A conversation with elijah smith...
Tell us a bit about yourself…
My name is Elijah Smith and I am a dancer who specialises in the street dance styles. I also am 1/2 of D’Eli which is a social media brand that focuses on mixing dance and entertainment together to raise awareness of the UK Dance Scene.
How did you get into dancing?
My friend used to invite me to dance classes every other week and I was captivated by the social aspect of dance, how you build friendships and close bonds through training together.
What have you been up to since MOVE IT 2023?
I have done a Young Artist Training Scheme with Zoonation, where I train with the cast of Message in a Bottle for a month, performed at Breakin Convention 2023 with Boy Blue, Performed with Flawless Nationally, hosted at multiple battles and dance showcases and performed in a hip hop theatre show called “Fray” as a Lead.
Tell us about your experience at MOVE IT 2023…
MOVE IT 2023 felt like a new experience because I was doing many different roles. I was performing, teaching and hosting across the weekend.
What advice would you give to people wanting to become successful in the dance industry?
If you want to be successful in the dance industry I advise you to not only work on your physical skills but also your social skills and how you interact with other people because no one wants to work with anyone who is mean or disrespectful.
What has been your favourite moment of the year so far?
My favourite moment this year would have to be when I got to the top 8 at Red Bull’s battle “Break down the House”, not just because I qualified but because I felt a shift of intention and how I want to train moving forward.
What have you got planned for the next year?
This year I am performing with Kiki at Dancers Delight in October and Performing with Flawless in Spain to open for French Montana.
This year is the celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop, what has Hip Hop done for you?
Hip Hop culture has influenced a few things in my life from the types of music I would listen to such as Wu Tang Clan or A Tribe Called Quest, the battles that I attend that I have met many close friends through and even the way that I dance. If it wasn’t for Hip Hop I probably wouldn’t have started dancing as I didn’t originally have any interest in any other style of dance.
Describe the Hip Hop industry and style in 3 words…
Motivated, Community, and Authentic.
Would you recommend MOVE IT to people wanting to have a career in dance?
Yes, 100%!!!
