The evolving dance scene

It has been said that, “Music is the shorthand of emotion,” and “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” Similarly, about dance, it has been said that it is “the hidden language of the soul” and “Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.”

A recent research has shown that the 30-plus years that music videos have been a regular part of the release cycle for a musician/band, they have changed beyond recognition.

A few point out some of its propellers to be the increased importance of YouTube and the proliferation of affordable filmmaking equipment. Through it all, though, one trope has steadily managed to survive each of these incarnations — the dance. The colour they’ve added to music videos all through can’t go undocumented and, as most recent ones have ascertained, it has never been bigger. Here are some of the music videos that have stamped this truth.

Bazokizo by Bruz Newton and Collo

It looked like a gag when the video was released with its old school nature and numerous dance crews showcasing their prowess in a dance that seemed comic. However, even though this old sound that was overriding throughout the song had been missed by Kenyans, its originators say it couldn’t have been as big without the dance moves that catch the eye throughout the video.

The whole country went into the Bazokizo dance including top personalities during team building activities and parties, where they would be required to shake a leg by a humorous emcee. “Bazokizo is a celebration for a new life in Christ, making it an identity in this generation. It originated from the name of the dancer who created it, Joseph Mumbi Bazo,” reveals Bruz Newton. “I started off as a dancer in a group called The Band and we even won a Sakata award as the best East African Dance Crew. When I joined music I had to employ the same trope to pass my message being the best way I knew how.”

Odi dance by Timeless Noel, Hype Ochi and Jabidii

Odi dance, derived from the word "ordinary", is a dance style you can’t dismiss as its obsession is all over the country without frontiers of any age bracket. The young, the middle-aged and the old wouldn’t mind to break into a dance when a common ballad plays whether in the eerie silence of the ether or in a social gathering. That dance would in most instances be Odi dance. This dance was popular way before this trio put it into a song, but it is the song that gave it more verve and colour making it viral.

The most thrilling and dominant feature of the dance is where you pump both of your fists in the air rhythmically. It is assumed to be the dance that involves moving every part of your body in ecstasy.

“We wanted to plunge into the music industry and, being dancers, the only way we could think of was by initiating dance as the most dominant aspect in any song we would do. That’s how we identified Odi which was already a ménage move in the country,” shares Hype Ochi, one among the trio.

“Odi Dance” scooped 3 highly coveted awards in the annual Groove Awards.

Steven Wamba is of a contrary opinion, “When you depend on a dance to make a song big, your career as an artiste will be short lived. Both the dance and the song should complement each other, meaning a content-rich song before the dance comes into the picture.”

Short and sweet by Sauti Sol featuring Nyashinski

Here, two legends – a band and a solo artiste – came together in a mellowed tune but not with any intention to popularise a dance. The track would later adopt a retro tune that only Odi dance is what comes to your mind whenever you hear it play. Auspiciously, the video director Nate Thomas employed the old school theme so adeptly that it matched the Odi dance and here, the name Aggie the Dancer might ring a bell to many who follow the showbiz scene closely, or can’t go a day without going on social media to cool off a day’s hectic diary.

The Sarakasi dancers virtually made everyone to press replay numerous times not only to esteem the song but also due to the vim the dancers added to it. They christened it the Odi with Swagg and it arguably went on to fetch more popularity than the song itself, with Aggie the Dancer riding highest on the fame. "Short and Sweet"is a good definition of a balance between a good song and a good dance.

“I’m certain that none could have been as popular without the other,” says Winnie Mwende, who’s yearning to join Sarakasi dancers after this video went viral.

Zigwembe by Bruz Newton

Zigwembe is slang for the gastrocnemius muscles of the posterior leg. In this song, it simply symbolises God’s power in us that enables us to stand against the wiles of the enemy. Just a few days upon its release, it had gone viral, and to date, even when you can’t sing the lyrics, you will stand alert in readiness for the dance section. It almost appears like Bruz creates his songs out of dance moves. Contrary to that opinion, he shared withBuzzthat he bases his music on the word of God.

“I first listen to what God wants me to sing. I also love worship music, so I do my best to write a danceable but content-filled song. This is because my vision is to be the best performing gospel artiste globally.”

His style is correspondingly manifest in his new release dubbed “Sidinyo”, where he features Phil Kimemia and it’s a wait-and-see tale whether it will be as big.

Shakushaku by Boss MOG & Gwaragwara by Mr Seed

Shakushaku-Gwaragawara is debatably the biggest dance move right now in Africa as top acts including Wizkid, Davido, Diamond and Mr Eazi among others have constantly taken to their personal accounts to showcase their prowess in the move and have recently integrated the same in their music videos. Here in Kenya, Boss MOG and Mr Seed decided to ride high on its popularity too and true to their word, their songs were trending the moment they were released.

“Kenya is a dancing country and the idea of slotting in dance into music videos works wonders for the song regardless of the magnitude of the artiste’s brand,” disclosed Boss.

International dance songs that went viral

Azonto: Fuse ODG ft. Tiffany

This dance became a mega-hit when Chris brown included it in his choreography. The dance move originated from Ghana and took over the dance floors almost immediately after its release. Most musicians then went ahead to incorporate the same dance in most African songs.

Watch Me (Whip/nae nae) by Silento

This song became a mega-hit as everybody was recording himself nae naeing as it was popularly styled. The song is a tribute to various dance moves but for some reason, it became very popular and even hit the 1 billion views mark on You Tube. So big was the dance that even Hillary Clinton Danced to it when she appeared on the Ellen Show.

Gangnam style by Psy

The phrase "Gangnam Style" is a Korean neologism that refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul. The song and its accompanying music video went viral in August 2012 and have influenced popular culture worldwide since then. "Gangnam Style" received mixed to positive reviews, with praise going to its catchy beat and Psy's amusing dance moves (which themselves have become a phenomenon) in the music video and during live performances in various locations around the world. In September 2012, "Gangnam Style" was recognised by Guinness World Records.

Selfie: Koffi Olomide

Congolese music from the past has valued so much the role dance does. Koffi Olomide is one of the artistes who’ve confirmed this throughout his musical career but Selfie was on another whole new level. It gained international significance when the Kenyan Rugby 7s team used it to celebrate their historic win in Singapore.