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
Montego Bay is the capital of the Parishes of Jamaica, parish of Saint James Parish, Jamaica, St. James in Jamaica. The city is the fourth-largest urban area in the country by population, after Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston, Spanish Town, and Por ...
,
Jamaica, to win the official female dance tournament for "
dancehall reggae" music and took the $50,000 prize, and as a consequence took the title of "Dancehall Queen", after two years of practice and a background in classical ballet. With her victory, she opened the door for dancers from around the world to compete. 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. She also teaches dance in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
, and has released DVDs teaching and demonstrating as an artist and producer, and popularising Jamaican culture in Japan. A television report dedicated to Junko was part of the British television programme ''Japanorama'' shown on 21 September 2006 on
BBC Three.
Japanorama episode summary- cf : Series 2, Episode 3, ''Zoku''
/ref>
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
External links
Official blog at Ameba: ''Bashment – DANCEHALL QUEEN JUNKO OFFICIAL BLOG
Former official blog: ''DANCEHALL QUEEN JUNKO 's BLOG''
Reggae culture
Japanese female dancers
Japanese dancers
Dancehall dancers
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)
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