Paul breaking barriers as breakdancing sensation
Dancer urges women to try the street dance
When one thinks of dance competitions, one might have a SA classic like Jika Majika or the most vibrant dancer who opens the circle in mind.
At the 18th Red Bull BC One, no other star shone quite like breakdancing sensation Courtnae Paul.
The 29-year-old dancer was not only crowned champion in the female section but also placed as a semifinalist in the male section in the riveting dance competition that saw SA’s finest duke it out for the title.
Growing up in Durban, Paul had never shown a love for dance as a much more active child seen on the gymnastics, soccer and kickboxing disciplines. After an incidental visit to a local church, Paul was introduced to the colourful world of breakdancing.
While b-boy culture in SA enjoyed a big cultural boom in the early ’90s, women have not enjoyed as much exposure as men. With Red Bull BC One looking to diversify its space, it became a no-brainer for Paul to make her presence felt.
“A lot of the guys who did or didn’t know me would undermine me when I stepped on the floor and I’ve felt that way my whole life being a gay female of colour you’re always on the back foot. You’re always being undermined,” says Paul.
The dancer’s love for SA hiphop culture is not limited to the dance floor.
A budding DJ, Paul has released an EP titled Got Next which has culminated in a recent feature with Manu Worldstar and Rowlene.
This all stems from Paul noticing the scarcity of female DJs in the space and deciding to become the one who can fill the gap. Her journey has also seen her at the helm of company CP Entertainment.
While Paul’s presence at this year’s Gauteng leg of the b-girl and b-boy competition is one for the history books, Paul does feel a mindset shift is needed in terms of including more women in breakdancing.
“It’s a very difficult dance – period. And it’s even more difficult to get girls into a space where there is no support and they don’t see anyone that looks like them doing the dance,” says Paul.
“We are creating more platforms so that there is a reason to keep training. I want to say, the guys also have a responsibility but I think I’m done waiting for them to do something about it.
“It’s a journey but I think we are going to be good.”
Paul also believes that a societal change is needed where women are not constantly boxed in terms of what they offer. “Women need to be whoever or whatever they want to be. The same as men, not every rapper is going to have the same style and it’s OK but for women there is a very specific image they have for you, otherwise it’s just not going to work.
“Allow everyone to express their creativity and know that they also have something to bring to the table.”
Paul is set to make breakdancing appearances in Germany at the end of the year.