“So you just pull the guns, then let go like this…” If there’s one dance style that seriously knows how to get the party started, it’s Dancehall. We recently met up with Dancehall instructor Karina Palmira, who gave us a crash course in how to move like a Dancehall pro.
Meet Karina Palmira…
A member of Moto Dancers – the very first Afrobeats dance crew in the Middle East – Karina Palmira is a Dancehall and Afrobeats Dance instructor in Dubai. Her dancing career began with ballet, and then after exploring an array of different styles and genres, she discovered her passion for Dancehall. Here’s what she had to say when we got chatting about Dancehall…
What do you like most about Dancehall? “Dancehall is really different. It’s can be very feminine at some points and sometimes it’s aggressive. Sometimes it’s very smooth and about love. Dancehall is a super social dance style. You can’t do it by yourself – you have to socialise. What I really love is that Dancehall is a language that people use to express everything from anger to social issues.”
What’s the difference between Afrobeats Dance and Dancehall? “Most of the dance styles originate from Africa. Africa is a huge cultural continent where each country has its own dance style. They’re all so different and so beautiful. Africa is the mother of dance which is why I actually went to Africa to learn the dance. The main difference between the two dance styles is that Afrobeats originates from Africa – it originally first came from Nigeria. And Dancehall originates from Jamaica.”
An intro to Dancehall…
Dancehall is all about good vibes, positive attitude and energy. Originating from Jamaica, this lively dance style has quickly become super popular around the world and is well known for its fast, expressive and African-influenced moves. Dancehall is a lot more than just a dance style. It’s a cultural way of socialising and expressing yourself through dance. You’ll often see Dancehall moves in popular music videos by international artists such as Rihanna, Sean Paul and more.
Fancy trying it out? Follow @karinapalma on Instagram for more Dancehall inspo!