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Junko Kudō

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Junko Kudo, alias Junko, Junko Bashment or Dancehall Queen Junko, is a Japanese professional dancer, specialising in reggae dance, known internationally in reggae circles as the first foreign "Dancehall Queen".

Biography

Under the nickname of Junko Bashment, aged 24 in April 2002, she became the first non-Jamaican, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, to win the official female dance tournament for "dancehall reggae" music and took the $50,000 prize,[1] and as a consequence took the title of "Dancehall Queen", after two years of practice and a background in classical ballet.[2] With her victory, she opened the door for dancers from around the world to compete.[3] Known in the reggae world under the nickname Dancehall Queen Junko (or sometimes simply Junko after losing her title), she has since featured in videos, shows, and concerts "sound systems" in reggae music around the world, including in France.[4][5][6] She also teaches dance in Japan, and has released DVDs teaching and demonstrating as an artist and producer, and popularising Jamaican culture in Japan.[7] A television report dedicated to Junko was part of the British television programme Japanorama shown on 21 September 2006 on BBC Three.[8]

Artistic career

Dance

Dancehall Queen Junko video appearances has included videos from Elephant Man like "Pon Di River". She is also in the 2006 Dutty Wine video by Tony Matterhorn.

DVD

  • 2006/02/14 : High School Dancehall – DVD Magazine Volume 1 – Produced By Junko
  • 2006/08/10 : Dance Style Reggae 2 – Junko
  • 2008/03/25 : Dance Hall Queen Junko presents: Reggae Channel – World Dance

Notes and references

  1. ^ (in English) "If I don't dance, I dead – Japanese Dancehall Queen enjoys contest's spin-offs" Archived 12 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ (in English) "Dancehall Queen Junko Bashment wins the title" – Interview with Vice Magazine Archived 23 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ (in English) "Canadian wins Dancehall Queen competition" Archived 15 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ (in English) "Japanese Dancehall Queen enjoys contest's spin-offs" Archived 12 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ (in Japanese) Shows are regularly announced online. Official blog
  6. ^ (in French) Show listing in France in October 2008 Archived 4 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ (in English) "Junko makes Japan dance": article and interview with The Jamaica Star Archived 18 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ (in English) Japanorama episode summary- cf : Series 2, Episode 3, Zoku[permanent dead link]


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