Lively and Funky, you cannot forget the mad antics of Ja Ja AKA ‘Superman’ on America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC).Ja Ja is much loved worldwide and we are happy to have him tell his story on our Profile series, brought to you by MindLife, healthy in Body, Healthy in Mind, Healthy in Life.
How Long Have You Been Dancing?
I’ve been dancing 29 years, and dancing professionally for 14 years.
HOW MANY DANCERS DO YOU WORK WITH?
I work with two organizations, Phunk Phenomenon which is a professional dance company with about 40 kid dancers and 30 adult dancers and Hip Hop International, as an Elite Judge judging in different countries.
HOW MANY DANCE CREWS/COMPANIES DO YOU RUN?
I do not run my own crew but I do dance with a crew, Phunk Phenomenon, and have been with them for 14 years.
ARE THERE STYLES OTHER THAN STREETDANCE THAT YOU TEACH?
I’ve helped assist teaching in breaking and salsa. I have also taught hip hop, popping, locking, and waacking. Mainly I teach house.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU PERSONALLY?
I was inspired by dance cause my mom use to put me in West Indian carnival, which was Booty shaking and twerking before it got huge. Watching my sister in talent shows and then [easyazon_link identifier=”B008ESMWVA” locale=”UK” tag=”idanceorg-21″]Breakin[/easyazon_link] 1 and 2 help pushed me more to become a dancer. Now I’m only inspired by brain green when it comes to house [dance]. I [also] get inspired when I get to sit and chat with OGs like DJ Kool Herc, Wiggles, Zulu, Buddha, Caleaf, Shallow, Megatron, Wonder Twins, Frosty (RIP), etc.
WHO, WOULD YOU SAY, ARE YOUR HEROES IN OR OUT OF DANCE?
Brian [Green] would be my hero within dance. Outside of dance would be my Godmother and my Aunt let them rest in peace.My Godmother really helped keep a good head on my shoulders push me to want to be great.My Aunt was a fighter and she taught me to have a fighting spirit. She was a warrior, living through cancer for 40 years losing both breasts, an arm, and went through 8 surgeries. She never once complained and, if you messed with her, she would throwdown with no problem. Loved them both.
WHAT SPECIAL MORNING ROUTINES DO YOU PERSONALLY FOLLOW (BREAKFAST, WORKOUT, MEDITATION, WHATEVER)?
My morning routine is usually the same. Work, occasionally play Xbox, watching a ton of shows on TV, and eating cereal all day every day at any time of day.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO THAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL?
One [important] thing that helps me be successful is being myself and always being humble.I always try to get to know everyone I’m working with and shake everyone’s hand.Whether it’s the head people or the staff I always give respect to everyone. I am always willing to help out anyone and teach dancers to not think less of themselves and that there just as good as anyone else.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
My proudest moments are dancing for the NBAs Celtics, Dancing for Phunk Phenomenon, getting silver at the USA championship in 2010 and 4th in the world championships, placing 3rd at MTVs America’s Best Dance Crew, becoming a judge for Hip Hop International and now an Elite Judge for HHI traveling the world to judge.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU EVER HAD TO OVERCOME?
Losing family and friends. Every one of them helped mold me into the man I am today.My friend Reggie was my hommie and ‘go to’ for having fun at clubs all night. He taught me how to be wild and have fun.The 3 brothers that dance with on ABDC? They lost their dad, and he was like a father to me and always made me feel like I was part of the family. He taught me how to be a good father and hopefully I’m half the man he was when my child-to-be comes next year.My Godmother was my mom and my best friend. She taught me to follow my dreams and not to let nothing hold me back.Both of my grandma’s past. One taught me love and the other taught me how to be mean and strict, lol. I lost my Aunt leaster and she’s the toughest, strongest person I know. She lived for 40 yrs with cancer, losing an arm, both breasts, and went through 8 surgeries so she taught me how to be strong.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE THEM?
A thing people don’t know about is that I love bowling and that I use to be on a bowling team. Plus I like skydive and take on food challenges. Also for a year I trained in WWE style of wrestling and had a few different matches.
WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?
I would love to collaborate with Brian Green. His level of dance is on a whole other level than any other dancer or choreographer on the planet. He definitely is in a league of his own when it comes to dance.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
In the next 5 years I would love to finally judge on the world panel forHHI. I hope to do one movie and one commercial.
Best way to contact me is cell 1-857-222-4983, Facebook: Ja Ja Phunk, and instgram: xclusivedance , or my website: xclusive.dance You can email: [contact-form to=’jaja.leviner@t-mobile.com, admin_92607@idancestudios.com’ subject=’Hey Ja Ja, I saw your interview on the idance website’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment or question’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]