RENEE KARANJA - RENEE

IRENE KARANJA AKA RENEE

OFFICIAL NAMES: Irene Karanja

STAGE NAME: Renee

HOOD YOU REP: Buru-Buru

CREW YOU REP: Dashy Crew ALL THE WAY BABY!!!

YOUR STYLE: Krump, New style, lyrical Hiphop, Modern African

EDD AND RENEE ON THAT KRUMP VYBE. GET BUCK!!!

DANCE BACKGROUND: Been dancing all my life. In high-school,I would choreograph dance routines for the social clubs in my school. I was a captain and commander for the girl scouts and would combine the scout steps with a little bit of dance steps. That’s when I knew what I wanted to be after school. A Dancer. I became part of Dashy Krew in the year 2004 until present. I’M the assistant manager.Dance and fitness instructor ,choreographer and stylist. 

 

FASHION AND CLAD: My fashion is more Hip hop look. From Hair to shoes. Cool, sexy and comfortable for me.

HOBBIES: Dance!  This girl loves to cook and sing.

DANCE ICON: My dance Icon is and will forever be the late Michael Jackson. My love for him is Timeless.

TIMELESS IS MICHAEL JACKSON!

DEFINE DANCE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU: Dance are moves that are ryththmically to music,typically following a set of sequence of steps. A dancer should use this steps to COMMUNICATE to others (audience) what he/she wishes to say with freedom. A REAL and GREAT dancer knows that dance is more than coordinated steps.

TRAINING GROUNDS: Dashy Krew is based in Buru-BuruPhase 2 at Kagina Plaza. Dashy Krew trains from 12pm-6pm on weekdays. Dance classes for clients starts from 9am-1130am on weekdays, Saturdays 10am-3pm.

WHY RENEE AND HOW DID YOU GET THE NAME: My high-school French teacher used to like calling me by the name Renee. I loved it ever since.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE KENYAN DANCE SCENE: Many dance crews are coming up which is a great thing. A few big companies appreciate the art of dance, in other words, a dancer can live on dance in our country. Hoping that most dancers would respect their value and the hard work they put in their dance that way they won't have to exploited by some promoters/sponsors. What a shame!

An important point I would like to add, it is very important for dancers to be original and creative. To have an identity of their own. They shouldn't try hard to WANNA BE like other international crews who are busy working hard to be original thus REPRESENTING THEIR CULTURE! Digest this point.

RENEE: REPRESENT YOUR CULTURE

COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN MODERN AFRICAN: Modern African which I love to call it, are urban dance moves that my crew loves to create using any African beats of our choice, that don't follow any traditional culture or tribe but more of the mood of the music. It's more like African new style.

WHICH PARTICULAR DANCE STYLE HAS SO FAR BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF LEARNING AND EXECUTION: Hmm! That's a tricky question because I love challenging myself to any type of dance. But I must say tap dancing. Aii. It always look easy when I watch it. Looks can be deceiving I'm telling you. Maybe I need more patience to learn it. Tap to me is...crazy

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE DASHY’S DANCE STUDIO: Hehehe Dashy dance studio. Naah, just playing. We haven't thought of a name yet since its new and under renovation. Many know it as the dance experience gym. It's both a dance studio and a gym :-)

MALTA GUINESS STREET DANCE COMPETITION 1ST KENYAS STREET CHAMPS.

WHAT TYPE OF CLIENTS DO YOU HANDLE: Don't wish to mention names. Corporate companies & schools. 

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS: Still dancing with my best only crew, Dashy Krew, A certified Dance Teacher, a Gym Instructor, a Health Nutritionist and a Fitness Model.

FROM LEFT; EDD, RENEE AND BLIZZY, CLEARLY THEY WORK OUT!

BESIDES DANCE WHAT ELSE ARE YOU ENGAGED IN: When I'm not dancing, I'm teaching dance. When I'm not teaching, I'm at the gym working out. When I'm not at the gym, I'm dancing...

TELL US MORE ON “DANCING FOR GOOD COURTESY OF GOOD MAKERS FILMS”: Good Makers films (Based in L.A. U.S) is an organization that strengthens global communities by partnering with local organizations to facilitate social programs that change lives through the making of high-impact commercials and documentaries that will assist with fundraising. Good makers filmed a documentary "Oasis" featuring Dashy Krew, a film that celebrates change, hope and extraordinary children at various children homes in Nairobi slum areas. The documentary was screened on the 29th Oct 2012 during the Kenya International Film Festival.

IT‘S SAID, “TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED” WHAT ARE YOUR ROLES AS AN ASSISTANT MANAGER OF DASHYCREW: Basically almost everything. Teach dance, help in choreography, attend all  business meetings, design costumes and style make-up, record & schedule all events, videos both clientele and personal, photo shoots and handling Dashy's Internet connection.

RENEE HAS A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL AND HER FOCUS IS OVERWHELMING

 WHAT WOULD YOU ADVICE THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF DANCERS, DOS AND DON’TS: To always have a Vision and a goal. Be passionate, let it come from your heart, and your dreams will come true. Don't just do it for the fame and money or to please a friend. Search deep. If dance is truly your thing, you will fight for it till the end with no excuses or anyone to hold you down.

WHAT DANCE PROGRAMS DO YOU FOLLOW: America's Best Dance Crew, Body Rock, HipHop International and Malta Guinness Street Dance Competition. 

YOU MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT FEMALE DANCERS IN KENYA. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE BEST DANCE BRAND: To be honest, I trust and believe that God gave me a gift. That's what has inspired me to keep on going no matter what. With no excuses.
In this world, it's not just about skills. It's about passion, hard work, personality, patience, discipline and most importantly HUMILITY.
Humility plays a big part in all aspects of life. If you are not humble, you'll miss to see the great blessings surrounding you, thus finding everything to complain about and quit later on. Many great dancers I know have fallen victims to this. Humility goes a long way.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE BEST CREW AND HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BRANDING A DANCE CREW AND WHAT IT ENTAILS: Commitment, discipline, responsibility and the most importantly HUMILITY.

Before branding yourself out there you have to have an identity. Style, logo that represents you to the public:

You got to have dance videos of your rehearsals or gigs attended at-least. 

 

Pictures or posters of the crew and the members so as the public to identify with each member. 

 

Merchandise: T-shirts, caps. Music videos with Music Artist. A huge big up to Nonini Godfather of Genge for up-grading DashyKrew to where it is right now. Mad love.

 

Social networking to update our past and current events or word of inspirations.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED, THOSE YOU CONTINUING TO FACE AS A DANCER, A FEMALE DANCER IN KENYA  AND AS A CREW: Management. It's the best thing if you can manage yourself. So many advantages being your own Manager. But to find the balance between dance rehearsal hours, attending
business meetings and fitness sessions can be tricky sometimes. Yet to find a Manager who can work twice as hard as my crew.
 

TWITTER: @crazyreneerenee

FACEBOOK: Renee DashyKrew Karanja, Dashy Krew

FINAL WORD: Put God first in everything that you do. Remain humble.

RENEE HAS THE LOOK, THE WILL AND PASSION.