Ken Moves wants dancers to receive their flowers

Dancers are the unsung heroes of the entertainment industry of Uganda.

Dancers have lit up concerts and featured in music videos; however, why does all the fame and money go to the supported artiste and not the dancer? In 2010, veteran singer Eddy Kenzo had his breakthrough song* Stamina*, which was made famous by the dance strokes created by dancer Ronnie Julian.

Many may be hard-pressed to sing anything beyond *‘eno stamina… stamina…’ *in that song, but ask them to do the *Stamina *dance, and see. Kenzo went on to become a global star, while Ronnie retreated into a quiet life in the suburbs, highlighted by financial struggles.

Kenzo, more than any other Ugandan artiste probably, understands the power of dance to a song’s success. In 2014, he featured the Triplets Ghetto Kids on his award-winning song Sitya Loss, which many still argue that it owes its global success to the children’s dancing and Wembly Mo’s choreography.

Ronnie Julian

To Kenzo’s credit, Sitya Loss also launched the Ghetto Kids to international fame – a rarity for dancers. Fast forward to 2017, and Fresh Boy Fik Fameica stepped onto the scene with songs including Kutama, Kachima, Byenyenya, Mafia, among others, which again featured one of the most respected Ugandan choreographers, Wembly Mo.

More recently, we have had dancer Mulo Mazina feature and choreograph some of the latest dance strokes that have shaped the Gen Z dance scene, including Tema Ensingo in Kapeke’s Kaba song, but chances are, in the long run the industry will only remember Kapeke.

But one wonders, did Wembly Mo benefit from his prime just like Fik and Kenzo did? Does Eddy Wizzy have something to show for his career since the mid-noughties, like the singers he stepped on stage with, or was all he gained from his prime clout and benefits that come with surrounding oneself with famous musicians?

Is the industry kind enough to give Eddy Wizzy his flowers while he is still alive? Do awards have a dancers category to honour the performances of dancers like Eddy, Julian, Wembly or even Ritah Dancehall?

**ENTER KEN MOVES **

And who better to answer these questions than the most followed dancer in Uganda, Ken Moves, 24, who through dance, has accumulated more than 4.8M followers across all social media platforms and is rated among the top 10 dancers on the African continent.

The young choreographer, dancer and creative director started his career in 2019, but blew up in 2023 using the TikTok songs of *Hajji by Vivian Mimi and Chaw Chaw *by Fik Fameica.

His fame has come with brand deals in and outside Uganda that helped him generate real money from dancing outside the small box of music videos and concerts. Ken believes that dancers in Uganda are underappreciated by the arts industry, and blames this on the crippling nature of Ugandan parenting.

He said during an interview with *The Observer, *that often parents suppress their children’s talents as they force traditional jobs such as doctors, teachers, etc which has forced dancers to master their craft from the shadows and not fight for a spot on the main stage.

“This is why there are no categories for dancers in Ugandan awards and no dancer really cares,” he said. “Back in the day, dancers needed musicians more than musicians needed dancers, because the only way dancers could be seen was through music videos and concerts.”

Not anymore; like Ken has demonstrated, there is dance beyond being a video or stage vixen. He has made millions and acquired fame away from the those traditional platforms, noting that he has been asked to dance for free in multiple music videos, by artistes still following an old script (thinking dancers only get visibility from videos and stage).

Ken believes the rise of star dancers such as Wembly Mo, Eddy Wizzy, Ibrah Buwembo, and the coming of social media helped pave a way for a new breed of dancers who do not only dance to be seen but can also secure brand deals and convert their followings into sources of income through selling branded merch.

Ken Moves, for instance, sells hoodies, sweatpants and sweater shirts with his brand. He also believes that one day he will hold a concert at a big venue like Lugogo Cricket Oval and his fans will turn up to watch him dance.

It is possible, and has been done elsewhere in Nigeria, South Africa and the USA. Someone in Uganda just has to step up and have a promoter take a chance on him/her, and Ken Moves is ready to be that dancer.

Dancers like Kida the Great, Les Twins have held concerts and have also been able to monetize their craft.

“Our industry is still young but with time, dancers will be given the flowers they deserve,” Ken said.

He believes that if dancers get serious with their craft and be professional, they will also drive expensive cars and build mansions like the musicians they support; above all, they will attract the attention of media houses, event organisers and award galas.

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