‘Dancing King’ Shelly Belly wants to meet the Queen

From travelling across the US, Europe and Japan to dance, and rubbing elbows with superstars, veteran dancer Shelly Belly says there's one thing he still dreams of doing, meeting Queen Elizabeth II.

"An opportunity to meet the queen of England come een like a dream; it come een like the dream me have to go on BET fi show my talent," Shelly Belly told THE STAR.

He said that he knows it probably won't happen, but if it does he is very much prepared and knows the level of decorum that is expected. At 96 years old, Queen Elizabeth II marked her Platinum Jubilee, having sat on the British throne for 70 years, and is the longest reigning monarch in the UK history, which Shelly Belly finds intriguing.

"Because from me a likkle youth and a grow me a hear about the queen and me a see her in pictures and on TV. If me have a chance to meet her, I'm ready and I know what I'd speak to her about," he said. "It would be good if a public figure like me coulda talk to her and convince her fi make the youths travel with just a passport. A long time youths a struggle and nuff good youth out here that want to travel in search of opportunities. Suh why it suh hard fi we do that to a country that has sovereignty over ours or say she is the highest power?"

Shelly Belly, 38, has been creating a legacy in the entertainment industry for two decades, and recently got his own taste of royal treatment. He has been recognised by several entities, including UK-based promoters Yard and Abroad, who came to Jamaica to crown him the 'Dancing King'.

Featured in Vybz Kartel's music video for the single titled Stimulus, Shelly Belly was also hailed by the dancehall star as a king in the field on social media.

"From Vybz Kartel call me dancing king, me change my Instagram name to @shellybellythedancingking. In my career, I've been recognised for my work, I can't say I haven't been. But this was honestly one of the greatest achievements. I also got an award that said 'Dancehall Dancing King' from Law Vybz Thursdayz event. The crowning is what I have been working for since 1999, but it was unexpected. I'm grateful to Tugstar who coordinate it," Shelly Belly said.

Tugstar is the artiste who collaborated with Shelly Belly to do a single around his 'Knock E Ball' dance move. Shelly Bell recalled seeing himself on TV when Beenie Man's Dude premiered on BET in the early 2000s. The dancer said that he is always reminded that "talent can take you far and make people treat you like royalty."

"Inna Japan, a king dem call me ...but a good while me nuh travel. I'm looking forward to getting opportunities that allow me to travel, me a gwaan hol' it. I haven't been to Africa as yet, but it's another of my dream. I see the dreams coming through soon," Shelly Belly said.