Nicholas Botchey, known as Afrobeast, is making a highly anticipated return to the global dance scene after a lengthy break.
As a co-founder of the DWP Academy, he recently reignited his career with a performance in London, marking the collective’s first show in the city.
His comeback delighted fans eager to witness his exceptional talent once more.
Afrobeast, who was featured at the recent Ghana Party in the Park, is setting off on a world tour, starting with his London debut where he displayed his signature Afro-dance moves.
Afrobeast began his dance journey in high school, honing his skills and challenging peers at institutions like Tema Senior High School.
He is recognized for significantly contributing to the revival of Ghanaian dance music, having choreographed for major artists such as Beyoncé on the “Black is King” album and Usher in Accra.
Reflecting on his return, Afrobeast shared on social media, “Twelve years of dedication and hard work have molded me into the dancer I am today. Dance is not just a pursuit for me; it is my essence and my way of engaging with the world. Now, after 15 years, my tour has officially begun in London—a truly unforgettable start. But this is only the beginning.”
British-Ghanaian musician Fuse ODG expressed his excitement for the Ghanaian dancing duo Afronitaa and Abigail, who clinched a spot in the finale of Britain’s Got Talent in London.
Their success came after they won the public vote in the fourth semi-final.
Afronitaa and Abigail who danced to during Fuse ODG’s “Antenna” and “Dangerous Love” their first performance danced to Fuse’s Taking to his IG page expressed his excitement, pride in a congratulatory message to the Ghanaian dance duo.
In a post on his Instagram page he wrote
“So proud of @afronitaaa & Princess @abigail_dromo I had to make sure I was in the country to support them❤️💪🏿
The culture has come so far from zero or negative representation to the whole country seeing Africa in a celebratory manner. This is what we worked for! This Is truly New Africa…🌎✈️💯
Congratulations @afronitaaa and Princess @abigail_dromo for getting through to the finals 🥳🇬🇭🌎✈️
Ghanaian dancer Endurance Grand, from the esteemed DWP Academy, is poised to showcase Ghana’s vibrant dance culture on a global stage.
Selected to represent the country at the highly anticipated 2024 Culture Dance Clash Festival in Berlin, Germany, Endurance brings a wealth of talent and cultural insight to Europe’s largest celebration of Black dance cultures.
Founded by Prince Ofori and Margarita Bönning-Ofori, the Culture Dance Clash Festival marks its 10th anniversary this year under the theme “Rooted Fruits,” emphasizing the rich heritage and evolution of dance traditions.
Scheduled from the 15th to the 20th of May, the festival promises a dynamic lineup of workshops, classes, and the electrifying Culture Dance Clash battles.
Endurance Grand’s participation goes beyond judging and speaking; she embodies the essence of Afro dance styles and will lead an engaging Afropop workshop, fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning.
With her infectious energy and extensive experience, Endurance is set to leave a lasting impact on this prestigious international stage, affirming the global influence of Ghanaian dance and culture.
The Dance with a Purpose Academy, known for captivating TikTok choreographies, is showcasing their musical prowess with the release of “Feeli Free.”
Collaborating with ‘Balance It’ star D Jay, this song is a lively anthem that encapsulates the festive spirit of December. With its infectious beat and captivating vocals, “Feeli Free” promises an exhilarating experience for enthusiasts.
Discovering them as proficient hitmakers might surprise you, considering their fame as a professional dance group dominating TikTok. However, the Dance with a Purpose Academy is proving their versatility by delving into the music scene.
Their latest creation, “Feeli Free,” not only features the talents of D Jay but also delivers a musical masterpiece that is set to captivate audiences.
The infectious energy of “Feeli Free” is designed to ensure that listeners have a thrilling experience. Crafted by certified boogie connoisseurs, the song boasts a catchy beat and vibrant vocals, creating an atmosphere of pure enjoyment.
As this anthem gains momentum, it is poised to become a surefire hit, adding another dimension to the Dance with a Purpose Academy’s already impressive repertoire.
Between D Jay’s inviting hook: “Oh, show no mercy/It’s a vibe whenever we don’t watch nobody/Feeling free, I dey on my own, no long story. Don’t watch nobody,” are nuggets of wisdom from some of the crew’s well-known stars: Champion Rolie, Endurance Grand and Melissa; all of whom knock the ball out of the park.
‘Feeli Free’ reflects the Dance with a Purpose Academy’s desire to express themselves more freely and share their joy with fans this festive season. It is a welcome addition to its growing music catalog and amazing feats over the years.
And with a group that has shared the stage with A-list celebrities like Usher and Beyoncé, the possibilities are endless. We can only speculate about the newest dance fad that this hit will inspire.
“Feeli Free,” which was produced by Lotus Beatz, can be streamed in all online music retailers worldwide.
Danita Akosua Adomaa Yeboah, widely known as Afronita, a renowned Ghanaian dance artist and memberof DWP Academy, has disclosed that there is a significant surge in individuals transitioning to Afrodance, citing its financial viability.
During a Q&A session with TV3, Afronita, responding to a question about whether being a professional dancer is financially sustainable, disclosed that dancers do earn substantial income, highlighting the lucrativeness of the profession.
“We’ve made enough money from dance. I mean, dance is very lucrative,” she said.
Afronita also predicted a bright future for dance in Ghana and Africa, given the increasing interest in Afro-dance. She noted that people who were previously in other ventures are now switching to Afro-dance.
“With the future of dance in Ghana and even in Africa, it’s very bright because now everyone is hopping on Afro. Like, every single person wants to try Afro-dance. You find people that were doing ballet now switching to Afro. People who were doing hip-hop now want to learn Afro. That’s a new thing, and it’s the future,” she said.
Afronita elaborated further, noting that she, along with numerous other African dancers, has played a crucial role in shaping the global perception of dance.
She emphasised that Ghana attracts many enthusiasts seeking to learn dance, attributing it to the vibrancy of the African dance community.
“I feel like Ghana has played, like, avery big role because people travel all the way from European countries like Asia just to come here and learn dance. It shows our influence is very wide, and we are pushing out the Ghanaian culture. It means a lot to us,” she said.
Danita Akosua Adomaah Yeboah aka Afronitaa and Endurance Dzigbordi Dedzo aka Endurance Grand, are two of the star dancers of Dance with a Purpose (DWP) Academy, who have been turning heads in the global dance space, notching up fame with jaw-dropping dance videos and bagging sweet brand endorsement deals.
They have millions of followers and fans on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, however, their fashion choices and gender expressions have also attracted a lot of attention and criticism, especially in a country where LGBT rights are not recognized or protected by law.
A recent controversy has erupted following the release of an alleged photo of Endurance in male boxer shorts with what looks like a protrusion around the genital area, which some now claim is indicative of a male reproductive organ.
This has now got many questioning if she really is female or not. To give context, Afronitaa and Endurance, and other known females in DWP Academy are often seen in baggy clothes, sneakers, or boots, male underwear, etc.
While non of the ladies in this group have not openly talked about LGBTQ+ issues, some people have questioned their gender identities and sexual orientations, and accused them of being part of the LGBTQ+ agenda.
One of such claims was presented a tweet by @WebkidAfrika who threw some accusations at the dance group. The tweet took aim at two of DWP’s star dancers, Afronitaa and Endurance, stirring the pot by questioning if they’re males or females.
“DWP is an Advocate for this LGBTQ+ Agenda. It’s kinda hard to differentiate the guys from the ladies in this DWP academy. Afronita & Endurance are they males or females think?” it read.
One bold user commenting under this post spiced things up, by claiming Afronita and Endurance are bisexual, but did not provide any evidence to support this allegation. Now, we couldn’t fact-check this tea, but it’s got everyone buzzing.
Ghana does not have specific legislation that protects the rights of LGBT individuals, and same-sex sexual activity is criminalized under Section 104 (1) (b) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960.
These questions and comments have sparked curiosity in how Afronita and Endurance may respond, and whether they will address the rumors and accusations, or ignore them and focus on their dance careers.
Some fans have fiercely defended the dancers, others lounging on the neutral sidelines, and a bunch nodding along with the accusation.
DWP Academy is an academy that offers premium tuition for dance classes and challenges on TikTok. It was founded by three individuals, Ernest Kwablah (Quables), Laud Konadu (Dancegod Lloyd), and Nicolas Botchway (Afrobeast), who are keen to change the African narrative one dance step at a time and make a lasting impact. The academy has gained international recognition and fame after featuring in Beyoncé’s “Black Is King” album and collaborating with various prominent figures in the global entertainment industry.
A dancer at the DWP Academy,Nana Obeng Owusu Junior, has tragically passed away. His mother, Mrs. Nelly Mills, confirmed his death and expressed her concerns about the circumstances leading to his demise. She believes that his life could have been saved if he had received oxygen at the hospital.
According to Mrs. Mills, on the day her son passed away, he experienced an asthma attack and was rushed to the hospital. She also mentioned that there were some unusual events that took place during his treatment.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to receive timely medical attention, particularly when suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments.
“He has been asthmatic for the past ten years,” said the mother. “On the day he died, I served him his food and was waiting to finish eating so I administer his medicines to him. He sat by the table and told me that he was starting to feel worse.
“He said the asthma attack was gradually becoming severe. I asked him to use his pump and he told me to rather take him to the hospital for a nebulizer. So, I refused. He then went to take his bath and things got worse. I then sought help and we carried him to a hospital.
“The first hospital told us they had closed so we took him to another one, Ewim Polyclinic. I told them my son needed oxygen and that he was in a critical condition but one of the nurses asked me to go and get a drug outside the hospital which costs just GHC7.00. I came back only to meet my boy vomiting.
“Within a twinkle of an eye, he stood and started acting strange. He looked aggressive and feisty. They then carried him and put him on the bed and I kept asking what they did to my son. Then they started resuscitating him a few times and finally confirmed that he was dead,” she stated in a viral video.
The mother said she suspects the hospital administered the wrong treatment to her son after she was sent to purchase the drug.
“I asked what injection was given my son when they sent me to go and buy the drugs but no one responded,” Nelly Mills said. “I don’t even know how my son even ended up in the mortuary. They only told me what they usually do is to compile all the cases of death and discuss it at the end of the month.”
“So, they didn’t tell me what killed my son. I went through this barbaric experience at the hospital, tomorrow it could be somebody else’s turn. I am urging the Ghana Health Service to look into this,” she fumed.
The late Nana Owusu Obeng was a level 200 law student at the University of Ghana in addition to being a professional dancer.
The DWP Academy has not yet made a public announcement regarding the development.
The Dance With a Purpose Academy (DWP Academy) is a popular dance school in Ghana that provides dance tutorials for people of all ages.The school is founded by Dancegod Lloyd
Mrs. Nelly Mills, mother of Nana Obeng Owusu Junior, a 19-year-old second-year law student at the University of Ghana, recounts the sudden death of her son.
This tragic incident allegedly occurred within two minutes of him receiving an unidentified injection from a male nurse… pic.twitter.com/r1kHizLk32
