By Quadri Akanbi (Godsent)
A piece of good music and work is known by the depth and versatility of the driver, not scandals. And on this delectable highway, we see a notable artist in Benjamin Daniel (stage name, BenDancer). A pioneer of dance as a distinct profession in Northern Nigeria by self-definition, our guest of the week on this page, the first in a family of four, was born in Gombe on the 16th of May…
A graduate of an online dance school, So You Can Dance’, where he performed in a contemporary dance course, before working alongside A-list musical acts like D-Angels Jos, Plateau State, and Oxygen Academy in Adamawa State, in 2020.
Like many prodigies in his cadre, Daniel started developing his talent at the very tender age of 10. That was despite the lingering fact that, as a child raised in a Christian home, taught to see life “from a different perspective of spirituality”, he has grown large into finding his compass as his basis for purpose in music-making.
Looking back into time with pride, the dance do-good says, “I am from a Christian home, and that has taught me to see life from a different perspective of spirituality, and that has been the basis of my purpose, which is dance, changing the lives with my spiritual gift, to give hope,” he regales with pride.
His words, “Growing up as a child, I love music and movement. So, I discovered that I got the rhythm and skills. I started developing my talent at the younger age of 10.
However, like all the good things that are meant to happen, challenges lined up his pathway in life, but thank God, he has surmounted them. Part of the issues that constituted a challenge was Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and proper mentorship.
Looking back in this line, he tells the reporter, “It was not really easy for me as of that time, because of lack of access to the internet and mentorship, but along the line, I was able to gain exposure and experience to become better.”
He also now speaks on his transformation into a known face in the music industry, “I am a versatile dancer, meaning, I can perform or teach different types of dance – hip hop, salsa, contemporary, cultural, and also afro dance.”
Growing up
Our act vividly recalls the circumstances of his birth and growing up. He says, “I would say growing up was not easy for me, because there was no internet availability, mentorship and exposure.” But things were not rosy then because, according to him, “My parents never supported my career, and because I was from the north, my style of dance was rare, and so, no one really supported me. It was not easy for me.”
This, coupled with style, formed the basis of challenges for him. According to Daniel, “My style is so unique and special because, for me, the spiritual depth and positive energy that comes from within is what I need to pass messages and tell stories through my dance. That, I guess, makes it unique for me.
“But my parents have always wanted their children to have the best education. So, after my primary education at the St. James Catholic School, Gombe, I proceeded to my secondary school.”
Shortly after, he ‘chose’ to attend an online school, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, for a contemporary dance course.
“Then I worked with some dance companies like D ANGELZ DANCE CREW IN JOS, OXYXEN ACADEMY IN ADAMAWA STATE. I am also one of the major dance pioneers in northern Nigeria. I am the originator and founder of BENDANCER ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL, which is fully registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in the year 2020.
‘BenDancer further speaks on his life, in a chat with this writer: “I started a dance ministry in the city of Gombe, 25 of October 2015, called Creative Minds Dance Ministry
“Then, I was the North-East zonal dance coordinator for the Dance Guild of Nigeria.
“Currently, I am a member of the National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP). Also, I am an executive member of the Dance Guild of Nigeria.
“I was the first male dance artist in the history of the Kuti’s.”
He foresees a better future for the Nigerian dance and music industry.
