Weathering opposition from parents

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Starting off with inter-estate contests, the dancers of the 1980s and 1990s have one thing in common: Their parents were against dancing.

"My dad used to beat me whenever I went to a disco. When I won the motorbike in 1988, I sold it for Sh200,000 and gave some of the money to my dad," says Cracker who grew up in Pangani Estate, Nairobi.

As a child, he would sneak to weddings and entertainment spots where he would impress adults with his moves.

Ng’ang’a, who started dancing to soul and funk music in the 1980s while in school, says break dance was his best move.

As for Kanda King, he would compete in children’s talent shows, especially at Hillock Inn on Mombasa Road, Nairobi.

"When Farida introduced me to jam sessions, we would return home at 8pm and would be beaten by our mom," he says.