By Kevin Jackson—
THE fourth time turned out to be the lucky charm for six-member dance group Str8 Edge Classic Dancers. The outfit emerged winners in the 10th staging of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-promoted World Reggae Dance Championship held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, last Wednesday.
“We are just overjoyed. This is a great feeling. We entered this competition three times before and we just feel good to win. We entered so many dance competitions and never won. Sometimes, we felt like giving up,” said an emotional Andre Campbell, group member.
Str8 Edge Classic Dancers was named Best Costumed Group.
The dancers were judged on a number of factors including choreography, costume and originality.
Formed three years ago, the group members reside across the Corporate Area and Clarendon.
The World Reggae Dance Championship finals saw 15 local groups and one Japanese dance group, Ducati Dancazzz, competing for $500,000 cash as well as other prizes.
In a hotly contested event, High Voltage Dancers from St Thomas, Dustville Dancers from St Ann, Dominant Nation from Kingston, Outshine Dancers from Kingston, Dynamix Team from Kingston, and Str8 Edge Classic Dancers were the standout acts.
With their well-choreographed routine, Str8 Edge Classic’s set recounted entertainer Vybz Kartel’s high-profile court trial, in which he received life sentence for the disappearance of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. The routine was a hit with the jam-packed Ranny Williams Entertainment Center in St Andrew.
Other competing dance groups included Dancers of Jamaica (DOJ), D’Koloni Dancers, Extreme Pushers, Equanoxx Skankaz, Jose Marti Dance Troupe, the all-female Jack Hammer Squad, Hectic Untouchable, Mad Vybes, and Problem Squad Dancers.
Japan’s Ducati Dancazzz won the sectional prize for Most Disciplined Group (cash prize of $30,000). They also picked up the award for Best International Entrant.
D’Koloni Dancers were named third-place winners and received a cash prize of $100,000 along with a trophy courtesy of the UDC.
Dominant Nation, who displayed agility and depth in their choreography, were named second-place winners and received a cash prize of $200,000, along with a trophy courtesy of sponsor J Wray and Nephew Limited for their efforts.
Prior to the presentation of each dance group, there was a sound clash of sorts between sound system Coppershot and DJ Chris Diamond of Code Red. The winner of the clash determined by the crowd was Chris Diamond.
Dancehall kingpin Beenie Man and singer Ce’Cile delivered entertaining sets that kept patrons on a musical high.
The World Reggae Dance Championship began in 2006 in an effort to give national and international exposure to talents that exist in reggae, roots and dancehall genres.
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