Dancers' Paradise: Wiz Ravas living his dream

Twenty-six-year-old Kevone Lawrence, more popularly known as Wiz Ravas, vividly recounted segments of his fifth birthday party to Dancers’ Paradise.

The day has been permanently etched in the young dancer’s brain because it was there that he first discovered his love for dancing.

“It was my birthday party and me did just a dance and people did a cheer me on. Me was a likkle pickney so me probably did a do foolishness but the way dem cheer fi me, mi just fall in love with the adrenaline rush weh me did get,” he said. “Me know from dem time deh say a dis me did wah do.”

Wiz revealed that not only did he know exactly what he wanted to pursue as a career ,but he also knew who he wanted to dance with.

Pointing out that from a tender age he idolised Ding Dong, Wiz wanted to be a member of Ravers Clavers. Now that he’s part of the popular dance crew, Wiz says he’s living his dream. “Growing up, Ding was always an idol, so to be dancing alongside him, travelling with him, it’s a blessing,” he said. “Me actually a make a name outta dancing and a make an impact which we never really a expect at the start. Me a get fi live certain life now weh me only dream of as a likkle youth but never know me woulda actually get to experience. Me never expect things to get this large, me just did a dweet because me love it.”

His love for the art form made the choice easy but the support he got from family and friends made the decision even more bearable when things got rough.

Speaking of support, Wiz told Dancers’ Paradise that the latter is the driving force behind Ravers Clavers.

He explained that contrary to popular belief, the large unit is very close-knit, so much so that they do not see themselves as a dance crew but as a family.

BUILDING EACH OTHER

“Everybody talented and everybody bad inna dem own way. We support each other, help each other, build each other, and teach each other,” he said. “We nuh belittle nobody and we nuh feel like we affi compete with each other because we a family. We have we likkle friendly competitions but that’s it, just friendly competitions.”

Other than dancing with Ding, Wiz also teaches dance classes to tourists. The creator of the dance Snappinz, he says he has dreams of one day opening his own dance studio, not just for foreigners but also the youth.

“Me wah develop talent because dancing essential to dancehall and music. Without it, the music is nothing. Me wah inspire more people to follow the dream of dancing if dem have it,” he said.

Wiz wants aspiring dancers to be mindful of naysayers. He wants them to keep focused on their dreams despite the negative comments.

“When people talk and criticise, just ignore it because at the end of the day, yuh affi do wah make you happy. You can’t do wah make somebody else happy because a you affi go live with every decision you make every day,” he said. “Follow what you love, because if it makes yuh happy, life perfect.”