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Nashville just got a little cooler. OZ Arts is bringing Olivier award-winning hip-hop choreographer, Botis Seva to Nashville for his anticipated BLKDOG performance happening October 17-19. Our Editor, Ashley Currie had a chance to chat with Botis leading up to his first visit to Nashville. He shared his why, how he remains innovative and of course, the first time he fell in love with hip hop (cue Brown Sugar🎶).
Inside the interview:
When did you first fall in love with Hip Hop?
I would watch stuff on TV and that’s how I began to find out more about music in general and hip hop. I used to listen to a lot of grime music, which is a different kind of hip-hop genre that we have in the UK. I also had a lot of influences from American musicians, including fashion, style, and dialect. Then, I got into dancing for a hip-hop theater company. I think the first person I kind of found out about was J Dilla and realized what real hip hop was about. For me, it has always been just something about hip-hop and the rawness of truth, especially listening to artists who were using poetic albums to speak about their life stories. I think that was the biggest attraction for me. Hearing truth over music.
Was pursuing performance and dance always your dream?
I wanted to be a musician. I used to write songs and make music as well when I was younger. Um, my passion was music. I kind of fell into dance randomly through school. Every year we would have talent shows and because there was music involved, I was like, let me just try. Jumping into my first dance class in school, I didn’t know where it was gonna take me but I loved it because of the music. Ever since that time, it has just stuck with me.
Share a little about what people can expect when they take their seats for BLKDOG?
I do not want to give too much away but this piece comes from a personal place and people who watch will connect on a personal level. It’s quite fast-paced and has lot of symbolism that will allow people to hopefully apply it to their lives as it tackles people struggling as just human beings. We’re all going through something personally so it’s more about what you take from it, even if it’s just a little bit that can kind of help you. There are enjoyable moments, but it can be quite dark at times, so take it lightly.
Check out the full interview and make sure to grab tickets to see BLKDOG October 17-19, 2024.
Photographer/Videographer: Botis Seva
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