Dancing can bring about change, says Black Ice

Dancer Black Ice said that if dancing was to be made part of the regular school curriculum or regularised within communities islandwide, like sports, it could bring forth change.

"It is a cool way to instill discipline and every youth is capable of being [disciplined], even the ghetto youths. I am one of them," said Black Ice. "The prime minister ah do him thing. Not sure enough is being done with dance yet, but it can bring youths to focus. Without dance and dancehall, Jamaica nah guh be Jamaica."

He said that dancing has helped him to maintain a level head.

"A person has to have reasoning ability. So, even if the critics say to a youth that's trying to dance that dancing is not their thing, he or she must be able to reason and respond. Say 'thank you very much, I will work harder', not argue and get into confrontations," Black Ice told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"The one thing everybody will say about me is that I am disciplined. If a person does not have discipline, they can't excel at anything. And the reasoning to know right from wrong helps with the teaching part of it," he continued.

As a teenager, he trained to be a professional footballer before literally falling short of a chance to be in the big leagues because he broke his hand and foot.

"It didn't happen while playing, but I had gone to watch a match, climbed on top of a roof and was shuub off (shoved off). Me only hear when me cousin tell me fi look pon me hand and fix it," he recalled.

The dancer added, "I tried Under-14 then Under-15 for Arnett Gardens, Hannah Town and Jones Town before that. After the accident, I started to dance and exercise. Since doing it, I don't feel pressure on my knee. I kept up with the dancing even when I wasn't out there making new dance moves. Probably around 2019, I start pick it up back after my son born. I still do my running too to stay fit."

Black Ice has been endorsed by fellow dancer Shankle Dip, who encouraged him to show some commitment to his talent. He has also received the endorsement of recording artistes Jah Vinci, Kyodi and Aidonia, for whom he has either been featured in music videos or done choreography. He collaborated on the 'Fling Yuh Foot' dance move, for which Shankle Dip had released a song, and has other steps like 'Three-Pointer' and 'iCool', named from the local water brand.

"Fling Yuh Foot did well in the US, Trinidad and Africa. I have few persons from African countries messaging me to tell me the dance is a hot topic. I am aiming to travel to the US to host dance-class sessions," said Black Ice.

"I may surprise persons. The rap and hip-hop culture is appealing to me, so if I do get the opportunity soon, I actually want to focus on teaching movement which could be more extensive in those areas and to teach not only dancers but the rappers, too. Me ah gwaan watch di ting 'til me get that break to send me far."