Dancing time again! - Kaka Highflames champions return of dancehall’s dance era

In the vibrant streets of Kingston, where music and dance define the cultural landscape, a young talent, Kaka Highflames, is making waves.

With his debut performance as a dancehall recording artiste at the recent staging of Reggae Sumfest, his journey from a passionate dancer to an emerging music star has reached a new milestone. Kaka, whose given name is Omario Brown, grew up in Waterhouse, St Andrew, before moving to Portmore, St Catherine's Phoenix Park. His love for dance ignited at the age of 10, although he initially remained reserved about it.

"Dancing has always been a part of me, but I was shy," Kaka reflected. His shyness eventually gave way to a growing passion for football, where he often wore a jersey featuring his idol, Kaka, of Brazil. This passion for football intertwined with his dance abilities, led him to perform dance routines on football fields and create viral dance challenges on TikTok. One notable challenge was for Squash's hit, Umballa, which gained widespread attention while he was a student at Kingston College.

"The TikTok challenge opened doors. Sooner than later, Team Highflames was formed with my friends and the more positive feedback received, especially from my colleagues and my teachers, the more motivation it provided to continue. We even entered Dancing Dynamites and placed fifth in the competition," Kaka said.

"In 2023, after graduating Kingston College, I decided to play with recording music to complement the dance moves the team and I created."

Kaka's debut track, Slingshot, quickly became a hit among the Gen Z audience, while his follow-up, Flamez Rock, garnered praise from the dancehall community. Seasoned dancers and artistes began incorporating his routines into their music videos and live performances. His growing catalogue features energetic dance tracks such as Drop It, Tun It Up, and Flamez Party.

His single, Chaarge, is inspired by the influence of Magnum Tonic Wine, while his performance style reflects the impact of international R&B stars and dancehall legends such as Bogle, Elephant Man, and Ding Dong.

Kaka's debut on the Reggae Sumfest stage came last year, where he performed alongside Roze Don. This year, he returned as a recording artiste, supported by his dynamic Team Highflames.

"Performing on that stage was incredible. I'm grateful for the hard work my team put in," Kaka said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

The rising star's journey has been marked by notable achievements and collaborations with artistes like Skeng and Ding Dong. He is currently preparing for the release of Scoop with Skeng and Jump, featuring both Skeng and Ding Dong.

His aim was to champion individuality and highlight dancehall's enduring spirit.

"I want every young person to know there's a star inside them waiting to shine and that it's okay to be different. We don't have to follow the same styles and lyrics as others. Dancehall needs its dancing, and I want to bring fun and energy back into the genre," Kaka said.