Letting the bodies move freely, channeling the intense emotions through physical movements, escaping the cruelties of life, disconnecting from the world, allowing the body as a whole to breathe. Dancing is, indeed, one of the most beautiful forms of expression. It is a form of art that helps people express themselves without the struggle of finding the right words. Dance is pure magic, and dancers, as per the world’s most famous theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, are the athletes of Gods.
This form of expression of emotion and mood involves the entire body; lets every part relieve stress and breathe. The best thing about dancing is that it is a form of expression that one can learn with time. One of the most dominant forms of expression through dance is hip hop. For centuries, this has served as a medium to express concerns, problems, emotions, and feelings. Despite this, the majority of the world looks upon this dance form that encourages crimes, spreads negativity, and is a threat to the young minds.
The world needs to understand that their stereotypical mindsets, strips away one’s chance to open up to the world. Many hip hop artists step into other dance forms due to the labels the world imposes on them, but they cannot find that connecting.
Revamping things around this world and serving as an advocate of hip hop dancing is, Platinum J. He is an African-American, who the world came to know in 2009 after he was chosen as the champion at Baltimore’s Got Talent’09. The 35-year-old dancer and choreographer are turning heads with his expert dancing skills and elite hip hop dance moves.
He is taking a stand for a dance form that he truly respects. Platinum J is playing a key role in fighting the stereotypical mindset of the people in this world who associate his dance form as something unacceptable to society. Not only is he working on mastering this dance form himself, but he is also working to bring hip hop dancing back by helping it acquire the respect that it has lost over time.
A Dancer & Choreographer Helping Preserve the Beauty of Hip Hop
Platinum J’s birthname is Jermaine Melvin, and he was born in Nuremberg, the second-largest city in Germany. He opened his eyes on July 31, 1985, in the house of Carl E. Melvin and lynette Melvin-Barmer. He was raised in a military family and lived in Germany just for two years after his birth. Jermaine and his family moved to the United States, where he was destined to find his true passion.
When, at the age of 8, he moved to Washington, D.C with his family, he grew a fondness of karate. While taking his karate classes, he also stepped into hip hop dancing. It is true when people say that an individual can live multiple passions. While Jermaine was working on his karate skills, he was also putting in the time to groom his dancing skills. He acquired a brown belt in karate, but he took up dancing seriously when he moved to Maryland. Jermaine entered a performing arts school, Harford Technical High School. He graduated from high school with a major in computer tech.
Jermaine was serious about his dancing, and he wanted to assess his skills. After graduating from high school, he decided to audition for “So You Think Can Dance.” It is an American reality television show which provides a platform for dancers to turn their dreams into full-fledged careers. Appearing on Fox Television’s most well-reputed reality television dance show gave the young and aspiring dancer some momentum.
Jermaine did not rest and kept working on his hip hop dance skills until he landed upon an opportunity that could turn his life around. In 2009, he went to audition for a local television show, “Baltimore’s Got Talent.” Even though it was a local show, but it could give him an entrance into the dancing industry, which was his ultimate goal. Jermaine’s appearance in this television show stirred hype among the locals. His unique style, signature moves, and an approach influenced by the God of Hip Hop dance form, Michael Jackson, guaranteed his entrance into the industry. It was during this show that he got a stage name, “Platinum J.”
He won Baltimores got talent in the 18 and older category, which served as a milestone in his career. It opened doors to opportunities that most dancers dream of. Platinum J became a well-known name in the Hip Hop industry. The way he created his moves, displayed clearly how this dance form can help a person raise their self-worth, set values, and help them channel their stress into positive vibes. While there are hundreds of hip hop dancers working their way to the top, Platinum J is a person making a name in the industry due to the way he embraces this dance form and lets his soul take over his body. He also produces his music mixes that perfectly fit his moves!
Platinum J founded M.D.M Entertainment, music, and dance management company, and co-owns Alliance of Kings Entertainment. In addition to this, he is choreographing aspiring hip-hop dancers. From children as young as eight years to adults as old as 50, hip-hop enthusiasts of all ages come to this well-known hip dancer and choreographer, who understands the beauty of this dance form. He has taught at Harford Dance Center, SuperNova Dance Company, and Cecil Dance Company.
Being a hip-hop dancer himself, Platinum J realizes the need for people to accept this dance form. Embracing this dance form helps people express their emotions and channel their negative thoughts in a way that does not require any words. It is a therapy for social anxiety, and it works well in improving one’s cognitive abilities. Jermaine “Platinum J ‘ Melvin is working to preserve the originality of this dance form and its true essence, which may fade away if no one takes notice.