Dansa salutes Bogle’s memory through Black Roses Entertainment
“E verybody can dance but ah nuh everybody ah dancer” and “fashion over style”. These are two of the iconic quotes from dancehall dancer and recording artiste, Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy.
Given that it is both Black History and Reggae Month, it is most fitting that Dansa would honour the godfather of dancehall, carrying on his legacy by spearheading Black Roses Entertainment.
“I just wanted to let the people know that Black Roses Crew, Black Roses Entertainment, we’re still out there and we’re still doing our thing,” he told THE
WEEKEND STAR.
Born Jose Avila, Dansa first came to Jamaica from Honduras when he was 11 years old. He met Bogle back in 2002 in New York City and confessed to the moves master and choreographer that he was his favourite dancer. From there, the pioneer took him under his wing, taking him to a couple of shows and introducing him to the spotlight.
Dansa recalled the last showdown between Bogle and John Hype, where he bravely stepped out wearing an Elmo blazer during the dance clash and performed the dance Sesame Street.
After seeing him challenge the competitor in the ring, Father Bogle was pleased. “Bogle told me to get my passport ready; we’re about to go on tour,” which spoke to the dance’s increasing popularity, both locally and internationally. Those were the last words Dansa would hear from ‘Mr Wacky’ before his untimely passing. Bogle was shot and killed on January 20, 2005.
Since then, the Wacky family members have gone on to pursue individual goals. Dansa joined a different movement in entertainment, keeping Bogle and his Black Roses Crew legacy alive by hosting stage shows across the United States of America. Over the years, the dancer and entrepreneur focused on dancing and ‘flossing’ parties, but he decided to shift in a new direction by bringing a piece of Jamaica to dancehall fans and islanders within the diaspora.
“We have been bringing shows state to state. I flew up Spice and Dexta Daps the other day, and we had to turn people back; it was a sold-out event. We are currently in the process of keeping a big show in Houston, Texas, for Memorial Weekend in May of this year. I’m looking to stage the event outdoors,” he said.
The Spanish native hasn’t been to his home country in over 20 years, but he visits Jamaica as often as he can because he loves the country, its people and its culture. He misses the entertainment.
“Dance is not the same since Passa Passa gone and Jiggy Friday gone. People used to eat ah food offa those events. The whole dancing thing mash up. Before all these dancers, it was Black Roses Crew. We opened up the door for a lot of dancers. A lot of people forgot about Boysie, that’s why I told him that we should do different things,” he shared.