Crazy Hype showing Rvssians how it's done. - Contributed

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Local dancer Crazy Hype and his M.O.B dance crew have been popular on the dance circuit since early 2000. However, over the last three years, the dancer has become a household name in several other countries outside of Jamaica, this he credits to his work on several music videos notably Bumaye.

According to the dancer, Jamaicans don't value dancers at the level which they ought to. However, in foreign countries they are nothing short of superstars.

"When I am in places in Europe, the people can't get enough of me. They recognise me from the Bumaye music video and even in the streets. It's like I cant walk because they recognise me," he said.

Move abroad

The dancer, who was a friend of the late dance icon 'Bogle', says much of his popularity must be credited to the dance move which he did in the music video, a move which was popularised by Bogle himself.

"When people see the dance move, dem a sey no sah a di living Bogle dat, because they recognise the dance and people always ask me to do that move abroad," he said.

The award-winning dancer is not only known for his dancing skills, but also his writing skills, and recently penned the lyrics to a new dance song which will be released in 2015. The dancer also co-wrote a single which will be featured on the album of a well-known European artiste.

"As a dancer, you have to be versatile. It is not only about dancing, you have to be educated, and if not at least be street smart. You have to know about your culture and your music roots and you must respect the persons who set it for us because when you go to foreign countries, those are the things they want to learn from us. I was recently featured during the prime time news segment in France, and that is a huge deal for a dancer and reggae music so it's not a joke thing," the dancer said.

Winning team

The dancer also performed at the welcome party for Germany's World Cup winning team. According to the dancer, the audience totalled more than 400,000 persons and the experience was unbelievable.

Crazy Hype is now looking to visit new countries in an attempt to expose Jamaican dancing to a wider audience.

"I have been to almost everywhere in Europe spreading Jamaican dancing and teaching people the culture. But I want to go to some new places now like in the Middle East, yu nuh. Places like Israel and dem place deh mi wah guh now," he told Dancers Paradise.