AfroConex
Dec 5, 20229 min
During the last 2 years of the pandemic (2020 - 2022) we observed a few shifts in the Afro dance world: 1) Nigerian Afro music slowed down considerably 2) South African Amapiano took root as an Afro sound 3) the introduction of IG Reels changed how dance is presented on IG and 4) the rise of Tiktok as the premier dance platform.
In 2020 when much of Europe and the United Stated was shut down and glued to the internet, South African dance permeated our screens. It was in this moment of stillness that Amapiano took over. It was a new sound different from the beats we were use to from Nigeria, Ghana, Congo and Angola. It was the share newness of the sound, and the dances that accompanied the sound that caught our attention. It was Kamo Mphela and her crew of dancers lighting up our screens with mesmerizing routings of drops, kicks, hips and footwork all mixed together. It was in those Kamo videos we first discover Tlhogi and her sauce.
From 2020 to today, we have seen the rapid popularization and evolution of Amapiano dance. During that time, we have also seen the rise of Tlhogi. Her perfectly crafted choreographies helped to propelled Amapiano dance. Suddenly, the footwork craze in Afro dance had a new source for footwork inspiration: South Africa.
We caught up with Tlhogi to talk her about her success and the rise of the Amapiano as a culture beloved across Africa and the world.
AFROCONEX: Tlhogi, thank you for collaborating with AfroConex. You recently achieved 100K followers on IG; congratulations on that! Can you Introduce yourself to the audience?
TLHOGI: My name is Letlhogonolo Molefi (Tthlogi for short) I am 22 years. I was born and bred in Meadowlands, Soweto, South Africa. I am a street dance choreographer and dancer. I specialize in Amapiano dance inspired by isPantsula, Gqom, Kwassa Kwassa and Sbhujwa. (All South African dance styles)
AFROCONEX: When did you start dancing and what do you love about dance ?
TLHOGI: I started dancing around the age of 8 or 9. I joined a dance group in primary school and ever since then I never stopped dancing. At the age of 10, I remember I use to create choreography and teach it to my friends. We would then perform the choreography at end of year school functions. So, I always loved dancing. But what I love most about dancing is that it allows me to be a different version of myself. A version that is more confident and is without self doubt. A version that is not scared to do anything and is happy. When I am on stage I feel alive.
AFROCONEX: We came to know you from your choreographies with Kamo Mphela. What was it like working for Kamo ?
TLHOGI: You know, shout out to Kamo. She gave me an opportunity to show the world my talent by putting my work out there through her music and through her career; it was great. I had to always be on my toes when I was with her. When she created a new song, I knew that I immediately needed to create something new. We always needed to have choreography ready, because we never knew when we were going to perform. So, we had to be prepared. So yeah, it was really great working with her.
AFROCONEX: From the outside looking in, Kamo was one of the biggest faces of Amapiano dance. Her videos went viral and helped to solidify the appeal of Amapiano dance. Have you seen an evolution in the dance from the Kamo era to today?
TLHOGI: Yes, very much so. During the Kamo era, she, Kabelo and I really paved the way for dancers; especially on social media. When we started we didn’t see much of South African dance on social media. We changed that. It was amazing to see people doing our dances and doing our challenges. People would send us positive messages on DM, which also helped to motivate us. Today, there are many South African dancers creating and doing their own thing. Across the internet we see everyone adding their own sauce and personality to the dance. There have been so many things that have come since the Kamo era, and it’s beautiful to see.
AFROCONEX: How would you describe Amapiano dance today and what does it take to be a good amapiano dancer ?
TLHOGI: When the culture started, it was about the vibe and the groove. Groove means going out with friends to have drinks and experience the music. In South Africa, you know the music is always an experience. So we would just vibe to the music, while grooving. That’s how the culture started. When the dance became part of the culture, it took the groove scene to another level.
Regarding being a good dancer; I think like in any other dance genre, a good Amapiano dancer has to understand the technique. It takes practice for you to actually understand the movement and for you to move with intention and anticipation.
AFROCONEX: So much of the Amapiano dance we see on social is synchronized choreographies, how is the dance done in freestyle ?
TLHOGI: Well, each dancer knows their strengths. For me, my strength is choreographies. In Amapiano dance, there are people who are freestylers that can just dance and do move after move without repetition. They just flow so effortlessly. For me personally, I find that difficult, because I tend to think a lot. I have all these moves in my head, choreographies I’ve created and I want to do them all. I want to mix them, so freestyle becomes a challenge for me. But there are people that freestyle their way through everything; it’s easy for them. But you know what? it’s actually very hard for people like that to learn choreo. I find that quite crazy. Actually, Kananelo and I often see dancers on social doing crazy freestyles and we reach out to them for collaborations. When we actually meet up and try to teach the choreography, we often see them having a difficult time learning the choreo. But when it’s just them being themselves freestyling, it’s so much easier for them to dance.
AFROCONEX: Amapiano outside of South Africa is being identified as a distinct dance style. What is the reality, are we correct in labeling Amapiano as its own dance style ? Or is it a fusion of various South African dance styles ?
TLHOGI: Yes, Amapiano was created here in South Africa and it gave us a sense of belonging in this world of Afro dance. You know, there is Afrobeats dance and many people across Africa are able to claim that as their own. We didn’t have something like that in South Africa until Amapiano. It gave us a sense of belonging, and ownership, because no one else can claim Amapiano. It is South African. Even when you hear other people do Amapiano music, it doesn’t have the same sauce as the sound of Amapiano from South Africa. In terms of the dance, Amapiano is its own genre, yes, and It is evolving. What you see now in Amapiano is the fusion of some African moves from outside of South Africa into the dance. Just like you see South African moves fused into other African dances. Also, what we have done with Amapiano dance is we have taken South African dance moves from way way way back in the day, old moves, and we have given them new life in Amapiano dance.
AFROCONEX: You are a dance innovator; someone who creates their own steps within the genre. How often do you create new moves and what is the creative process like for you ?
TLHOGI: The truth is I’m forced to always create. Firstly because I need to be consistent and present on social media. But I’m an individual who can create right on the spot. My creative juices are very fast and they happen immediately. It’s not a difficult process for me. I am always creating. Every week, I create a new piece.
AFROCONEX: How do you find motivation and what inspires you to create ?
TLHOGI: I won’t lie, we need to stay consistent on social media so that people don’t forget about us. I’m Joking! But honestly, social media is an inspiration. I need to constantly be creating, because there is always someone waiting to take your spot. So I can’t be slacking or not working hard. Consistency is the key, so people can remember and not forget who you are. There are so many dancers now and there is always someone trending, so I can’t slack. For me, personally, because there is a certain standard I have set in the dance culture, it is always great to come with something new. There are always new and fresh moves coming out and giving people something that inspires them, something they can use and create and have fun with is always great.
AFROCONEX: Let’s talk Jiva. You are one of the choreographers for the show, what was that experience like ?
TLHOGI: It was amazing. Jiva gave me an opportunity like no other. Netflix is an international platform and Jiva helped to show the world a bit of South African culture. For my name to be written as choreographer on the show, really helped to elevate me to another level. I really loved the experience and one day I can say to my children, I was part of Jiva, a show on Netflix.
AFROCONEX: Jiva is the first show (that we are aware of ) that captures the urban dance movement happening in Africa. It was entertaining and inspirational. As a South African dancer, what does the show represent for you, and how accurately does it capture the dance scene in South Africa ?
TLHOGI: Honestly, I feel like more could have been captured in Jiva. I don’t think as a person watching the show, they truly see the culture of South Africa, and see how the dance culture is. I think it could have been more focused on the dance culture, vs the issues we are facing in South Africa. But I understand in television you have to tell the bigger story, and that they had to outline some of the important things that are happening in the country. But I really don’t think people saw how the dance culture of South Africa truly is from the show.
AFROCONEX: The popularity of Amapiano music and dance has skyrocketed. Has its popularity around the world benefitted you as a dancer in South Africa ?
TLHOGI: Definitely yes, yes, yes. I have been part of Amapiano dance culture from the beginning, and I’m still part of the culture, and will always be part of the culture. I have been trusted with a leadership role in the culture and it has gotten me recognition. If it wasn’t for Amapiano, I don’t think people would known who I am. Even though I am a dancer in other styles, it was Amapiano that got me recognition. Amapiano gave me everything I have today and it has given me a whole new perspective on life.
AFROCONEX: Dance especially urban dances seem to be very much part of South African culture, which helps to amplify the dance culture inside and outside the country. What is the perception of dancers in the country ? Are dancers respected as professionals/artists?
TLHOGI: This is a difficult question because it is a fight we are currently still having. The honest answer is, not yet. We haven’t gotten to a point where dancers are fully respected and taken seriously as artists. Today, we still struggle and have to justify our worth. We have to work so hard as dancers to put our names out there, and yet this hard work sometimes goes unrecognized. Even when we are the reason why many songs are booming. But this will change. Hopefully one day I will be able to fight for our rights and be an advocate for dancers to be taken more seriously.
AFROCONEX: You often dance with your partner Kananelo, outwardly expressing your relationship. Why was it important for you to be out ?
TLHOGI: I don’t think it is important for me to be out. But for my own personal reasons I want to be myself and showing my relationship is being myself. I also want to show someone out there, that it is ok to express who you are, and owning your sexuality. It’s not really important to come out, but it’s important to be satisfied with who you are.
AFROCONEX: Tell us about how you select the songs you dance to?
TLHOGI: Honestly, I don’t dance to popular music. Most people dance to popular songs, but I choose not to. There is so much music out there and I always want to dance to something new. I want people to hear beats that they’ve never heard. When we (Kananelo and I) create, we always listen to the beat and listen to the lyrics and try to incorporate all of that into whatever it is that we are creating.
AFROCONEX: We are aware of many of the big dancers from South Africa, but who are some of the up and coming dance or music artists you would recommend to check out?
TLHOGI: Definitely check out:
— Sihle Nkosi @Chley_nkosi She is an up and coming artist who is part of Musa Keys crew
— @Pablorsa_ he’s a dancer and producer
— @olley_rsa he’s also a dancer, producer and vocalist
— @sphockyrsa is an upcoming dancer
— @kortes_black.sa another dancer to check out
— @bhathistar_black.sa is a dancer
AFROCONEX: If we ever make it to Joburg, where can one go to experience and see the dance culture first hand ?
TLHOGI: That is a tricky one. There is no specific place. But when you go out at night you will experience another level of fun. You will hear different sounds that you have never heard before. You will have a crazy experience.
Profiles to check out:
Tlhogi is a movement creator and innovator. Check out 3 of her current dance creations