Meet Afrobeats dancer AfroKing__D A.K.A Daniel Odion. Dan is a fast-rising Afrobeats dancer in Manchester whose journey has been shaped by passion, discipline, and genuine love for movement. Born with a natural rhythm and raised across different cultures, Dan grew up inspired by iconic performers such as Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. His style blends Afrobeats, hip-hop textures, expression, and storytelling, making him one of Manchester’s most unique dance voices.
Before becoming an Afrobeats dance spotlight name, he honed his skills in Spain, entered competitions at 18, and later moved to the UK to further his career. Today, he works nights while building his dance career, teaching, performing, and inspiring dancers online and offline. His background, determination, and creativity all contribute to why he stands out as an Afrobeats dancer Manchester can genuinely be proud of.
Why did you decide to pursue dance? What sparked your passion?
Dan:
“Dancing genuinely makes me happy. When I’m dancing, it feels like I leave the real world for a moment and go somewhere peaceful.”
He continues:
“All the stress, worries, or heavy thoughts disappear. It’s like therapy — something that helps me release negativity and reconnect with myself.”
For him, being an Afrobeats dancer is as much about healing as it is about movement.
Did anyone inspire you to dance or influence your style?
Dan’s early inspirations may surprise those who know him for Afrobeats today.
Dan:
“Growing up, I watched a lot of Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. I admired the way they moved—the creativity, the energy, the emotion.”
Their performances taught him that movement could move people.
And eventually, that same expressive focus would shape his Afrobeats dance style.
How did Afrobeats music and culture influence your dance journey?
Dan:
“I actually started with hip-hop while I was living in Spain. There weren’t many Afrobeats dancers around me then.”
People encouraged him to try Afrobeats, so he began learning through YouTube.
Everything changed when he moved to the UK:
“When I moved, I met more dancers, attended classes, learned techniques, and eventually took Afrobeats more seriously.”
How old were you when you joined your first dance competition in Spain?
Dan:
“I was 18 years old — still very young but hungry to learn.” he remembers.
Those early shows taught him stage presence—something he now passes on in his teaching.
Dan lived in Spain for four years before moving to the UK
When did you choose to focus specifically on Afrobeats?
Dan:
“After I moved to the UK. I connected with dancers online, watched their videos, met people in Manchester and London… that’s when I committed to Afrobeats fully.”
How did you learn how to teach dance?
Dan:
“I started teaching online through Instagram and Zoom. People took it seriously, and some improved quickly.”
This period helped him develop a teaching style that was patient, expressive, and character-focused.
He now teaches both kids and adults, especially beginners who think they “can’t dance.”
“Seeing someone go from ‘I can’t dance’ to actually getting the moves is very rewarding. I did this for the entire COVID lockdown period, since everyone was at home.“
Has your dance style evolved? Do you merge Afrobeats with other genres?
Dan:
“I mix hip-hop techniques with Afrobeats textures. My teacher in Spain also taught me about stage presence and entertaining people.”
He even incorporates mime-style expressions and playful character work.
This is what makes his Afrobeats performances so memorable.
He also learned showmanship early:
“My teacher in Spain taught me stage presence and entertaining people.”
This fusion makes his Afrobeats dance performances stand out.
Do you try to tell stories or convey emotions when you dance?
Dan:
“It depends on the song and atmosphere.”
He mentions one performance in particular.
One of his most iconic moments came in a Manchester dance battle.
“I wore a Spider-Man mask. It grabbed attention and helped me bring a character to life with Afrobeat movements.”
Did you win the battle where you wore the Spider-Man mask?
Dan:
“Yes, I won. My opponent later told me he was scared of me because he’d seen my videos.”
The mask was bold — but memorable.
For Dan, the win wasn’t just about skill—it was about connection.
“The crowd’s energy helped me a lot.”
“Winning that competition was one of the biggest moments for me.”
It proved what he was capable of as an Afrobeats dancer.
Who do you enjoy teaching — kids or adults?
Dan:
“I enjoy teaching kids because they learn fast and listen well.”
But he also loves adult beginners:
“It’s rewarding seeing someone go from ‘I can’t dance’ to actually getting the moves.”
“I encourage freestyle. It doesn’t have to be complicated — you just move with the beat.”
Freestyle builds confidence, which is central to Afrobeats dance.
What do you think of the dance community in Manchester?
Dan:
“Right now, many dancers are busy with work. The community feels quiet. Sometimes there is only one active Afrobeats class.”
He believes unity is the solution:
“If more dancers came together, it would be stronger. One unified space would make dance more fun and accessible.”
This mirrors discussions across the UK dance scene—community is everything.
Why don’t dancers host classes regularly?
Dan:
“Mostly because of work schedules. Many dancers can’t commit consistently.”
Time is his biggest obstacle.
“Balancing work, university, and dance is hard. Sometimes you plan a class, and nobody shows up—that’s discouraging.”
But looking back, he sees growth.
“Time management, creativity, and taking risks like the Spider-Man mask—these pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
What’s your favourite song to dance to right now?
Dan:
“EWO By Famous Pluto. It’s one of my favourites right now.”
A dance video to the track is coming soon.
If you weren’t an Afrobeats dancer, what else would you do?
Dan:
“I’d still be a dancer—probably in hip-hop. That was my first love.”
Dan’s journey shows that Afrobeats dance is built on more than talent alone. It is shaped by discipline, emotion, and the courage to keep showing up, even when the path feels uncertain. From late-night work shifts to teaching, competing, and performing, he continues to grow as a dancer while staying true to himself and his community. His story reflects the reality of many dancers in Manchester today — passionate, resilient, and full of potential. As he continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: Dan is not just dancing to be seen, but dancing to connect, inspire, and push Afrobeats dance forward.
To stay connected with him and follow his dance journey, performances, and class updates, follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afroking__d/
If you would like to get into teaching, get started for free on Sheydance.com. All dance styles welcome.
