Boysie celebrates 15 years of ‘Willie Bounce’ - Collects Magnum Big 20 award on behalf of the late Bogle

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Stephanie Lyew - STAR Writer

November 01, 2019

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Dancer Boysie.

Dancer Boysie (left) receives the Magnum Dancehall Big Move Award from Mark Telfer, brand manager of Magnum Tonic Wine.

Dancer Boysie (left) is joined by Zaden to collect the Magnum Dancehall Big Move Award for ‘Willie Bounce’, handed over by Mark Telfer, brand manager of Magnum Tonic Wine.

Lonsdale Guy, who learnt to dance under the guidance of the iconic Gerald 'Bogle' Levy, says he has spent the last few weeks reflecting on the past. This was compounded by the handover of an award by Magnum Tonic Wine earlier this week.

Guy, more popularly known as Boysie in the dancehall community, received the Dancehall Big Dance Move Award in recognition of 'Willie Bounce', which was created and introduced by Bogle 15 years ago. The dance was named after famed Black Roses Crew leader Willie Haggart. The dance move is also represented in songs recorded by dancehall entertainers Voicemail and Elephant Man.

"For me, oh my God, it is an acknowledgement that is really needed. It represents hard work, sleepless nights, and the dedication to Bogle, his technique, and the legacy I have challenged myself to carry on," Boysie told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Mark Telfer, brand manager for Magnum Tonic Wine, handed over the award to Boysie on Rousseau Road, where some of the famed Black Roses Crew originated.

Boysie, who was joined by a four-year-old member of his community to collect the award, shared, "This little boy, Zaden, does not even know Bogle, and yet he has had a great influence on his upbringing. He calls me Bogle and never wants to miss a class, so he knows all the dances."

MORE TO COME

The award is one of 20 that Magnum Tonic Wine will present to influential dancehall personalities to mark the brand's 20th anniversary.

"It means more than anyone can understand. I am alive to collect the award on behalf of someone who was like a brother to me, and it is motivation to continue because for long after he was killed, I used to fret for my life. It is hard to jump up and continue something when you lose the person who introduced you to it in the first place," Boysie said.

Boysie is currently making preparations to travel to Europe in 2020, where he is scheduled to lead a tour focused on dancehall history and movements.