Kris Stars: New kids on the block

Saturday, August 22, 2009 (The Mirror Pg 14)

By Rebecca Kwei
“So you think you can dance” is an American dance reality show and competition that airs on Fox in the United States of America.
But if you were to pose this question “So you think you can dance? to Kris Stars, the current Malta Guinness Street Dance champions the answer will be a resounding “Yes”!
Kris Stars comprises six young guys between the ages of 20 and 26 from Teshie, a suburb of Accra.
They are Henry Afotey Odai (Spirit) who is the leader of the group, Anselm Afotey Otu (Wonder), Enoch Oko (Young Saint), Solomon Afotey Odai (Wise King), Joseph Okai (Volume) and Manesseh Tawiah Nartey (Madmax).
According to group, four of them namely Henry, Anselm, Enoch and Solomon having been dancing together with the 2001 National Dance Champ, Paa T for the past eight years.
But when Malta Guinness introduced the Street Dance competitions, they recruited Joseph and Manesseh who were also top street dancers in their neighbourhood to join them.
“Winning the competition really makes us feel good” said Henry but for Joseph, it was more of surprise.
“We presented the best choreography, we had energy and were creative,” Anselm chipped in.
The group believes when it comes to dance moves of flipping, cramping, popping, locking and tricks, nobody can beat them.
Henry said the group took part in last year’s competition and although did not win, they did not rest on their laurels but strategised and participated again adding that “champions never quit.”
All the members of Kris Stars are Junior High School graduates but “because of financial problems, we could not further our education,” Anselm explained.
Dancing now is their career and they are loving every bit of it.
For emerging winners the group has qualified to represent Ghana at the Malta Guinness Street Dance International to be held in Nairobi, Kenya on September 12, 2009. They also received GH¢5,000 and a year supply of Malta Guinness products.
Henry said the group is preparing feverishly for the competition in Kenya and are hopeful to win the ultimate prize. They will face the very best crews from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, with teams coming from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, the Philippines, Holland, France and the USA.
Last year’s winners 2Puff who represented Ghana went on to win the international award and Kris Stars said “we are aware of the task before us and we dare not fail Ghana. With God all things are possible.”
The group appealed to the government and other stakeholders in the arts and entertainment industry to take an interest in dance because a lot of talents abound in that sector.
“It should not always be about football, there are a lot of people who can dance and if their talents can developed it will go a long way in helping the country,” Enoch said.
The group said it was grateful to Malta Guinness and appealed to all Ghanaians to support them to enable them win the ultimate prize in Kenya.
Perhaps the words of the Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), Mr Ekwunife Okoli, at the finals held on August 14, at the National Theatre “judging by the high level of energy, vitality and goodness displayed by the winners, Kris Stars have the potential to make Ghana and GGBL proud in Kenya next month by becoming the World Champions in the International Malta Guinness Street Dance competition,” will come true.