Fabian O'Hara, Star Writer

At age 21, he is a dancer, choreographer and a singer. Who is he? Chad Torrington.

The dancer made a name for himself, clashing with other top dancers in the streets of Half-Way Tree, where as he puts it, "Only the fittest of the fittest survives."

After bursting on to the scene with the dance Sponge Bob, he says: "The name just got stuck on me, but that was then. I have grown since then, sort of evolved, take on a more international appeal, gone global. I kept the Bob, I just added Global," Torrington told THE STAR.

Since then, the multitalented dancer has been featured in several videos, which include Ce'Cile's Hot Like We, M.I.A's How Many and Brick n Lace's Bad To The Bone.

sponsored tour

So noticeable was the dancer's unique style, a group from France sponsored a tour of Jamaica, this after he was observed in several music videos.

"I got a call one day from overseas, a link was made and they sponsored a tour, which turned out to be a documentary, which features various locations in Jamaica, which we consider the dancehall hot spots," Torrington said.

Now a third-year student at the University of Technology, majoring in marketing and banking and finance as a minor, he revealed how he managed to balance both school and dancing at the same time.

"Mi nah go lie to yuh, it really hard, but because mi have the right set a people dem around me, it is made somewhat easier. The tutors as well as fellow students ensure that I am kept up to date with notes and assignments that are due. That's why it's good to live good with people and not feel as if you can do everything on your own," he pointed out.

When not dancing or in school, what is the dancer up to?

"When I am away from the hype, I'm just chilling with my girl and promoting myself with the use of Facebook, YouTube and MySpace, this is made much easier," he said.

The Wolmer's Boys' graduate, after acquiring Nathan Cowan (son of Carlene Davis and Tommy Cowan) as his manager, is now in the process of finalising plans for a tour of the US and France.

He is thankful for all those who have helped him to overcome the obstacles he has faced to get where is now, especially his mom.

"My mother, Joy Swaby, has been my main source of inspiration," he said.

The dancer can be seen in action at his hang-out spots Blitz Tuesdays, Quad and Fiction Nightclub.