By Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer
Babsy To Di World!: Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (second left) goes through the motions of the To Di World dance along with host of Dancin' Dynamites Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small (in red) and winners of the competition, Hypa Active Clique, at the finals, held at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Sunday.
The 2008 Dancin' Dynamites winners, Hypa Active Clique, said that their hard work had finally paid off.
"We are feeling really wonderful. Hard work and dedication has put us this far. We have to thank our fans, all of our supporters that have voted for us. They have made this possible; we thank them, we thank God and everybody," Dwight Coates, a member of Hypa Active Clique, told THE STAR after the final results show at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on Sunday night.
The shorter of the two dancers, Rohan Youngsam, also sent 'big ups' to the group's supporters.
"Big up the whole a de May Pen people dem, because a unu support wi de most, and de whole a Jamaica; Butler yu dun know," expressed Youngsam.
They both added that their dance is 'unique' and that is why they won over so many people in Jamaica.
The winners received a cash prize of $400,000, a full scholarship at Edna Manley College of the Performing Arts, four airline tickets from American Airlines, among other prizes.
Venom Squad, the male-female duo, placed second and collected $250,000. HJ Squad, the comedic duo, took third place and pocketed $150,000, while fourth-place duo Mad Links walked home with $50,000.
Host Jenny Jenny brought some of the best dance choreographers in Jamaica to the stage.
The likes of Shelly Belly, with chains spinning around his neck, and the crazy female Mad Michelle had the audience on their heels. Ice, the real 'Gully Creeper', showed the audience how to dance on their toes, while Collo Collo, Mr Rum Ram and Bita raised the energy bar higher.
Excitement
Host Jenny Jenny and Ice get down on the dancefloor.
More excitement was in store as D'Angel and Beenie Man made guest appearances onstage, one after the other.
D'Angel blasted a few tracks, including Blaze, while announcing her signature phrase, 'and so' to the audience.
'The Doctor' Beenie Man, had the live studio audience out of their seats to greet his performance as he deejayed, 'pickney nah hol' yu down' and 'Jiggle up yu body'.
Beenie also dedicated a song to his baby's mother and especially to his mother, singing his version of No One, before asking the ladies to 'back it up'. This excited the audience who responded with loud rounds of applause.
At the end of the show, the family, fans and sponsors of the dancers and the show posed for photos as they
celebrated.
D'Angel makes a guest appearance.
Host Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small addresses the live audience at the finals of the Dancin' Dynamites. - Nathaniel Stewart photos