Antboogie
If you’ve taken class with the AmountBoyz dance crew or checked out Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour, you’ve probably heard of hip-hop legend Anthony Rue II, a.k.a. Antboogie. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Antboogie began his dance training in tap, ballet, jazz and free movement at the National Dance Institute before enrolling at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts at age 14. It was at LaGuardia that he started the AmountBoyz crew with his best friends. Antboogie has since choreographed for some of the biggest names in the music biz, including Alicia Keys and Mario, and performed in the dance flicks Dreamgirls and Honey. —Lauren Levinson
What’s up Anthony Rue II?
I am contacting you from the future. We now go by the name Antboogie. I have some important things to tell you.
Don’t ever change the essence of who you are. Stay true to your ideals, your goals, the things you love and even the things you dislike.
Take some classes in unfamiliar styles, including acting classes, even though you,re kind of afraid to. And make sure you tell everyone in the AmountBoyz to save up so all of you can move to L.A. together. There are a lot of opportunities for you guys out West.
Never stop following the advice from your dance teachers at LaGuardia about stretching every day, because that will help keep you dancing in years to come. Don’t let some of the injuries you have stop you from getting back in the kitchen to cook up new movements.
You already know what the dance industry is about. Just keep your eyes open and make the career choices that fit you best.
Anthony Rue II
Photos from top to bottom: Antboogie (third from right) with the AmountBoyz courtesy Antboogie; A teenage Antboogie (right) with singer Omarion courtesy Antboogie