Black Blingaz returns after 15-year break

Nineties dance group Black Bingaz has reunited for their 22nd anniversary following a 15-year break.

This was disclosed by the group founding member John Bling, who told THE STAR that they will be making their first reappearance as a group later this month via an online workshop.

"Then we will be embarking on some shows and some tours. The legacy that we create is very big, and you have a lot of people who respect the work that we do and they want to learn from the creators. The substance in dancing kinda missing and the people dem miss the middle-school dancers being in the space, so we are back," John Bling said.

Black Blingaz also consists of founding members Chris Bling, Marlon Bling, Migz Bling, German Bling and TwoLife. John Bling described their reunion as nostalgic.

"It bring back a feeling of when we just started out. I like the fact that we were able to bury all hatchets, and whatever disagreements that we had when we were younger are behind us. It's a good feeling to know that we can come together and sit around the table and put our differences aside," he said.

"It was the first time in 15 years that all of us were able to share the same space. It was just good to link up and sit down with mi bredda dem; and it wasn't just the founding members, but we also link up with the extended members of the group as well," he added.

He stated that there were hardly any other dance groups who kept the momentum going after they took a break.

"It was only necessary that we come back in to keep the ting alive, because we nuh dead. The only reason we not in the space is because all of the other man dem venture out, and people start their family and just start doing different things. Some of them got discouraged because we were not getting compensated the right way for the work that we put in," he said.

"I have always been fighting for the way they treat dancers, because dancers are not compensated properly for their craft. They also don't get enough to tour or make dancing a living so they can take care of themselves and family. There are artistes who will even sing about our dance moves and refuse to compensate us," John Bling added.

Black Blingaz created several dance moves, including 'Tek Whe Yuh Self', 'Block Dem Out' and 'Eva Fresh Eva Clean'. John Bling said thatwhile he is not dragging down anyone for their effort, the industry is lacking substance and longevity as it relates to dance creations.

"Dancing stop from 2015. The dances weh dem a create now nuh really make sense, because dem nuh have no substance inna dem. The beats dem change and the dancers now a dance with the uptempo beat, so that make the groove gone. We inspire a lot of dancers and it's our moves a feed the dancehall right now. The only thing is that they are remixing it. The dances weh dem a build now don't make any sense," John Bling said.