The Artistry Of Dance: Bringing Soca Music To Life Through Visual Content
Meet XOriginals
XOriginals is a uniquely talented group based in Trinidad and Tobago, and they are taking the Soca/Dance Music world by storm. With a core team of four (Luna, Tevin, Kacy & Xander) this group of talented dancers/choreographers has labeled themselves as Dance Artistes.
In addition to showcasing their talent on stage at the International Soca Monarch Semi-Finals this year, being featured in the music video for Nadia Batson’s hit soca So Long, Nailah Blackman x Sekon Sta x Erphaan Alves’s power soca Brave; XOriginals recently choreographed, performed in, produced, and directed Nailah Blackman’s latest release ‘BANG BANG’ (Watch below).
XOriginals is a group that formed about two years ago, a collaboration made possible by connections made in the local dance community over a shared love for dancing. In 2018, XOriginals visited Nigeria, Africa for their Nigeria Carnival Presentation and had the opportunity to perform with Korede Bello for his hit song “Do Like That”, a song in which they also have a dance video for on their YouTube channel with over 6 Million Views “#IslandHopMondays | Korede Bello — Do Like That | Choreography by Tevin Daniel”.
After debuting their Video Mixtape entitled “IslandHop” in early 2018, a rare approach to dance content, they embarked on one of their biggest projects to date, The WAY UP project.
The WAY UP project is one of a kind. During an interview with the group, I inquired on the inspiration behind the project, Xander responded:
“This song was released about a few years prior and Tevin saw it performed live in 2015. In 2016 when we started this concept, Tevin played the song for us and everybody went off! It was the time we heard such a crossover blend. I was familiar with the name JUS NOW. I felt we needed to connect and make something happen. We reached out and eventually made a connection with Kyle Phillip of Bad John Republic. The message behind the visual is basically that there are people trying to “kidnap” or hide originality, saying things should be left traditional and not innovative.”
WAY UP is a Soca Dance Music track is produced by UK/TT based super producers Jus Now (who has produced phenomenal tunes such as: Big Bad Soca, Truck on the Road & The Badang Riddim 2019) with vocals done by international recording artiste Mad Hed City.
WAY UP is a creative production that embodies the past, present and future of Soca music. The official video is directed by Romano Francis, Resolve Productions. As you watch the video, not only will you see XOriginals showcase their upbeat dance moves, but you will be taken on a journey where you are met by traditional carnival characters such as Blue Devils, Dame Lorraine, Midnight Robber, and Moko Jumbie. A smooth transition then takes the viewers to a modern party scene, where the artist performs the song and the vibe is immediately reciprocated by rhythmic dancing (Watch below).
XOriginals premiered their live performance set at “Socalize” on January 6, 2019 hosted by Bad John Republic, alongside Rico Boss & Mad Hed City as the official MCs.
Meet the members of XOriginals:
Q: How did you guys come together as a group?
Xander: Well two years ago we recruited some members from a group we had before, basically know each other from the dance community. We started to build careers and branding ourselves as artists through dance. The concept that we have is similar to Mazor Lazor and DJ Snake. We aim to go straight to the producers and put out original dance music with a Caribbean focus. We aim to make the content visual. We go to the producer provide the visual and performance.
Xander
Follow him on Instagram: @XO_XANDER
Favorite genre of dance: “Hip hop and the L.A. West coast style. I love infusing it with Caribbean music.
Favorite or “go-to” dance move: “It’s this cat-like half backflip move”
*The above mentioned dance move can be seen in the WAY UP music video @ approximately 1 min and 19 secs
Luna
Follow her on Instagram: @IXMLUNA
Favorite genre of dance: “I’d have to say Hip-hip and urban style”
Favorite or “go-to” dance move: “My “go-to” dance move is this snake wine-like movement.”
Tevin
Follow him on Instagram: @ITEVINNYSE
Favorite genre of dance: “Contemporary. I like Afro and Hip hop as well.”
Favorite or “go-to” dance move: “My “go-to dance move are Quarter Turns.”
Kacy
Follow her on Instagram: @KACYGRAY
Favorite genre of dance: “My favorite would be Hip hop and heels (heel dancing).”
Favorite or “go-to” dance move: “It would definitely be anything with gymnastics or aerobic elements.”
This crew shines with originality, creativity, a vision, and an unmatched team spirit. This group is ready to shock the world with originality, creativity, vision and an undying team spirit, this group is ready to stamp their name in the industry locally then globally — watch out for them!
To get in contact with the group, XOriginals:
Instagram: @Xoriginals
Facebook: @XODanceLabel
Contact via email: xodancelabel@gmail.com
Phone : 1 868 323 5002 | 1 868 390 XODL (9635)
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Instagram: @qneverwho
Twitter: @qneverwho
