adminSimbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO-based Explosion Dance Crew are over the moon after they beat 12 other dance groups at the 7th Jibilika Dance Festival finals in Harare last week. The four-man dance crew believes the triumph placed them among the top dance groups in the country with Anti-Virus, Hood Crankers and Extreme Vision Dance Crew. Explosion Dance Crew, which was created in 2010, walked away with $500 while first runners-up Break Equation got $250 and second runners-up Prototype Dance took home $100.
A member of Explosion, Mwezi Mwezi, said the victory put the city’s name on the map and also confirmed the group’s ascendancy to the pinnacle of Zimbabwe’s dance industry.
“This victory means a lot to us as a group as it is a stepping stone for us. Through this victory, we have managed to raise the Bulawayo flag high as we have shown that in Bulawayo we are alive.
“We respect other groups who were in this competition with us, they had the same chance of winning. We also appreciate the support that we have received from the organisers of the contest themselves,” he said.
Mwezi said Explosion’s victory was proof that dance was growing in the city and urged more dance crews to start participating in competitions such as Jibilika.
“Dancing has impressively grown in Bulawayo. Most crews are taking their acts to amazing levels as they are getting recognition from dance crews in Harare and around the country.
“Bulawayo is one of the cities that have talented artistes in the country as this is evidenced by our victory. Evidence is also shown by the top two groups who won in the competition who are Break Equation and ourselves.”
Explosion Dance Crew came first at the Word of Life Church-run Extreme Believers’ Boopers Battle held last month. They are also in the final round of the country’s largest talent show Starbrite.
“We are happy things seem to be working out well for us. Just some few weeks ago, we were crowned the winners of the Believers’ Boppers Battle dance and received $500 after we had battled stiff competition.
“We are also in the final stages of Starbrite in the dance categories. We admit, there is much competition but I am pretty sure that winning Jibilika this year has confirmed that we can win any battle so we would like to assure Bulawayo that we are going to bring the title home,” he said.
Explosion Dance Crew has performed at the National Arts Merit Awards with Khuxxman and Iyasa and according to Mwezi, this has given them the experience they need to tackle competitions of any nature.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo