RDX

Dancehall duo RDX has come under fire from some local dancers after one-half of the duo, Renegade, sent out a controversial BlackBerry broadcast which apparently targeted the dancing community.

In the broadcast, dancers were accused of being ungrateful and non-productive.

The BBM broadcast read: "MESSAGE TO DANCEHALL DANCERS: Once upon a time dancing was at the forefront of dancehall where ordinary kids from the street became celebrities thru the art of dancing. RDX, Voicemail among others were pivotal in this movement. Then many dancers were struck by an epidemic called UNGRATEFUL and the dancing songs came to a halt. Some dancers run off go U.S., become moggla, cookout promoter etc. Some all get lean to. Dancehall cannot exist without dancing, so big up to the real one dem who holding up DANCING CULTURE #DanceOrDie."

According to female dancer Keiva, the broadcast is disrespectful. She went on to say that it is ironic that RDX should claim that dancers are ungrateful when they themselves are ungrateful. She added that the mere fact that RDX did not pay homage to Elephant Man in the broadcast shows ungratefulness, because he is one of the artistes that made dancers and their dances popular.

"Dem sey dancers a run off lef Jamaica and a lie because all of the major dancers are still in Jamaica. And those that run off all the better, because if a RDX alone dem dead fi hungry, if a fi some artistes dancers nuh eat," Keiva said.

local dancers

Keiva - file photos

The dancehall diva cites international artiste Beyonce as an example of an entertainer who utilizes the services of dancers during her performances and tours.

Keiva believes Jamaican artistes should consider incorporating local dancers into their performances and recommending them to the promoters in the event that they (the artistes) don't want to stand the additional cost themselves.

"Wi have to give thanks to the promoters, because if a neva dem wi wouldn't a get tours nor visa. Some of these artistes only take our dance moves and make hit songs and we don't benefit. But they have to understand that dancing is a part of entertainment. I bought my first car cash out of dancing," Keiva said.

She further stated that RDX's broadcast was unnecessary because there was no ongoing friction between the dancing community and the duo.

"Dancers turn moggler and cook out promoter? It better dem do that than thief because unno nah duh nothing fi dancers. We work for artistes and don't get paid. Voicemail and Elephant Man would never send out a broadcast like that. Is dancing put RDX pon di map a pure love song dem used to sing, so is dem ungrateful. Dem all call dancer fish? After di dancer dem duh so much fi yu a fish yah call dem? No man, dat ungrateful," an outspoken Keiva said.

dance moves

She also encouraged internationally recognised artistes like Sean Paul to assist in the development of local talent. She says the Gimme Di Light music video had authentic Jamaican dance moves, yet the dancers weren't the real Jamaican dancers who created the moves.

Renegade of RDX defended the broadcast saying it was sent to give dancers a wake-up call, because they have become dormant and have allowed Europeans to steal their work.

"The cook out promoter and the ones that are mogglers will take offence, I just throw a stone in the pig pen so the one who bawl out a dem guilty," Renegade said.

Renegade says RDX does not use professional dancers in performances, however, if they were to call upon their services, then they would be paid.

Dancer John Bling of Black Blingaz dance group also commented on the matter. He said everybody is entitled to their opinion, however, recording artistes have also contributed to the decline in dancing at events, because they have not released much dance oriented songs in recent times.

RDX is scheduled to release new songs for the summer including a new video called Gyal Come Wine, while John Bling is promoting a new dance move called 'Smooth and A Move'.

John Bling