Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BULAWAYO-bred artiste Majoer Prodi has revealed that participating at this year’s Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa was an eye opener as he learnt different dynamics of penetrating the showbiz market and staying relevant as a creative.
The Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa took place at the Cirk, Cresta shopping centre in South Africa. It is an annually held international dance event that brings together the most talented dancers from Southern Africa and beyond.
The competition not only spotlights the dancers’ artistic skills but also provides a platform for gaining international exposure and recognition in the global dance community.
At the two-day event, a conference was held, providing a platform for sharing of knowledge, insights and discussions on dance, music and style. The conference was led by a panel of esteemed judges from different countries such as Korea, Canada, Ghana and South Africa.
An exhibition was also held as it featured showcasing of dances from international dancers such as Starlock (Cyprus), Verb (SA), Outrage (USA) and Mew from (South Korea).
Majoer Prodi, who attended the event alongside 2D animator Wayne Ndebele, Uncle Stunna and Afro-Amapiano dancer Denzel Mpfeka, said being part of participants at the event managed to equip him with skills of packaging and managing his craft as well as understanding the needs of his targeted market.
“My experience at the Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa was exhilarating. The energy was electric, and the talent on display was incredible. I had the chance to connect with fellow creatives and learnt a lot from different industry experts, who have experience in brand management.
“I attended the event as a master of ceremony for one of the segments at the boot camp. As the captain of team Zimbabwe, I am proud because we managed to be among top performers at the event. “We were silver medallists in the Afro-category. One of us, Uncle Stunna, managed to compete in the one-on-one Afro-style final battles.
“Wayne Ndebele also managed to have an interview on YFM. We were thrilled with the recognition as it means a lot to us,” said Majoer Prodi.
The artist further said that he learnt the importance of collaboration as it makes work much more creative and easier, especially if the collaborators are from different backgrounds.
“My major takeaway is the importance of collaboration and networking. Meeting other creatives and learning from their experiences was invaluable. It opened up new opportunities and inspired me to push my creative boundaries as we were working with an international network, Trace Africa, and a renowned radio station that promotes the youth —YFM,” he said.
