One thing about social media is we never really know who started whatever trend, but as a rare exception, Kay can literally be referred to as the king of TikTok, at least in the Amapiano side of things. Real name Kutlwano Molefe, Kay a.k.a 'The People's Dancer', is a South African dancer and choreographer who has captured the hearts of many with his infectious energy and moves. Born and bred in Taung, South Africa, Kay is on a mission to spread the beauty of his culture to people from all walks of life. ALSO READ: Hot Seat with Christiane Boukuru Recently, Kay hopped on a tour of East Africa, which included a visit to Rwanda. During his time here, he conducted an Amapiano Dance Workshop in Kigali, on February 11, hosted by Rwanda's Saddie Vybez, a local dancer and choreographer. In an exclusive interview with The NewTimes, Kay expressed his admiration for the talent and passion he witnessed in Rwandan dancers. He praised their rhythm, energy, and self-expression, calling them for collaboration, as key to success in the dance world. ALSO READ: Saddie: The story and passion behind the 'vibes' Kay believes in building connections with like-minded individuals in different countries to fuse markets and create opportunities for African dancers to shine on the international stage. I think the level of dancing here is good, rhythm-wise, energy-wise, they have a lot of passion. However, dance is not a very easy space to exist in artistically, so one needs collaboration. You can go further together instead of being alone, he said. Kay's talent and passion for dance have already catapulted him into the limelight. He is known for his features in music videos of renowned artists such as Sho Madjozi and MFR Souls, gaining recognition and admiration for his skills. The 31-year-old was recognised with the Pride of Africa award for Best Traditional Group Ensemble in East Asia in 2022. In 2015, he was a top 10 finalist in the University of Johannesburg's 'So You Think You Can Dance' competition. Kay said that he discovered his love for art in 2008 when he was still in school. His professional dance career, however, only began to take shape later in Johannesburg, in 2011, where he experienced the vibrant and cultural dance scene. It was around that time when I had the fortune of meeting an incredibly influential person in my life, Tumelo, who used to be a dancer himself. He's one person who really ignited my fire for dancing and performing. Subsequently, a year later, I appeared on a dance TV show in South Africa. That's when I began to realise that dancing was my true calling, seeing the impact and influence it had on the people in my humble village when they saw me on TV, he recounted. Kay’s dance styles range from Sbujwa and Kwasa to Pantsula, Amapiano, and Bhenga, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various South African dance forms. Not limiting himself to South Africa, Kay has taken his talent overseas, conducting workshops in cities across China, including Zhongshan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. He has also shared his knowledge and passion for dance in countries like Russia, Japan, and Indonesia. Kay is currently based in China, where he practices his passion for a living. My move to China was initially a career jump from my former corporate job to teaching English, but it wasn't long before I branched out into teaching dance, he explained. He continued, China boasts a thriving dance market, a massive multi-million-dollar industry. So, I recognized an opportunity to share something new, authentic, and pure - an African dance style deeply rooted in my South African heritage. Teaching African dance in China posed some challenges, as most dancers there were primarily interested in urban dances, particularly hip-hop. However, I took it upon myself to introduce something fresh and uniquely African to the dance community in China. Beyond his dancing career, Kay's dreams extend to philanthropy and giving back to communities in need. He hopes to merge his passions for dance, teaching, and charity work, traveling the world, and making a positive impact wherever he goes. My adventurous and fluid nature makes it easy to seek new experiences that align with my purpose, he said. In the age of social media, Kay highlighted the challenges faced by dancers. He stated that, while platforms like TikTok and Instagram have given rise to viral dance trends, often the original creators are not known, let alone credited. Intellectual property rights in the dance space remain insignificant, as dance moves cannot be copyrighted. However, Kay believes that hard work, branding oneself, and using social media effectively can contribute to a dancer's success. Presenting high-quality content, connecting with people, and maintaining discipline are some of the keys to creating a lasting impact in the industry, he advised. As Kay's journey continues, he envisions traveling the world, teaching dance, and sharing his rich culture with every corner of the globe. His dream is to see more talented African dancers, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, reach the international stage, breaking stereotypes and showcasing their unique talents. We have so many talented and naturally gifted dancers in Africa. However, it seems that some lack the discipline and vision needed to fully explore their God-given talents, he said, emphasizing the importance of dancers in the current space taking on the responsibility of educating and inspiring younger dancers. We need to encourage them to dream bigger, to envision a future where they are a big deal. By doing so, we can build the next generation of dancers, preserving and enriching our culture, ensuring that it remains authentic and truly African, he noted. Kay's parting words of advice to creatives included the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from alcohol and drug abuse, and taking care of one's body to ensure longevity in the industry.
