Brixton, London – May 27, 2024 – City Splash Festival transformed Brockwell Park into a lively celebration of Caribbean and African culture. Despite the rain and muddy conditions, the festival attracted around 30,000 attendees who enjoyed a day filled with energetic performances, delicious food, a creative market, and panel discussions that offered opportunities to engage with cultural crafts and insightful conversations, all contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
The festival boasted an impressive lineup featuring Reggae and Dancehall icons such as Capleton, Beenie Man, Shenseea and Busy Signal as headliners. Spanning seven stages, the event offered a diverse mix of musical genres from Reggae to Afrobeats. DJ sets also contributed to the high-energy atmosphere, keeping the crowd entertained.
Dancehall Ketch Up was invited by City Splash Festival and accompanied by Miss Rose, a renowned Jamaican dancer based in London, who provided invaluable insights into the U.K. Dancehall scene. Miss Rose introduced us to her fellow Jamaican dancers who attended the festival, helping us understand their background & person. Our aim was to capture the essence of Dancehall culture and showcase the dancers’ contributions to the vibrant atmosphere of City Splash.
Rachael Anson: Bringing Authentic Dancehall Vibes
Looking back at the festival, Rachael Anson made us smile and remains vivid in our memories as she brought a substantial number of Jamaican dancers on stage, creating an atmosphere rich in authentic Dancehall vibes next to DJ Kal-I. Notably, Rachael was one of the few who brought Jamaican dancers on stage – something we would have considered standard for a cultural festival like City Splash. This performance was a clear highlight for us; her dedication to cultural authenticity and joy, even as she danced alongside the dancers, provided an immersive experience that aligned closely with the festival’s celebration of Caribbean and African culture. Dancehall Ketch Up observed and captured this moment while many festival-goers were captivated by headliner Shenseea on another stage. We wished everyone could have experienced the authenticity and energy of Rachael Anson’s set and the dancers’ performance.
City Splash 2024 Highlights: Celebrating Dancehall Dancers, Artists and Caribbean Culture
Next to Miss Rose, we met DHK Shortman, another prominent Jamaican dancer based in the U.K. Both voiced their frustrations and hopes for better treatment and opportunities for dancers within the community. Miss Rose highlighted the lack of collaboration between major artists and dancers, pointing out that despite the presence of artists who would have complemented the dancers, none were recommended for performances. DHK Shortman echoed her sentiments, lamenting the missed opportunity as he watched Ding Dong’s performance from the crowd rather than being on stage with his fellow Jamaicans. Reflecting on the event with them after the show, he expressed thoughtfully, “We could have created history together.” Unfortunately, everyone agreed.
Miss Rose and DHK Shortman emphasized the critical importance of how Dancehall culture is represented globally. “What was shown on that stage becomes our representation”, Miss Rose remarked, underscoring the need to showcase the true talent and spirit of the Dancehall community. Both dancers stressed that accurate representation ensures the world sees dancers who embody the culture authentically and positively.
Call for Respect and Professionalism
Miss Rose called on U.K. artists and DJs to stop discussing dancers’ finances inappropriately and using tactics to benefit themselves at the expense of dancers. Drawing from her 20 years of experience, she asserted, “You can’t style me”, urging for respect and acknowledgment of dancers’ dedication beyond monetary considerations. DHK Shortman reinforced this sentiment, stating, “Dancing isn’t a joke to me, it’s my job, my career!” He highlighted Dancehall’s massive potential and called on U.K. promoters to treat dancers with the respect and professionalism they deserve.
A Call to Action: Embracing & Recognizing Dancehall Dancers
City Splash Festival 2024 was a vibrant celebration of Caribbean and African culture, showcasing the rich diversity of music and dance. However, it also highlighted significant challenges, particularly regarding representation and respect for dancers. The voices of Miss Rose, DHK Shortman and other dancers around underscore the urgent need for unity and proper representation to ensure the Dancehall culture thrives both locally and globally.
We wish to see more Jamaican dancers representing on big local stages like this. The inclusion of authentic Dancehall performances, as demonstrated by Rachael Anson, is crucial for an immersive cultural experience. Her set, featuring a substantial number of Jamaican dancers, provided a vivid example of the energy and authenticity that Dancehall can bring to such events.
For future festivals, we believe it is essential that promoters and organizers recognize the value that dancers add to the overall experience. Proper engagement and respect for these artists will not only enhance the festival’s atmosphere but also ensure that the true spirit of Dancehall is represented and celebrated.
Dancehall Ketch Up is here to support this vision. We can help promoters or artists and their management link with all authentic Jamaican dancers based in the U.K. By fostering these connections and supporting the Dancehall community, we can help ensure that every performance is rich in authenticity and cultural significance.
Where Music Meets Movement: Follow the Festival's Finest
To all the talented dancers & Deejay’s who graced the stage and brought authentic Dancehall vibes to life, we give you your flowers. Your dedication, energy, and passion were the heart of the festival for us, and we celebrate your incredible performances. Follow these amazing entertainers on social media to continue supporting their journey and stay connected with their inspiring work.
For those interested in taking classes with them and several other Jamaican dancers based in the U.K. and other parts of the world, check out our next blog entry, where we highlight Jamaican dancers living overseas and teaching. This resource can also help promoters identify who is actively dancing and teaching. However, keep in mind that there are many more talented Jamaican dancers beyond this list; it only includes those currently offering Dancehall classes.
Feel free to contact us anytime for more information or connections.
