned now, that’s why I want you here.

Sometimes I feel like I’m losing myself or I’m not accomplishing anything, but those are just days. The transition to being a mom has been a blessing.