“Dancing brings beauty to music. We need sponsors.” Dance Empire.
4 min read
Nelson Onyejiaka is a 24 year old Imo State born dancer who knows how to hold his audience spell bound with his dancing and slow motion skills. In an interview with Umuaka Times last week, the dancer who is also a model and a skit maker narrated to Umuaka Times how the journey started.
Lets just hear from the dancer who goes by the stage name, Dance Empire.
How are you doing? Tell us your name and where you are from.
My name is Nelson Onyejiaka. I was born on May 24th 1995 here in Imo State. I am the boss of a dance academy known as Dance Empire.
When did u start dancing?
it is a long story. It used to be a hobby back in my school days then. But in 2019, I took it as a serious business.
Have u been doing solo dancing or with a group?
I started with group.. and later went solo.
And what happened?
I’ve danced with 2 different set of groups & non was serious. I left and became a solo-dancer & it has really favoured me more..
Waooo. That is really cool. How difficult was it in the beginning as a solo dancer?
Very very difficult…I sacrificed dating & anything to do with women…I rehearsed day and night for about a month and 1week straight up without going for any shows nor event..it wasn’t easy.
Coming to how you run your own shows, you are very good at slow motion moves. How did you develop the skills?
Well I saw it from a guy called Spencer, he used to be a dancer but now a DJ. I saw him do the slow-motion at many events then I learnt it all by myself.
How long did it take you to learn it?
it took me 6 months to perfect on it.
Tell us the places dancing has taken you to?
Dancing has really taken me places like Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Port-Harcourt, Abia and so on. I have only been to Lagos ones though.
Why have you not taken part in any music video?
I have. But they are upcoming artistes that are not well known yet.
You only want the well known ones?
No…anyone can go as long as I am being paid well.
Aside dancing, do you do any other business?
None for now. But I have plans for business.
Are there some students you teach dancing?
Yes I have my own dance academy for people who want to learn how to dance. It is called Level-Up Dance Academy.
So where do you see yourself as a dancer in the next 3 years?
I don’t think I will be a dancer in the next 3years..I see myself as a successful business mogul in the next 3years.
You mean you will quit dancing very soon?
Yes. Dancing is just a stepping stone. I’m also into skit making but I don’t really have the equipments. I don’t really have sponsors but with little time I will surely get what I want.
Are you also talented in music?
I love music. I used to sing and compose songs before in secondary school.
Which musician inspired you then?
I loved P-Square so I wanted to be like them. But now am a dancer.
You said you loved P-Square back then, did you learn any of your dancing skills from P-Square?
Yes I did. This is why till today I still include their song(Roll It) in my dance mix.
Now, what do you think that can be done to improve dancing in Nigeria?
I think we dancers need people to see the value in dancing… dancing brings beauty to music. We need sponsors. We need people to appreciate us a lot more like it is in the music industry. In that way you we see dancing will be improved & boosted to another level.
There is a good number of hotels in Owerri, do you perform in all of them?
I perform at so many hotels but not all though. At least they might be 2 or 3 hotels I have not been to.
You are really a hotel boy.(General laughter).
People love what I do, so I get called to come perform a lot in big hotels.
Talking of fans, have you noticed that your flat and six packs tummy really get girls crazy?
Yes I know. Girls love my body structure entirely…they are some shows I go to and they tell me not to pull off so I don’t cause troubles.(Prolonged general laughter).
What happens if you do?
Biko go find out from girls. Some get aroused, some go crazy.
Finally before we end the interview, tell us the name of your town, LGA and a little personal backgrounds.
