Legendary Ghanaian Choreographer, Paa Tee has warned trending Ghanaian choreographers against sharing more than necessary videos of their craft on social media.
The revered dancer was in an interview with experienced broadcaster Abeiku Aggrey Santana on Okay FM on Monday, April 15, 2024 to discuss the evolution of Dance from the traditional cultural setting to the contemporary dance art in Ghana. He also revealed some of his adventures in the European continent and his views on the state of the Ghana Dance Industry.
When asked about how he is mentoring the new dance champions and dance academy, Paa Tee showered praises on them for the great works they keep churning out out. He also had some words of caution to them. “I will like to advice them a little bit, because, sometimes, when it is too much, it doesn’t look attractive anymore”.
The 2001 Ghana national dance champion, who is now based in Europe is of the opinion that the current Ghanaian top choreographers are posting too much of their craft on social media. The expected reaple effect is that the dance moves exhibited in the shared videos can be learned by the European choreographers, which will translate to reduction in business opportunities for them in the diaspora.
The host also voiced out his disagreement to the opinion of the dance champion. He added that someone can try to learn through your dance videos, but, can only get the moves right if you don’t personally educate them.
Paa Tee, who is set to teach in Copenhagen in the next couple of months, recounted one incident where himself and a female European choreographer, who had some collaborative dance videos with Ghanaian choreographer, Incredible Zigi, had been billed to teach at a particular event. He mysteriously lost the opportunity and was informed that the lady was going to teach Azonto dance at the event.
Most Ghanaian choreographer advertise and do businesses on social media nowadays. They use their craft and brand to promote songs. The recent product that was promoted in the Ghanaian dance space is ‘Saara’ by Afrobeats artiste, OV. This has grown to be a lucrative business for choreographers as the results are visible.
Also, one thing that Paa Tee may have forgotten to acknowledge is the fact that the world is becoming more and more of a global village. Most of the choreographers have their social media pages monetized. This implies that they earn from the number of views on each video the put out there on each social media platform. These dancers use that same medium to promote their new creations and keep relevance.
Paa Tee was one of the hottest choreographers in Ghana some decades ago. He played roles in the advertisement of various brands during the hey days of his career. He is known for his dance moves in the commercial adverts of Cargo Gin Bitters and that of Cororange Plus Syrup. The likes of Adjetey Sowah, Gabby Adjetey, Akosua Agyeapong, Carlos Alberto Alex Ofori and Reggie Rockstone were also holding the game down with their emense talent.
Ghanaian choreographers will have to find middle grounds for this situation. They will have to work on their unique nature and position thier brands to attract more business opportunities from every corner of the globe.
By: Brah Alidu
