Killerbean - Sopreme Blazza'z

Dancehall dancer:

Kyle Kadeem Shaw aka Killerbean of the Sopreme Blazza'z is 25 years old and a prolific creative mind. Everytime I visit Jamaica, with every class I take, Killerbean always impresses me with a completely new set of dance moves of his and his crews creation. Each step is versatile and diverse; some are great grooves, some are badman (gangster/shooting), some are Africanesque, some are easy, some are complex, and all are unique. Killerbean and his boys are working hard and certainly should be celebrated for their work. Check out Killerbean on IG, FB, and Youtube.

[This interview was transcribed from voice notes]

1. When did you first start going to the dancehall? How old were you? What was that like? What did you see? If it's been years since your first party, what is it like in comparison to that first time?

From 2002 I am dancing. 2009 dancehall change, 2010 dancehall change, and new generations change dancehall a different flow. So dancehall is different now in 2017. Back then, dancehall was very authentic dancehall, ya know, lot of vibes, lotta cool all over. Now for me dancehall change a lot. There is no excitement again like one time in the streets.

2. Who is your favorite dancehall artist? Why?

My all time favorite artist is voicemail and still my favorite. The reason why is because they make dancers start seeing, get to know dances, and they are one of the foundation of dancehall, ya? Who sing about dancehall to the people, know that dancehall really exist. Also they put dancehall on the map.

3. What is your favorite DH step? Who created it? Why do you like it? Can you describe it?

My favorite dancehall step is Tek Weh Yuhself by Ova Mars dancers. Why because it make me feel alive. I can express my feelings with that dance. I can put my passion and love in that dance and how I feel, and it can explain and talk through my body.

4. Which DH steps have you created?

The dancehall that created by me name Step Alive and why because in life step towards what you want, toward your goal, to always push it forward. No matter anybody say, always stepping forward to what we want to achieve.

5. What inspires you as a dancer?

Well dancehall music, we have the environment. Jamaican dancers, dance doing dancehall. So that inspire me more, to push us toward my goal.

6. Who is your favorite dancer other than yourself and why?

My favorite dancer is Blazer Frass aka Fabian Shaw. Why? Because he push me forward towards my goals. He always believe in me when nobody don't so he is always going to be my top dancer.

7. What do you think about the international DH following?

I really have nothing bad to say about international dancers. All I want to say keep on pushing doing what you doing because you are supporting Jamaican dancehall and you love it more than our government and most people in Jamaica. Ya? But always remember that you come to Jamaica, you still learning, you still a student, you have to come outta the dancehall, to know real about dancehall. No matter how much time you guys come here to learn about dancehall, you still learning, you don't reach the master degrees yet, you don't reach dat, nothing yet. Because we teachers here in Jamaica is still learning about our own culture as well.

8. Do you have any insights or advice for other/future dancers?

My advice other dancers, learn your culture, know about your culture. Where your culture is coming from. Ya? If you don't know, where you coming from, you don't know nothing about dancehall. You just getting up and dance, don't mean you know about dancehall. Please study, and do research, haffi know where dancing from. Dancing is not something dancers just get up and dancing is from your heart. So that's my opinion to other dancers. Please learn about your culture. 

I agree with Killerbean, we should always come from a place of passion, love, and have respect for the people and roots of the culture it came from. 

Check out Killerbean of Sopreme Blazza'z on Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Killerbean of Sopreme Blazza'z

Slim-Jay from Xqlusiv Dancers

Dancehall Dancer:

Jason Ricardo Leslie aka Slim-Jay is 26 years old and team member of Xqlusiv Dancers from St. Thomas, Jamaica. Xqlusiv dancers do a style of dancehall they call freeflow dancehall because it's all about feeling the music and going with the flow. I first met Slim-Jay in July of 2014 at my friend Charlotte's house in Kingston. Him and his friend and fellow dancer, Zidan, were staying with us so we could all go to Uptown Mondays that night. Slim-Jay spent the earlier part of the evening showing me some Xqlusiv steps - Free flow, Winner, Popsicle, and R1 - I loved these steps. They were big, expansive, grounded, flowy, and reminded me of my Haitian training. These guys are prolific dancers, they continually make and create new steps and epic videos for all to enjoy. I hope you will check them out - you can find them easily on FB, IG, & Youtube, Xqlusiv Dancers.

Here is Slim-Jay's inspirational interview:

1. When did you first start going to the dancehall (DH)? How old were you? What was that like? What did you see? If it's been years since your first party, what is it like in comparison to that first time?

I was born in dancehall so i didn't get into it... From the day i was born i love dancehall music and just would move to the beat whenever i hear the music!! Dancehall doesn't feel any different it's the same in my opinion... It just evolved as do everything else do with the time!!!!

2. Who is your favorite DH artist? Why?

My favorite dancehall artist is Vybz Kartel!!!! Why is my favourite artist is because of the vocabulary and intelligence and also the metaphors in his songs is just the best in dancehall music!!!! He brings a different vybz to the music when i hear a song from him i would just be dancing because of the vybz and energy in his songs!!!

3. What is your favorite DH step? Who created it? Why do you like it? Can you describe it?

My favourite dh step is from my dance group (chillzone) It was created by Xqlusiv Dancers!!! I feel free and the flow of the music when doing it!!! It just makes my body flow with motion from the songs or songs!!!!

4. Which DH steps have you created?

I created chillzone, lack chat...

5. What inspires you as a dancer?

Well i just love dancing over all... Even if i don't have anything, i know i got a talent to dance and bring joy to people whenever they see me performing for them!!!!

6. Who is your favorite dancer other than yourself and why?

My Favourite dancehall would be Bogle aka Mr. Wacky!! Why? Because he is the creator of dancehall dancing and dance moves without him there wouldn't be a dancehall genre of dancing to inspire dancers worldwide!!!!!

7. What do you think about the international DH following?

If asking about the dancers or foreigners that do dancehall steps... I would say i appreciate the love they have for our culture and all but for jamaicans dancers who really want to make a career from dancing it's kind of difficult for us... Why because most international Dancers come here once just to learn and then they go back home to teach it... Not saying i don't appreciate the fact that they share our culture but when they do that it limits the opportunity of dancers getting the chance to travel and teach dh... But it's already the way it is so it just what it is.... I will always be dancing though no matter how hard it is to get the bigger opportunities...

8. Do you have any insights or advice for other/future dancers?

My advice for all dancers would be... No matter how hard and how tough it gets never stop dancing, one day all your hard work will be recognise and appreciated!!!

Right on Slim-Jay!! Never give up!!! Never settle!!! Always forward, never backwards!!!

Again you can find Slim-Jay and the Xqlusiv Dancers on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Check 'em out!

Slim-Jay Xqlusiv Dancer

JA2DBAY: Interviews and Insights with the Dancehall Dancers

Welcome to JA2DBAY (pronounced JA-2-D-BAY)

I love Jamaica, I love Dancehall & Reggae music, I love the Dancehall dances and the dancers who created them. I love their their moves, grooves, and all their style!!

In order to fully understand the dancehall and it's dancers, you have to go to Jamaica and pretty much be born there, but I'm hoping here, in this blog, you will meet dancehall dancers and artists from all over Jamaica who will share their stories, dance moves, music, and more. My hope is to give them a voice and us an insight into one of the coolest places on Earth, the dancehall.

Happy Exploring