Dancer Billias puts his best foot forward.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

It was a battle of the dancers at The Gleaner's Sports Club on North Street last Friday as 20 dancers competed to be in the Star's artiste of the month, Munga Honourable next music video.

At the end of the day, it was the Crazy Hype dancers who moved their way into the top spot.

With two minutes per dance and four rounds within which to compete, it was truly a battlefield on the dance floor.

The first round was done freestyle to dancehall music, after which 10 persons were eliminated. The second round featured choreographed pieces, the third round another freestyle to old school dancehall and the final round a face-off to Munga's music.

With mainly men entering the competition, the first free styling round showed a lot of talent, as they 'raged', 'took themselves away' and more. One stand-out from the outset was 17 year-old Mr Billias, who was a late comer but a crowd favourite.

Increased energy

However, Dancing Dynamite judge Orville Hall, who was a special guest judge for the event, midway in the first round paused to give his own advice. According to Hall, most of the contestants needed to have a better understanding of freestyling instead of coming with choreographed pieces. With that said, the dancers turned up the heat as they increased their energy and spontaneity.

Hall told the STAR during the break, "Billias, he's excellent, coming closer to the end it got better. When these guys dance they tell a story, where they come from and more."

In the break, the dancers kept dancing as selectors Too Sweet, DJ Kevin and Killy Killy of Area Code 876 controlled the music, playing the latest hits.

Impressed by the talent present the Area Code, selectors announced that the winner would also get the chance to appear on their show: 'Anything Goes: Up and Live on Hype TV', on Thursday night.

Going into the choreographed section was Mr Billias, Get Rich Dancers, Raging Bull, T-Bone, Flava Squad, Kimarlo Cameron, Crazy Hype Dancers, Marvin Chambers and Bomb Squad. It was the groups that really impressed in this section with acrobatic moves which were well coordinated. Bomb Squad made a big entrance and ended very smoothly as well.

Get Rich dancers and Crazy Hype Dancers really stood out as they freestyled to old dancehall. While the Get Rich Dancers did the 'running man' which had the crowd in stitches, they also pretended to take pictures of each other.

The final face-off was between the Get Rich Dancers and Crazy Hype Dancers. They battled to new hip hop then to music from Munga. Still undecided the judges requested another freestyle to Munga. As the tension rose and the Crazy Hype Dancers prayed in the corner of the room, judge Orville Hall assured all the dancers how talented they were but at the end of the day, Crazy Hype Dancers will appear in Munga's next music video.

Judge Julian Clarke from Cooyah presented the winners with a gift courtesy of the clothing company.

Star Artiste of the Month Dance Competition, held at the Gleaner Sports Club, North Street, Kingston on Friday June 22, 2007.

Julian Clarke (right) from Cooyah, presents winners Crazy Hype Dancers with gifts from the clothing line at the end of TheStar Artiste of the Month Dance Competition, held at The Gleaner Sports Club, North Street, Kingston, on Friday, June 22. - Winston Sill photos

Left: Celebrity judge Orville Hall gives advice to the dancers during a break in the competition. At left is Tami from Headline Entertainment, publicists for Munga, and a spectator at the event.

Chat with Munga Honourable today!

Munga Honourable - Contributed

Yes! Yes! Munga Honourable Fans

Log on Go-Jamaica to chat with Munga Honourable The STAR's Artiste of the Month today, at 5:00 p.m.

Website:

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Call today at 6:00 p.m. Tel: 1-888 - The STAR (1-888-843-7827).

Don't miss it!

Dancers brought their 'A' game to the competition, but the crazy hype Dancers edged them out in the end. Held at the Gleaner Sports Club, North Street, Kingston on Friday June 22, 2007.

The Crazy Hype Dancers lived up to their name and walked away with the win and the prizes.

Star Artiste of the Month Dance Competition, held at the Gleaner Sports Club, North Street, Kingston on Friday June 22, 2007.