The biggest urban street dance competition in the world, Red Bull Dance Your Style, has hit the road for a nationwide tour that stopped in Eldoret at Rupa’s Mall over the past weekend (13 April).
The Eldoret edition brought together the city’s dance community and lovers of dance for an unparalleled dance entertainment, networking and the highlight battle sessions with Michael ‘Mickey’ Mwenda emerging the winner and Elvis ‘Ecqo’ Clinton Otieno taking first runner-up position.
Michael Mwenda had this to say after the event, “I’m ecstatic to win the crowd’s votes! This victory marks a significant milestone for me. It’s truly beyond what I could have imagined. The level of art here is astounding and it has been a thrill seeing and being part of all the action. Red Bull Dance Your Style has provided the Eldoret dance community with a platform to connect and display our talents.”
The next stop for Red Bull Dance Your Style is United Mall Kisumu (27 April); and will make its way through various Kenyan cities and two universities qualifiers (KU and USIU) to find the best dancers. The top 2 winners from every qualifier will unite in Nairobi (13 July) at the national finals for the ultimate battle that will determine Kenya’s number one dancer and representative who will battle it out in Mumbai, India for the world finals (9 Nov).
In Red Bull Dance Your Style, there are no judges because the crowd decides who wins by voting for their favorite dancers. The dancers’ creativity, freestyle, and musical skills are put to the test in front of a live audience. After each battle, spectators hold up blue or red placards to choose a winner. All urban dance styles are welcome except for break dancing– the only rule you can’t break. The DJ plays unpredictable music, and the dancers will have to adapt, dance their style and impress the crowd. In other words, YOU decide the champion, who guarantees a place in the world final.
Red Bull Dance Your Style is a global competition with 51 counties participating. Kenya’s ultimate champ will win an all-expense paid trip to India for the World Finals this November. Calling out all enthusiasts and lovers of dance to show up for your talent or your favourite dancer so check out where the next event is happening and come through with your squad.