It’s Just Dancing Party Presents A Fun-Filled Earthstrong Celebration for New York Top Tier Choreographer
Most great events encompass various aspects that lead to the gestalt of the overall experience. Events that merge disciplines are usually the most fun because they create a holistic cultural experience. The It’s Just Dancing Crew went all out on Friday, December 21, when they hosted a birthday bash for touring choreographer and now emerging artist, Blacka Di Danca, with music, choreography and fine dining at Negril Village – Rhum Shop.
More After The Jump…
Micro Don Dada, DJ Top Notch, DJ Castro, DJ Kilz, and DJ AK brought down the house with tunes from 90’s to present day. The soundwaves propagated with notable songs such as: Shenseea -“Pon Mi,” Buju Banton -” Love How The Gal Dem Flex,” Shabba Ranks- “Gal Yuh Good,” Konshens – “Bruk Off Yuh Back, ” Busy Signal-“Stay So,” Popcaan-“Family,” Elephant Man – “Nuh Linga,” Tee Jay -“Bubble Ya Body,” Beres Hammond – “No Goodbye,” Davido- “Fall,” Vybz Kartel – “Underwater,” Kranium – “Last Night,“ Rhianna -“Work,” Dexta Daps- “Shabba Madda Pot,” and more.
Blacka Di Danca, performed his song “Bubble Up” and premiered “Saucy” for the first time. The crowd reacted with excitement and vivacious dancing for both songs.
In the crowd was Courtney Panton Jr. of New Kingston, Promoter BK Stacey, Members of the Danca Family, Dancer Mateo Velasquez, Dancer Lee Carram, Choreographer FreeUp CM, Dancer Kimmy J aka “Kimbo Queen,” Dancer Sunmi Kim, Dancer Mami Hasegawa of Xpressionz Family, Dancer Leomary Rodriguez, Dancer Jeo, Dancer Alyssa Amarshi, Choreographer Rahmus Rifical, Dancer Kea Rada, Choreographer Scott Bernard, Dancer Veronika Byers and Dancer Jason B (Treestep).
Interview:
Angel: Congratulations on an outstanding event Blacka.
Blacka: Thank you so much, we get live every time we have an event. Every Memorial Weekend I collaborate with Jillonaire from Major Lazer for our annual barbecue and I also do an Independence Day barbecue, annually.
Angel: I really appreciate the music and choreography. A lot of New York’s Premier Dancers came out to support your big birthday event. How did this journey begin for you?
Blacka: I’m West Indian American, so I grew up with my Trinidadian parents playing reggae, soca and dancehall. Movement was a natural aspect of my background and culture. I would say I realized I had a passion for dancing around the age of 12 or 13, my cousins, New Kingston, well they are not my blood cousins but we were raised together, and I consider them family. Courtney Panton Sr. gave me the moniker “Blacka,” he was a father figure in my life. They brought me along on tours with them and they have had an influence on every decision I have ever made. I really respect them so much, Tahir, Courtney, and Stephen. Well yeah when I was 12 or 13 we would go to the Elite Ark (which I realized later, was owned by a family member, when the club shut down) but there I saw crews stepping out on the dance scene with choreographed steps and even matching fitted caps and sneakers. This all intrigued me and I wanted to emulate these moves and create my own moves.
Angel: How did your family feel about your decision to pursue dancing?
Blacka: My mom is my biggest fan or cheerleader, She loves it and supports me all the way.
Angel: You performed “Bubble Up” at the party and the animated vocals reminded me of of Shaggy. Tell us about the inspiration behind this song.
Blacka: The first song I recorded was “Buss A Dance” featuring ZJ Sparks. That came about because my manager’s close friend is a producer named DJ Septik and when he had an event called “Slow Bounce,” I was one of the dancers. He later called me up and asked me if I was interested in doing music and I said yes. Then I wrote “Bubble Up” in LA, I was with Producer Clayton William and a friend Ebboni and we were having Hennessy and Coca Cola; Clayton was playing a beat. I was kinda zoned out and starring at the bottle of Coca Cola and then just started to say: “Wah mek yuh bubble up like a Coca Cola.” My friend Ebboni was like “What?” and I repeated it a little deeper and that was the beginning of the chorus. Now the song is just over 50K streams on Spotify.
Angel: How about “Saucy?’” My friend told me what she thought the meaning behind the song was and I told her she was way off – the song is not a sensual song right- it’s like showing off your style – whether it’s your dance moves or fashion right?
Blacka: That song is definitely about swag. But everyone has their own interpretation of that song and I love that about the music.
Angel: What’s next for you?
Blacka: I have a lot of songs coming up – some sensual ones too. I have a collaboration with Mr. Killa, Lexy Panterra and some reggaeton tunes with Los Rakas and El Chevo. The “Bubble Up” video will be released in January 2019, it was directed by Zurisaddai with assistance from my friends Andranita and Ebboni.
Angel: We are speaking to you right at a point where you are moving into a new phase of your career. At the party you mentioned that you were at a party and Jason B –now a well-known New York City dancer called “Tree Step,” asked if you teach dancing and you said yes and then you became a Dance Instructor, in a similar vein, when DJ Septik asked you if you are interested in doing music, and now you are a Rising Star. Why were you so brave to say yes to these new endeavors? Did you feel like it was destiny?
Blacka: I don’t say yes to everything. But I trust my heart and vibes, if it feels right I say yes, and I go for it. I believe it’s not just about the action but it’s about intention. My ultimate goal is to make others happy, if it helps the well-being of others, helps them to vibrate higher. I don’t believe in destiny. I also don’t focus on the past or future as much as I do the right now or present. I believe your past, present and future are manifested by what you say and do now. So if my energy says yes, I trust what my heart feels.
Angel: What is your biggest hope for the future?
Blacka: My Charity – “Little Danca.” Through this program I am trying to expose children in Jamaica to dancehall and other forms of dance. The program is two-years old and brings dance education to 50 children, every Tuesday and Wednesday, at local community center in Gordon Town, as well as to the children of St. Martin De Porres Basic School. I want to be able to branch out and bring performing arts and dance education to neighboring schools and communities in Jamaica. It’s sad because while the rest of the world is profiting off of dancehall, most local dancers in Jamaica can’t make a career out of their passion, in the place where dancehall was born. I’m hoping to obtain the financial backing to bring this program to various schools throughout Jamaica and employ local dancers from Jamaica. Mr. Vegas, Zidan (from Xclusiv Dancers) Pancho (from Team Caution) have visited and supported my efforts, but I really need more sponsors to take this to the next level.
Angel: How can people support this philanthropic effort?
Blacka: They can contact me, I have a Go Fund Me page and I’m currently working on building a website for the program.
Angel: I hope that you are able to accomplish your mission. Many schools in the Caribbean are implementing STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) programing now. I think education in the Performing Arts and Fine Arts is equally, as important. Thank you for sharing your vision with Boomshots Magazine.
Blacka: Thank you for an intellectually stimulating conversation and for sharing my story. I really appreciate this.
(*Blacka preferred not to reveal his given name during this interview.)
Photographs by Roland Hyde
Written By: Angel Love @LoveDeepAngel
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