Everybody Do the Aunt Jackie

MTV has jumped on the trend, launching a doofy how-to show called "Dances From Tha Hood." Sure enough, they've already broadcast a primer on the "Aunt Jackie." It looks incredibly corny after watching all the ebullient freestyle hoofers on YouTube—but it may just come in handy as an instructional video for certain rhythmically challenged pop critics.

You know me, I'm an old fuddy duddy who's always 6 months (or more) late on every new trend. But better late than never, so here's how to dance the latest hip dance: Aunt Jackie.

This is a perfect example of mass behavior and cumulative advantage. This dance is a form of ‘interaction’ between people in the Hip Hop community. Knowing that over 90% of communications has nothing to do with what you say, this dance move is a form of communication between people and a way to interact and connect with each other.

With hip-hop sales stagnating, influential people like Jermaine Dupri are looking at the genre’s past to ignite its future. Case in point: Harlem producer-rapper Jason Fox, who was recently signed to JD’s new label based on the YouTube popularity of his track “Aunt Jackie” (below). The song is ridiculously simple in an old-school way—it sounds like a newly unearthed Sugarhill Gang track (we’re talking pre-Run-DMC rap here). And, like recent hit “Chicken Noodle Soup,” the lyrics are mostly just fun placeholders: “I got the feelin’ when I’m chillin’ with my Aunt Jackie/ The type of music you can use to make your aunt happy.” But the words aren’t the point. “Aunt Jackie” was made for dancing, whether it be in the streets, at a club, in your bedroom or on the internet.