A1NANA - GHANA TO GLOBAL
3 mins
A1NANA - GHANA TO GLOBAL
In a city constantly reinventing itself, Nana stands out as someone who didn’t wait for space to be made — he created it. A dancer from East London with roots deeply embedded in Ghana, we sat down with him to unpack his journey into dance and it reflects a fusion of heritage and hustle that has come to define a new era of African dance in the UK.
3 mins
“Growing up in Ghana meant that I was close to the culture of dance… so I was able to bring the culture & style to London”
Raised in Ghana, dance wasn’t something Nana learned, it was something he lived. Movement was part of the everyday: woven into celebrations, language, and identity. That early exposure to rhythm and culture became the foundation for what would later become a career in redefining how African dance was seen in London.
When Nana arrived in the UK, there was no clear path for African dancers, no platform, no blueprint. But rather than waiting for recognition, he carved his own lane. As a self-taught dancer, he honed his craft by studying videos, mastering routines through pure instinct and repetition. With no formal training and little representation in the mainstream, Nana relied on raw talent, discipline, and vision.
Leaving university to pursue dance full-time was a risk, but one that paid off. In the absence of an existing community, Nana built his own. He became one of the first to bring Ghanaian dance culture to London in a way that felt fresh, relevant, and unapologetically authentic, setting trends rather than following them.
They shaped the way I dance, we have flavour..which we brought to the world
IRAY-Movement taught me to trust in myself and believe in my talent…the way we dance is special
His time with the collective IRAY Movement, alongside talents like J Holland, Mundo, and MB , played a major role in shaping his identity as a performer. Together, they brought a new energy to afrobeats, blending tradition with originality and carving out a distinct style that challenged expectations and changed narratives. What they created was more than choreography; it was cultural storytelling.
Nana’s journey has since brought him to stages and into rooms with some of the biggest names in music: Wizkid, NSG, Tyla, Burna Boy. But it was his work with Asake that marked a true turning point. That performance introduced Nana to the world, not just as a dancer, but as a force within the global dance community.
Even with growing recognition, Nana’s focus remains rooted in authenticity. He speaks often about staying grounded, knowing who you are, and not getting too comfortable with popularity. For him, dance is more than movement, it’s a form of self-expression. It’s how he stays aligned, driven, and connected to a bigger vision.
Nana's journey is built on self-belief, cultural roots, and a clear creative vision. He hasn’t just kept pace with the culture, he’s been the one setting it. And this is only the beginning.