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Nigeria Dance Steps Since 2000: Which is Your Favourite?

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By Timothy Edaki

Dance, they say is the rhythmic movement of the body. It can be the movement of the body in consonance to sounds. Dance is an art, but it isn’t just an art as most people believe. For some folks, it is a form of therapy, a healing balm, a form of help to troubled and disheveled minds and hearts.

Dance as earlier said is also an entertainment, a way of expressing joy and excitement and without mincing words, Nigeria is a dance loving country. The nation is known for churning out frequently, dance steps and moves.

Ever since Kafayat, better known as Kaffy won the prestigious dancethon and made it to the Guiness Book of Records, more and more Nigerians have taken to dancing as a vocation.

This article gives a breakdown of dance steps in Nigeria since the year 2000.

Makossa:

This is not really a Nigerian dance. It steams from Congo and even has a Congolese song with the name but Nigerians, lovers of all good things were quick to incorporate the dance steps, which entails movement of the legs curved sideways back and front. The dance was an offshoot from the late 1990s and was made popular by Awilo Longomba and Koffi Olomide who enjoyed massive success for their inputs, especially in Nigeria

Interestingly, the word Makossa is not a Congolese word but from the Cameroon Douala language meaning dance.

Galala:

For the older folks, this dance will be best remembered of as being brought into the limelight by Rasta man, Daddy Showkey. Other artistes contributed their own quota to the dance movement, including the late Ras Kimono and Blacky. The dance is a true friend of the high and low, in short everyone dances it.

Suo:

Immediately after Galala, Suo came into the spotlight. Originated by Marvelous Benji in the song titled Suo, and promoted by the Danfo Drivers, the dance was an offspring of the former, Galala. It began from the Ajegunle area of Lagos and soon moved to other parts of the nation.

Yahooze:

This dance came to the fore in 2008 by Olu Maintain and became an instant hit. It was loved all over, in clubs, bars, hotel, parties and social gatherings. The dance involved a movement of the hands with two fingers moved up while the other fingers stay folded and the hand moved slowly from the shoulder in synchrony to the song.

Alanta:

A popular dance but one that was disliked by a lot of Christians who found the song as an expression of what those condemned to hell fire would face. It was a dance that one did raising one’s hand over the stomach and chest as if one was on fire with varied faces of someone on fire. The legs also followed in the movement. The dance was made popular by the group, Artquake in their song Alanta.

Azonto:

Originally, a Ghanian dance but one that Nigerians made popular, especially after the Starboy crooner, Wizkid did a hit song titled Azonto. The dance is still one of the country’s favorite as it remains evergreen. It involved the use of the hands and the legs.

Kukere:

The dance has its root in the Cross River state of the nation. It was made popular by ome time Project Fame winner, Inyanya in his song Kukere. It had a very short stint with the populace, probably because it was quite an easy dance to do. It is however, still evident in a number of dance routines and rehearsals.

Skelewu:

It also had a very short duration in the country and was brought to the fore by the OBO,  Davido in his hit song, Skelewu. It was one song that gained prominence immediately and was on numerous chats for many weeks.

Shoki:

This dance literally stole the day. It was a hit. Everyone danced it, from politicians to business moguls to those on the street. It was the dance of the people, with the people and for the people. One cannot really credit anyone as the progenitor of this dance because it was already in vogue before the media blew it to popularity. However, rapper Lil Kesh and Orezi would be credited for their early promotion of the dance in their respective songs titled Shoki.

Sekem:

The dance also had quite a short duration, perhaps because for anyone conversant with dance, it bore a resemblance to the legendary Michael Jackson’s ‘Moon walk’ which was on its own quite a difficult dance move.  It was exemplified in the song, Sekem by Mc Galaxy who doubles as the proprietor of the said dance.

Shakiti Bobo:

The dance was brought to the fore by the acclaimed Voice of the street, Olamide in his song, Bobo. As characteristic with Olamide’s songs, the dance and song immediately spread like wildfire among Lagosians. The dance involved standing on one leg with the other slightly raised up while the hands moved up and down.

Shaku Shaku:

It is doubtful that there is anyone who doesn’t know this dance. It is popular and trending and social media has done more to promote it than anyone can imagine although credit always goes to Olamide as the pioneer of the dance in his song ‘Science student’. However, the major promoters of the dance are Idowest and Slimcase in their songs ‘Shepeteri’ and ‘Legbegbe’.

These are just a few; a lot of other dance steps and moves have made waves at one time or another including P-Square’s Alingo, the Ghanaian ‘One Corner’ dance. More dance steps are gradually coming into the country and Nigerians are ever prepared to rock the boat. Already, there is the ‘Gwara Gwara’ and most recently Olamide’s ‘Motogbana’

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Entertainment

Davido Reunites with First Daughter, Imade, Says It’s ‘Best Day of My Life’

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Nigerian music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido is basking in fatherly joy as he reunites with his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, amid a heated custody battle with her mother, Sophia Momodu.

Taking to his Instagram page stories on Wednesday, the award-winning Afrobeats star shared a heartwarming photo of himself with 10-year-old Imade, both smiling for the camera. He also posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call between himself, Imade, and his second daughter, Hailey.

In a short, emotional caption, Davido wrote, “Best day of my life”.

This joyful reunion comes after a long-drawn custody dispute that began in 2022.

In June 2023, Davido filed a lawsuit seeking joint custody of Imade, claiming that Sophia had denied him access to their daughter while allegedly demanding excessive financial support, allegations she denied.

Sophia, in response, filed a counter affidavit opposing Davido’s request, citing concerns over his lifestyle and the tragic loss of his son, Ifeanyi, as reasons why he should not have full or joint custody.

The relationship between the former lovers soured even further after Davido rekindled his romance with Chioma Rowland, who is now his wife.

She also accused the singer of financial abuse and using access to their daughter as a form of manipulation.
The Punch

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Mercy Johnson Reveals Reason Behind Weight Loss, Says I Had Cancer Scare, Underwent Thyroid Surgery

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Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has opened up about her health struggles and her sudden weight loss.

The movie star recently sparked concerns with her drastic weight loss, which has been the subject of intense discussion across social media platforms.

In a recent conversation with veteran actress Joke Silva, Okojie explained that she had a cancer scare and underwent a thyroid removal surgery.

She said, “I had a cancer scare and I had my thyroid removed. I was like a journey for us because we have kids and my lastborn was six month old at that time, we [my husband and I] kept saying, we had to understand this is the new us, let’s go get the surgery done.

“When we got there, they said that I was going to be on medication for the rest of my life. We had to sit down, they were saying I can’t miss my medication, telling me the side effects. So, I’m reconciling with this you are saying [my weight loss]. I’m at the point where you realised that this is where we are, let’s grow from here and live in this comfort zone.”

DailyPost

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Nobody Kidnapped Me, Sunny Ade Dispels Abduction Rumours

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Juju music singer, King Sunny Ade, has finally spoken to dispel the swirling rumour that he has been kidnapped.

For several days, social media platforms were abuzz with speculation that the musician had been abducted, leaving his fans both worried and confused.

In response to the frenzy, Sunny Ade took to a video released by his wife, Mrs. Bose Olubo-Adegeye, to dispel the unfounded rumours.

“Nobody kidnapped me,” the renowned singer said with his accustomed calmness.

“I pray, as I don’t want anybody to kidnap me. I believe the whole world is in love with me. This is me, King Sunny Ade.

“I have to thank God and you, my fans, for the concern. I have been doing my shows. I was at a show last Saturday at Lekki, Lagos. I am on my way to have a show, and I am coming back again to play in Lagos, as well,” he said.

Sunny Ade, fondly referred to as KSA, reassured his fans, thanking them for their concern and love.

The musician explained that the confusion surrounding his absence could have been linked to the fact that some of his children hadn’t seen him recently.

“I know my children are in love with me, and they want to see me. I didn’t go anywhere. This is me. I thank the children, too, for their concern as well,” KSA added.

The 78-year-old star, who is known for his vibrant performances and contributions to Nigerian music, expressed his continued passion for music.

“By God’s grace, enjoyment continues. I am still in music. Music is my life; it is my business, and I will continue to do it.”

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