Afro/Dancehall

Dancehall = Where you party in Jamaica, in the “Dance Hall”

Dancehall is a social dancestyle, you dance on the streets, at the party, at your place. Dancehall is based on numerous steps, which are built on earthy movements and body isolations. Each step tells a story and reflects a different aspect of the Jamaican culture or the dancer itself.

Dancehall starts with the Oldschool Movement between 1990-2000/2002 with Gerald “Bogle” Levy as Mr. Wacky as the first Dancer who made Dancehall popular. Middleschool Movement was from 2000/2002-2010 with John Hype as a leader. The moves changed from simple hip based to energetic and fast upper body hip combinations. Leading to Dancehall Newschool movement since 2010 until now. Younger generations have built a lot of crews and created complex and various step combinations in all moods.

Additionally, there is Dancehall Female Style where Women express their Femininity and self-confidence with every shape of a woman’s body. Dancehall Badman Style rather goes into the bad situations of life, so you dance it out instead of doing something wrong or criminal.

Combined with influences from other urban styles choreographies are developing – this is called Ragga in Europe.

Afro in Europe covers the established dance styles such as Afrobeats/Azonto from Ghana, Afrobeats/Naija Streetstyle from Nigeria, Afrohouse/Amapiano/Pantsula from South Africa, Kuduro from Angola, Ndombolo from Congo, Coupé Décalé from Côte d’ivoire and many others of the African continent. With their variety and the strong history behind Afro dances, they create the base of many current dance styles. Afro dance is highly expressive and embodies freedom and joy of life.

Afrobeat for example was a music genre by Fela Kuti (Nigeria) 1968, which was inspired by Highlife, Funk and Jazz. Azonto was the first popular dancestyle from Ghana, roots of Azonto are Gome, Kpanlogo. The Foundation for Nigerian Streetstyle is Konto, Daddy Showkey created the movement Galala which is today the base for a lot of famous footwork moves such as Poco dance, Legwork etc.

Kuduro emerges in the late 80s, first as a dance and over time evolving into a music genre. African house style in which electronic elements are mixed with traditional folklore, made by the poorest people of Luanda and with the means precarious they had. The name of the dance referred to a particular movement in which the dancers seem to have an “hard ass”.

In such a fast living world where social media is an information platform, it’s important to know the roots and respect the culture, so you can understand the dance and the movements.

If you want more information or have any input, don’t hesitate to contact the teacher.