Enfnts Terribles

Tell us about your journey. What led you to producing and choreography?

KANESSA: I started dancing when I was little. I always danced at home, looked at clips on YouTube, and later my parents signed me up for dance classes. I did that for three years. Later, I trained a lot, even on my own, and started traveling to London. There I trained with dancers. When I returned to Brussels, I found my clique, and we started doing battles. That’s what boosted my career. I also did my studies in dance and danced for a classical company, but I later switched to hip-hop. And now, for the last four years, I have been specializing in Afro House and Afro-fusion.

CHUKI: I’ve always been in love with making music. I started playing the guitar when I was six and started going to music school. That was always a big dream. I got the hang of playing guitar quickly and got interested in digital stuff like computer loops. From there, it evolved into making beats, but I always had a band and was also trying to produce and work on songs. I just followed wherever God took me.

As a producer and choreographer, you both work with different artists. How do you decide who you want to collaborate with?

CHUKI: I just listen to a new artist or producer to hear if it sounds pure. With that, I mean if they’re honest and come from a real place. Things like an accent or if it’s good don’t really matter that much.

KANESSA: I agree, given that dance is strongly linked to music. It’s all about the feeling, and I always listen to my first instinct. If I don’t feel the song, it’s useless.

Do you get a good sense of community in the industry that you’re in?

KANESSA: I think that’s complicated. It’s a very competitive and closed-of industry. You have to claim your place, stand out, and be ahead of others. But what I love about it is that it also feels like a second family. I found people I feel good with, and who have the same mindset that I do. Just the simple and human moments are what make me love the industry. But it’s not an easy industry, especially for women.

CHUKI: Here in Belgium, it’s very closed because there’s less to get. Those who do get something don’t want to share. It’s more free for all. But at the same time, that’s normal. That’s life. You can’t just give things to people. It can be difficult if you’re new to the game, but you can’t ask people for favors. You have to do it yourself. If it’s meant for you, God will make it happen.

How do you stay original?

CHUKI: By trying less. That’s something that I learned these past two years. You got somewhere by just doing it and not trying your hardest. Then you get where you want to be and think ‘shit’ because now you have to maintain this. You just got to go with the flow.

KANESSA: I agree. I think the more you try, the more you lose your authenticity. You have to be who you are; that’s original.

CHUKI: Yes, because everybody is original. People are scared to show themselves. Just be you. That’s some Shakespeare shit. To be or not to be, that’s the question.

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