.Ghanaian dancer, Dancegod Lloyd, has recently shared his experience of having to conceal his roots to secure jobs early in his career.
Dancegod Lloyd explained that it wasn’t shyness that led him to lie about his background, but rather the fear of missing out on opportunities when visiting clients’ homes and offices for dance lessons. He expressed that clients wanted to know him better, including his background and where he came from, as they held certain perceptions and concerns.
“When you go to people’s houses, these people are well-to-do, people of class, and when you go to their house to teach them, they want to know you well. Your background, where you are coming from… what if you are up to something else?” Dancegod Lloyd shared in an interview with Babs Cann on Original TV. “Sometimes when I go to people’s homes, I tell them that I am from Tema or just say I live around because they had this perception about where I was coming from, Ashaiman.”
However, Dancegod Lloyd eventually had a realization that staying true to himself was essential. He felt a need to be honest and face reality, especially as he was motivating others on Instagram while contradicting himself. He made the decision to start telling people that he is from Ashaiman, embracing the community that raised him, despite the potential risks to his career.
“One time I was like, I need to stay true to myself because here I was motivating others on Instagram. I was contradicting myself. I needed to face reality so I started telling people that I am from Ashaiman,” he explained.
Dancegod Lloyd, who has collaborated with top brands and celebrities in Ghana, expressed his pride in witnessing positive change and upliftment in the Ashaiman community. He mentioned Dancehall musician Stonebwoy as one of the proud sons of the community.
“When we start talking, it’s all vibe and happiness until I mention Ashaiman, and then their mood starts to change. But now things have changed. They are proud to have an Ashaiman boy on board… it feels good, and I feel relaxed… just like Stonebwoy. Others can boldly say that they are from Ashaiman and other slum communities,” Dancegod noted in an interview.
Dancegod Lloyd’s journey from concealing his background to embracing it serves as an inspiring example of the power of authenticity and the importance of staying true to oneself, regardless of the potential risks involved.
