Kasi McCoy reflects on dancehall career, touring and the drive behind her work

Dancehall dancer and choreographer Kasi McCoy, known as The Real McCoy, says her professional path began while she was still a student, when dance started earning enough to help her cover school expenses without depending on her mother.

McCoy said she had once been strong in track and field at primary school, but dance was always her main gift. At Excelsior High School, she joined dance activities and later entered Dancing Dynamites, where travelling to different parishes helped convince her that performance could become a career.

Her first music video opportunity came while she was still in high school, after entering the On The Verge competition with the dance group Insanity Girls. The group placed second, and McCoy said her first video was with dancehall artiste Ce'Cile. She later kept her own surname as part of her identity, while continuing to build her name in the dance space.

McCoy said one of her best-known creations is the dance move Tempo. She has also toured widely, naming Europe, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom, Argentina and Colombia among the places where she has taught or performed. She said her first overseas class was an emotional milestone, describing the moment as proof that she was sharing her talent with the world.

The dancer credited her late mother, who died three years ago, as her earliest and strongest supporter. She said her son is now her biggest motivation, encouraging her daily and pushing her to keep working harder.

McCoy said she has worked with or performed alongside several major Jamaican acts, including Vybz Kartel, Shenseea, Spice, Shaggy and Sean Paul. She also named Cardi B and Chris Brown as international artistes she would like to work with.

On the challenges facing dancers, McCoy said performers often have to speak up for fair pay because their contribution to videos, stage shows and performances is significant. She said if an offer does not meet her value, she is prepared to walk away and wait for the right opportunity.