Salim Gori aka Dance General is a celebrated professional dancer. He also works as a dance coach to the likes of Joho and other celebrities such as Wahu and Nameless.
We had a chat with him about his journey and taking part in the Guinness Black Shines Brightest series stories and this is what he had to say.
Tell us about yourself
I am a professional dancer, choreographer, and content creator, I am also a graduate of Architecture in interior design. Other than that, I would define myself as an ambitious child from Mukuru who decided not to let his past determine his future.
When did you start dancing as a career
This was back in 2016 when I participated in the Sakata competition and ended up becoming a finalist with my fellow crew members, that is when I decided to become a professional dancer.
What inspired you to start?
Growing up and looking at other people I knew having a diploma was not necessarily synonymous with getting employed. Also, I always wanted a job that I would be passionate about. Dance became my passion, so it was rather obvious for me to become a professional dancer and choreographer as I love sharing my skills and interacting with others.
Dancing as a career is something new, what did your parents think about it?
They were not keen on me pursuing dance as a career as my parents used to believe in degrees and diploma and less in art and talent. When I stared practicing with my friends, mom used to come and force me to go home. But I was sure that I would make it in life through dance that’s why I continued practicing. My parents changed their minds when they saw me live on TV during the final of Sakata and also when I got my first income through dance. That is when they finally started believing that I could make a living out of my art.
What challenges have you faced in your journey?
The biggest challenge that I have been facing (and I am sure other dancers can relate to) is the lack of recognition for dancers. In other countries dancers are more appreciated by their entertainment industry and as such they get bigger and better opportunities and as such are able to get a better standard of living than we do in Kenya. However, I must say that things have improved but we still need to do more.
You recently starred in the Guinness Black Shines Brightest stories, tell us more about why you got involved
I got involved because I loved the idea of putting light on my personal story. This is because many people just see the nice side of being a content creator and a renowned dancer but only a few know the hard work it took to reach there. This serves two purposes: to inspire others and also to make people realize that it didn’t happen overnight but rather was as a result of hard work.
The experience has been very rewarding and enjoyable so far. Enjoyable because I have been working with a team of very professional people – we see the investment and respect they have for us as content creators. I feel my value is being acknowledged. Rewarding because through Guinness I could share my story widely, I have been meeting other influencers whom I may have not met in other circumstances and from whom I can learn. Lastly, through the masterclasses that Guinness is organizing throughout Kenya, I can transmit my passion to many people.
To me, Black Shines Brightest means two things:
- Using creativity for positivity meaning that someone uses his/ her art to have a positive impact on other individuals, communities, countries, etc. In my case, I used my art to get my family out of poverty. Other than that, I also use dance to raise the awareness of young people about human trafficking. I also mentor youth to get recognized in the industry and generate income through their art.
- It also means to me that from the darkest beginning comes the brightest reward. By this, I mean that the harder it was for you to get to your goal the more rewarding it is when you finally get it. In my case, having come from a humble background, it has not been a smooth journey to get to where I am now but being self-driven and focused on your end goal allows you to not go in the wrong direction. Also, I am grateful for where I come from because that’s where I got my determination, if I was born into a wealthy family, I am not sure I would have achieved what I have so far.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I am planning to expand the “Dance General” brand both within and outside Kenya. I am also planning to open my dance academy so that I can teach young people how to make a living through dancing.
It’s also my intention, with other dancers, to consolidate and structure the dance industry in Kenya so that we can be able to negotiate better rates for ourselves.
What can you tell young people who would like to become professional dancers?
I would advise young people to follow their instinct and if they feel that they can make a living from their talent, they should go for it. However, they should not forget that nothing in this life comes easy, as such they need to work hard toward their goal.
They also need to define their goals and then break it down into smaller steps that can take them there. Also, that networking and self-discipline are key to success. One needs to be self-disciplined because unlike a normal 9-5 job you don’t have a boss who is watching over you and holding you accountable. You are your own boss and the actions you will take are totally upon you. Networking because it’s through contact and connection that you will get exposure and opportunities. So, to all the youth, go out there, be confident, and have trust in yourself and your talent. Don’t be afraid and go knock on all the doors, eventually, one will open.