Dance Dance IS Revolution
“I asked some friends why they don’t dance in public, and… I thought damn, a natural form of expression and a certain connection they have with music is now a ghost. It made me wonder how much of our human spirit got killed because of the fear of being a meme, all for having a good time.”
-Tyler, The Creator
Have you ever met someone that claims to love music but refuses to dance? I have, and I find myself questioning that claim. How can you be so enamored by everything music-related but not immerse yourself in the peanut butter to music’s jelly?
I guess it’s the environment I was raised in. Hall parties from 9pm to 4am. Nobody has stamina like my strictest aunties and uncles. In a culture where emotions can be overlooked and often frowned upon, you’d be surprised how much of that is translated through movement. When someone graduates, we dance. When someone passes away, we dance. Even when my mom comes home early from work, we dance in the backyard. Instead of sitting and talking about how we feel, we dance and dance and dance. There’s not much that can convince me this isn’t a beautiful thing.
My interest in music surpasses listening. This blog is my love letter to every facet of music consumption. I can tie every stage of my life back to a song, album, artist, or genre, even if the specific details of the moment are cloudy. I may not remember what I had for breakfast, but I do remember the song I danced to that very same morning getting ready for a day full of exams! So yeah, I do question how people move through life without music and dance. As a Nigerian, sometimes the only way for me to properly address the intensity of my emotions is through movement.
Like I said previously, I think this is a beautiful thing. Of course, there is a time and place where and when dancing is not appropriate. Talking is such a necessary, if not the most important step of processing this crazy thing we call life. With that being said, I’ve witnessed that in the last few years there is this growing disdain for dancing. As we live through late-stage capitalism and the concurrent intensification of western ideals, poise has taken on an entirely new importance that has sadly infiltrated our safe spaces. With that, the culture has suffered so much loss. Stillness now rewarded with approving stares from “worthy” counterparts. It feels like everyone is in a secret competition to see who can act like they don’t care about anything the most. It’s gotten to the point that our generation doesn’t know how to or cares enough to cater to the experience and contribute to the vibe. Westernization is at a constant war with passion and we’re all going along with it like it’s normal.
But if the coldest girl at the function (me) can tune out the looks of disapproval, ignore the illusion that is social currency and release my own inhibitions, then anyone can do it too. The world is suffering because everyone wants to be someone they aren’t. We are collectively missing a key part of connection that was engrained in me from MY childhood. Covert forms of communication can be louder and more notable than speaking and touching. I don’t love talking to people I don’t know, and yes maybe it’s time for me to grow up in that respect, but I find it so endearing to connect wordlessly. There is weight in being able to speak via your vessel.
This summer has given me enough fuel to keep dancing forever. After reconnecting with my entire family, it was refreshing to see that the culture isn’t lost on us. We dance HARD. The people I love know exactly how I get down. So this is a message to anyone who isn’t related to me: don’t invite me to the motive if we aren’t experiencing music to the fullest. If you’d like to strictly listen to music, let’s go to a concert, a jazz bar, an album listening party. I love music in all of its consumable forms but please, understand and accept that this Igbo girl will get up and dance if it feels necessary. And what you’re not going to do is blow my enjoyment by not joining me. This outstretched hand is my way of saying I love you. Now take my hand and say it back! Dancing is a form of resistance in a world that profits off of disconnect. Choose to free yourself or just stay yo ass at home. 😽
Cover Art: Let’s Dance by Cornelius Annor Jr @iam_c_annor
This may have been my longest hiatus... My laptop broke in May and I debated on dropping 1k of my hard earned pink dollars on a new one but it had to happen. Feels good to be back. This really is my little passion project. I thank 2023 me for starting this blog and I thank you for sticking around. Hope you enjoyed reading 💋 toodles!
beautifully written i love reading these!!!