Ghana’s most-followed TikTok personality and a leading figure in the dance community, Endurance Grand, has called attention to the marginalization of dancers in the country’s entertainment sector.
In an interview on the Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast with Derick Elorm Ashilevi, she highlighted the pivotal role dancers play in amplifying artists’ music through viral dance challenges and performances.
Despite their contributions, she noted that dancers are often overlooked in major award schemes, particularly the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).
According to her, Dancers may not receive royalties, but the advocacy for proper recognition and inclusion in dedicated categories within award schemes is for the stability of the industry.
“We’ve reached a point where dancers who create routine choreographies for music videos, performances for artist tours deserve more than just a tag on social media”, she told Derick.
“Today, it’s no longer just about going viral. It’s about being recognised the right way, because dance has become a real source of income. Dance has put food on my table. It has put food on my colleagues’ tables. So if we’re doing this out of love, the least the world can do is see it and be inspired to join it.
Elorm, if it takes signing a petition, let’s sign it. Music artists earn royalties when someone plays their song. Dancers, on the other hand, earn nothing when their moves are copied. We don’t profit from it, and that’s okay. But acknowledgement? Being placed in the right categories? That’s what we’re asking for now. It’s time.”
Despite being overlooked as a dancer, Endurance revealed why she continues to create killer moves. She also opened up about navigating competition in the industry, the real reason her dance routines go viral, and the untold stories of life at the top.
In a rare, vulnerable moment, she shared how she’s still not fully recovered from the loss of her dad and how she continues to live with some regrets.