User:Manzi Mbaya

Manzi Mbaya Abdoul Hakim (born July 4, 1995) his Rwandan dancer, actor and choreographer He is known for his dance videos on YouTube. His dance genres include HipHop, Poppin’, Locking, Contemporary and afro dance. He is a former member of Krest Crew (one of the best dance groups in Rwanda) but he is currently working as a freelance dancer.

EARLY LIFE

He was born and raised in Kigali, Nyamirambo. Then started dancing at the age of 14 where he made a dance video “Jerk.” This video inspired the youth very much back then. In 2011, he met Krest Crew and he started discovering another world of dancing. he saw new dance styles like Poppin’, Krump, Locking; Hip Hop in general. he worked with Krest Crew until 2013.

In 2013, he met Ishyo Art Center and there he learned the arts and skills with different artists and workshops. he worked with Walter Hull (Houston Urban Dance Company, USA) in a Contemporary Dance Workshop. Through this workshop, he was noticed by Mashirika perfoming art Group; he worked with them and that was my first time on a professional stage.

During this year, he won the Akadiho Dance Award of the Best Dance Video. he made this video with Krest Crew before he becomes a professional dancer.

In the year that followed (2014), he worked with Pervez the Legendary (LIve to break) in a Bboy workshop. Pervez the Legendary is one of the people who ARE OLD IN THE Bboy world in England.

Moreover, he won his second trophy of the Best dance video by HIGH SCHOOL IDOL which was the video cover of “All of me” and another one (3rd trophy) of Best dancer of the year 2014 by Intaganzwa Group awards.

The journey continued to the year of 2015, where Krest Crew and Manzi mbaya, entered a dance competition called “On Stage,” and this time Krest Crew was the runner up (2nd place). This was an epic moment to me. he said, “This accomplishment meant a lot to him because we had been struggling for a long time then. We weren’t the winners of the competition, but it was epic.

Furthermore, he received his 4th trophy of the Best Dance Video by High School Idol; a featuring video with Afro Casa called “Dance ni Dange.”

he started working on a professional level in 2016. I decided to not stay in my Hip Hop background in order to explore more. I said, in an extended interview, that he had always loved theater but this time I stepped up and participated in Ubumuntu Art Festival 2016, in the process piece called “Safe.” This piece was directed by Mokhallad Rasem.

Later in 2016, Manzi went to UGANDA to participate in Batalo East International Festival; he represented Rwanda in a Hip Hop piece called "Two Brothers meet with a same Passion." In this Festival, I attended Batalo East Academy 2016 “Intensive Classes.” The participants were given Master Classes in traditional and urban dance styles focusing on Pedagory of Dance, Technique, Conditioning and Choreography.

A few months later, he participated in another international festival " East African Night of Tolerance" (EANT) Professional Dance and Choreography Workshop. This workshop was prepared by Amizero Dance Kompagnie, Directed by Wesley Ruzibiza.

Right after the above workshop, he met Mani Martin, a Rwandan music artist. Since then, We've been working together. I am Mani Martin’s Dance Instructor of his entire album “Afro.” So far, one song “Afro” was made. I appointed dancers and choreographed them for this video. I and Mani Martin are still working on the rest of the album.

In the beginning of 2017, my journey just got stronger. he is one of Rwandan dancers who were selected for their skills and experience to participate in International Choreographic Training 'Hors Les Murs' for 2 weeks. This workshop was also prepared by Amizero Dance Kompagnie and Ecole Des Sable (Senegal Dance School).

In addition, he started working with Row motion Dance Company and Kigali Urban School of Dance in 2017. I work as a freelance artist for different companies by giving different dance classes.

EDUCATION

he is studied in Mount Kenya University,the faculty is Communication and Mass Media.

for watching my videos visite my youtube channel: Manzi mbaya

instagram /Manzimbaya_official facebook/manzi mbaya abdoul hakim twitter/manzimbaya_official