DANCE LIKE A JAMAICAN

 "WE LIKKLE, BUT WE TALLAWAH" Is a phrase that Jamaicans have used for many years; refering to the size of our country, and the major impact we've had on the world. Let us travel back in time and take a look into Jamaican dancing, Jamaican dancers have been sharing the art form with the world for many decades; from Skanking to the newest dance craze one drop. Dancers like Bogle have been seen on many stages entertaining audiences showcasing his fancy footwork's and skillful hand movements; wacky dip and Bogle are two of the most popular dance moves to have hit big outside of Jamaica both created by Bogle himself. Thanks to acts like Elephant man who have had many international collaborations; one of which includes rapper Lil Jon, with the song "get low" where Elephant man skillfully displayed move after move such as "signal the plain" to "pon di riva pon di bank"; even track and field world record holder Usain Bolt; who is not only famous for burning up the track, but also for his victory dances. Bolt was featured on the Jonathan Ross show in the UK where he showed him a couple of moves such as the "sweep", and "no linga" where they both had a great time on the show.

In this new era of social networking; a viral movement can be spawned at anytime. We have seen people from all walks of life take to the interenet creating videos of our moves for which has gone as far as music videos, movies, international dance competitions such as Dancing with the stars and Americas next dance crew and more. Even Japanese dancers have come to live in Jamaica to study our movements, If your a regular at hot spot like Waddy waddy which maybe considered a rough spot to most you'll see lots of nationalities trying to make their way to the video light to dance on camera for mixtape videos that circulate around the world to 0ver 8 million people a week on youtube; you'd be amazed that they have studied the art form paying their respect with perfection.

The truth is to dance like a Jamaican you have
to feel it from deep with in, because we

dance from a deeply rooted place in our souls with a genuine love for our Reggae/Dancehall music.  

Road Show Ja caught up with professional dancer Kimiko Versatile; Choreographer for a one on one.

DD: What is your view on Jamaican dancing around the world?

KV: Jamaican dancing especially Dancehall is becoming more, and more popular around world as we speak. I've seen an increase in tourism visiting our Dancehall sittings in kingston to see and learn our dance moves. They have also started to book Jamaican dancers for workshops, and shows worldwide.

DD: What is the reception like when you go to other countries and preform?

KV: Everywhere I go people love, and appreciate Jamaican vibrant dances, and culture so much. I represented the Edna Manley College in an Antigan festival in 2007, and we got standing novation for our performance. They explained that we dance with so much passion and energy, and we are real to our Arfo-Centric culture.

DD: We have seen Yendi Phillips have success with her workout video "In the dance Jamaica" where she used the latest dance moves from Jamaica to attract patrons; so with the world going crazy over Jamaican dancing can we expect a dance video from you any time soon?

KV: I have made numerous amount of dance videos, and posted on Youtube, including a video of me dancing when i was six months pregnant. Because of this people are now booking me for dancehall workshops in Russia and Europe. I am sure that ill be posting alot more videos showing our dance culture.

DD: What do think is the main reason why people around the world are so drawn to our style  of dancing?

KV: I think that people are drawn to our type of dancing because of the African feel to it, and the creativity of it. They are also drawn to it because of our music (Reggae and Dancehall) so by them gravitating to our music they have to gravitate to our dances too. Its foreign for most of them and they are excited about the creative and dynamic ways in which we use our bodies to show our art and culture.

The world is watching, and is totally captivated by our every moves let us keep the flag flying high and continue to feed them with our god given creativity.

Written by: Debbie Debz