Mover and Shaker: Dancehall Queen Smallie

March 30, 2011 - PRLog -- And rightly so!Known to friends and Family as Michelle Young, Smallie/Chiquita Wacky (aptly named by her dance teacher Bogles’ Prodigy, Famous Yute (Youth) for being such a fierce competitor). Smallie is making her name synonymous with powerful and energetic dancehall having won the  “Dancehall Queen of the World” title n 2008 against such opponents as Dancehall Queen Cali, who placed second, and France’s champion Queen Amzone. Also present for this historic competition were Moiika and Japanese powerhouse Nami Chrissy. Smallie made history as the first U.S. citizen to take the title in Jamaica and is sending all her competition back to school. In terms of dancehall, Smallie is expanding the art-form into a viable dance genre that can compete on a worldwide scale with any other form of dance, in terms of aesthetics and longevity. In fact Smallie has teamed up with Famous Yute and Hip Hop choreographer Neeca Wilder to create the definitive dancehall class to be launched at Cambridge Massachusetts’ historical Dance Complex in the heart of Central Square.

In a 2010 radio interview with Mic Theory and J.Lynda Blake of Hot Stepz Magazine Smallie remarked how in other countries “Dancehall champions are revered as celebrities just like Music stars,” so she is ready to bring America knowledge that the rest of the world seems to take for granted, Dancehall is HOT!
Smallie got her start in dance at the age of 12 (Smallies big sister Momo heads ”Crew International” a popular dancehall crew seen frequently on BET). “What I found was that Dancehall stepz (choreography,) while on the surface seemed simple, were deceptively very difficult. I found that I caught on quicker than others and could do the most difficult moves, but still have a sense of my own style about me. I think that is important… to bring some of yourself into the dance and make it part of you”

As Smallie speaks, Famous Yute looks on, smile beaming like a proud parent’s. “When I first saw her I did a difficult step called the Wacky Slide and asked her and some others who were present to follow the movements. Smallie was the only one who could do the step and I thought to myself hmmm? This is something… this girl is Wild with it! Like a Dancehall Chita Rivera thus Chiquita Wacky was born… this is someone different. She has talent!

Smallie even has a dance named after her the Smallie Wine! When asked how the dance came about Smallie recounts… “When I was in Jamaica, there were a few dancers who remained skeptical that an American born and raised woman could dance as well as them. So, while I was signing autographs for fans some local girls came up and asked me to prove how good I was. My friends urged me to do this little signature step I do that is a mix of Dancehall and Ballet pointe that they call Smallie’s Wine. So I did it and the locals were like, “Dis Gyal iz bad mad sick! How do you do that?” so there I am, on the street, teaching my dance to them and having a great time! I love how warmly I am received in Jamaica. They don’t care where you are from. If you have a love and respect for the culture, they greet you with open arms.”

 Contact Smallie at: Myspace.com/internationaldancehallqueen08

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