Hustler was an exploitative and traumatic place to work. At times, it was also a fun place to work. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. One time in 2014 or 2015-- I can't recall exactly when--Naughty by Nature played a concert on the main show floor. I thought it was fucked up that I had to pay a regular house fee that evening when everyone's attention was shifted away from the dancers. But, the 90s nostalgia was too tempting for me to stay home that night. I was very much looking forward to seeing Naughty by Nature that evening, and they delivered.

Many touring performers visit Hustler to put on shows. They're usually people like porn stars, aerial silk artists, or other kinds of adult oriented talent. It was usually annoying when Hustler hosted feature performers that disrupted the flow of the night. Hustler does this to attract customers, but also because doing so blurs the Economic Realities factor that describes strippers as the cornerstone of their business. By diversifying the attractions, strip clubs can lie and that say dancers are not employees, because customers are coming in to see something unrelated to the strippers. Labor lawyers then must argue back that while the club may occasionally host special guest entertainment, the strippers are still the primary focus of the business. Courts almost always agree. That's why Deja Vu continues to lose cases and/or pay out large settlements, regardless of the other kinds of entertainment within the club. But fuck it, I just loved seeing Naughty by Nature!

While Naughty by Nature were singing their songs, one of them looked to me in the audience, the way a rock star might make eye contact with a fan during their performance. I was just sitting against the wall in my stripper outfit, enjoying the nostalgia. I intentionally looked away from the performer when he made eye contact with me though, because I thought he exhibited toxic masculinity. I've never actually liked that song “O.P.P.” It's always grossed me out and offended me, as do many of their problematic song lyrics. However, attending the Naughty by Nature show was a way for me to reclaim and heal my inner 90s self. Here I was looking beautiful in Las Vegas, sipping cocktails and making loads of cash every night, sitting in my architecturally beautiful workplace, while Naughty by Nature danced around on the same stage that I danced on, serenading me with the classics.

I became joyously misty-eyed as I sang along to “Hip Hop Hooray” with everyone else. The dense crowd of singing strippers, tourists and fans were unified in our love of their music, creating a memory that will forever live in me as one of the most beautiful work shifts of my entire life. It was nothing short of a religious experience. Life is hard. Life is brutal. Life is also beautiful, and we can endure so many hardships with the right kinds of melodies. “Hip Hop Hooray” is an anthem of joy and survival, an anthem of rebellion, of daring to be happy against the hardships. That's why with tears streaming down my face, smiling, laughing, I threw my hands up in the air with everyone else and sang HOORAY.

After the concert, Naughty by Nature sat in a circular bench area near the front of the club. They took promo photos with the strippers, met fans, and soaked up attention. Us strippers were encouraged to take promo photos with them. I REALLY wanted to say hi to them and get a picture, but I was overwhelmed with social anxiety, so I simply walked near them, nodded to them when they looked at me, received a nod back, and walked away, continuing on in my hustle.