Beats, biokinetics and boerewors helped Jade Adams, 21, get to Phoenix, Arizona, in America.
The energetic dancer has qualified to represent South Africa at the 19th World Hip Hop Dance championships, which runs until next Monday.
After achieving top honours at the national hip-hop championships held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in December, Jade, along with her XO Empire crew, will now battle against more than 4000 dancers representing 50 countries.
“I feel honoured and excited to represent my country on an international level with my team,” says Jade.
“This competition gives us South Africans the opportunity to bring something new to the stage. This will be my first time abroad, and I’m so excited.”
Jade, a second year BSc Sport Science student at the University of the Western Cape, loved jamming to the Krump beats since the age of 13, but has since been drawn to Afro House.
“I’ve always danced solo, but I really wanted to be part of a crew. I stumbled across the XO Empire dance school on Facebook in 2017 and I’ve been with them ever since.”
The multi-talented dancer has been blowing up stages wherever she puts her feet since 2013.
After participating in that year’s Cape Town Carnival, she earned her Western Province colours via the Fitness Sport Aerobics Federation in 2018.
“And then of course we took part in Hip-Hop International 2018 in December for the South African qualifier in which my adult crew placed first.
“Now we are on our way to Phoenix, Arizona, to represent South Africa in the hip-hop world championship,” she said ahead of the trip.
“Dancing has always been my dream, but because of my full-time studies, I only get to do it in my free time.
“The goal now is to become a biokineticist. So when I do my Honours I’ll be specialising in biokinetics,” says Jade.
Jade’s quest for more honours in America could turn into something special, and who knows, she might just be the next big thing.
However, it has been a tough road getting to the Cape Town International Airport runway. Due to financial constraints and the intimidating US dollar/rand exchange rate, this trip does not come cheap.
Her mother, Imelda – a single parent – has had to host karaoke evenings and boerewors fundraisers to help get her daughter to the competition in Arizona.
