READ ABOUT DANCERS, MAD POP.
I get inspired while watching dancers sharing their passion.
READ ABOUT DANCERS, a Blog series that aims to promote the beautiful and unique side of each dancer.
Part 1: Tunisian dancers.
Dancer 2: Mad Pop.
This was 2 months ago. An intro full of positive vibes. Unfortunately, after interviewing some Tunisian dancers, I think that this blog series should be entitled “Read about Tunisian dancers who’re about to give up on their dance careers”…!
YES. This is real! Many talented dancers are thinking about quitting their professional dance career dreams looking for a more financially sustainable future.
This blog will be about one of those most talented dancers in Tunisia, Mad Pop. I’m going to share with you his first steps into the dance world, the kind of lessons you get to learn from him, his major achievements as a dancer then a mix of his dreams and the challenges he’s facing.
FOLLOW ME. Let’s meet Mad Pop, THE MUSICALITY GURU!
Musicality: Sensitivity for music
“I love translating beats into dance moves; I don’t even need music, get me a crowded downtown street and let it be my stage”!
Mad Pop, the 26 year-old dancer, shared with me this epic feeling about his passion: DANCE.
And if we dig deeper into the meaning of his words, we can tell that this guy is a musicality genius.
Different ways to be smart exist, one of them is the musical intelligence, talented dancers are highly sensitive to music and this is what makes them smart not their mathematics grades.
1) What are Mad Pop’s first steps into the dance world?
Ask Mad Pop: How did it all start?
Mad Pop: There are 2 stories behind my passion; first one in Gabes and a second one at home in Tunis.
My first time dancing was in Gabes, I just heard some traditional wedding music, let go of my mom’s hand and joined the wedding house. I can tell that I stole the show during that day as I remember being surrounded by many people who have even started giving me money; then comes my second story, when I’ve seen a first live wave and moon walk from my brother who was dancing on Michael Jackson’s song, and this is how I fell for dance.
My favorite dancers back to that time were Michael Jackson and Usher.
2) What kind of lessons can we learn from Mad Pop?
*Based on a personal experience.
One day, one event, 3 lessons learned during Mad Pop Popping dance workshop.
I’m an introverted dancer which means that my room is my stage and it was my first Popping workshop during Art Solution Dance Studio opening. So I was so excited, happy but failed at hitting the right beats.
I remember Mad Pop kindly asking me: “Your moves should be following the beats, focus and listen carefully to the music” then he started helping me figure out the rythme using his hands “Boom, Boom, Ta”!
I swear that “Boom, Boom, Ta” constructive feedback which was given in a humble way, has changed my whole perception of dance as I became not only a feeler but a better listener to the music beats.
3) Mad Pop: Challenges, dreams and achievements:
“ I want to be a a legendary artist, I want to inspire the next generation of Tunisian dancers.”
Mad Pop eyes were sparkling while sharing his dreams, he was determined still had some fears as he’s facing many challenges. In fact, a Hip Hop dance career is not financially sustainable in Tunisia, there aren’t enough spaces to train for professional dancers, not enough international exchange opportunities, dancers also feel undervalued during some TV shows in addition to a Tunisian society that doesn’t seem to appreciate and encourage dancers.
Despite all these challenges, Mad Pop has been able to successfully share his passion for the past year as a dance teacher in Art Solution Dance Studio, he was also part of the first Tunisian Hip Hop Dance theater show “LAMHA” as well as his great appearance in Zomra’s recent music video “ Through a window”, a 100% Arabic rap song: Enjoy watching and listening, link below.
Mad Pop, as one of your students, I want to tell you that you’re already inspiring the next generation of Tunisian dancers! Keep it up man!
