B -boy Harry is one of the best dancers in Kenya, there is something captivating when you watch him dance, maybe it is the beautiful way he expresses the words through his dance .He loves to dance and he was not scared to take it up as a career.He reminds all of us to follow our hearts and pursue our talents. He is also exceptionally kind and humble , he has that mwanachi wa kawaida vibe that one just can't help relate to. Here is his story....- Who is B-boy Harry?
Harrison Muswahili better known as B-boy Harry. I am an established Dance Artist, Performer, Instructor, Choreographer and events promoter with a flair for life, born and raised in Kenya, I focus on bringing together our artistic community to a new platform for dancers and music artists to reach out,empower and give back.
- How did you get the name B-boy?
First and foremost the name B-boy or break boy comes from practicing b-boying or breakdancing, which is a style of street dance that originated primarily among Puerto Rican and African-American youth, during the mid-1970s. The dance spread worldwide due to its popularity in the media, While diverse in the amount of variation available in the dance, b-boying consists of four kinds of movement: top rock, down rock, power moves, and freezes. B-boying is typically danced to hip-hop , funk music, and especially breakbeats , although modern trends allow for much wider genres of music along certain ranges of tempo and beat patterns.
A practitioner of this dance is called a b-boy, b-girl, or breaker. Although the term "breakdance" is frequently used to refer to the dance in popular culture and in the mainstream entertainment industry, "b-boying" and "breaking" are the original terms. These terms are preferred by the majority of the pioneers and most notable practitioners. So through practice I got the name b-boy.
- When did you first know you want to do this?
I learned that I wanted to do this when I signed up with a dance crew back in 2007 called Shrink Krew and went for a competition dubbed Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa the impact we made then back at 2009 made me realize that I can pursue dance on a professional level.
- How has your journey been?
My journey has been challenging but great as well. Learning to be consistent and persistent has played a big role in my growth in the dance industry.
- The challenges?
There are a lot of challenges facing a common dancer in not only Kenya but Africa as whole, from life cover insurance to getting well paid shows, facilities such as good conditioned dance institutions/studios above all having supportive friends and family in this choice of career . - The worst event in your career?
Yeah, having done a show for two hours and the promoter decided to vanish without paying me. I considered that an introduction to my profession.
- The best event in your career?
Dance Unplugged & Mzuka Africa Dance Awards have been the best event in my career since they're the first dance events in Kenya to be organized by dancers for the dancers. The Dance Unplugged has been consistent for 7yrs consecutively.
- How did you come to form the band and what is it all about?
I came to form the band December last year but one (2015) when NTV gave me a slot to perform at one of their Christmas special news at one segment, the idea struck me on how can I be unique in delivering a memorable show so I approached two friends .One is a poet by the name Woken now based in Germanyand the other is TwiPro a guitarist from Rwanda but when woken moved to Germany and twipro had to pursue his studies I had to look for an alternative and that's how I came about to bring Ballo the poet Gift better known as I-man (he plays acoustic guitar) & Gerald (the percussionist) together to form this amazing band .We are about art and society and creating and raising change agents that can express and share their love for what they do.
- With so many dancers out there, you and your band are doing something relatively new How has the feedback been?
The feedback has amazing, people love and are inspired by what we do. Music, Poetry, Percussion and Dance is a universal language the artistry behind them to bring different people together gives them a common purpose and that's inspiration.
- What inspires your band?
The heart to grow in our Art is what inspires our band.
- What plans do you have for the band?
To do more shows/media tours across the nation and even outside. God willing we get blessed with huge success so we can mentor and help other like-minded bands to grow and share their art with the world.
- Where do you see yourself in a few years to come?
Nice question, In few years time I want to create dance institutions that will raise other dance talents giving them platforms for teaching, building and
presenting both local and international workshops, highlight showcases/events so as to give limelight to uprising talents in Kenya through music and dance.
To follow him ,here are his social handles
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube is @Bboyharryafrica .Facebook: Bboy Harry Africa
Check out his dance video here
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQLX469DmLa/?r=wa1
To follow him ,here are his social handles
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube is @Bboyharryafrica .Facebook: Bboy Harry Africa
Check out his dance video here
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQLX469DmLa/?r=wa1
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