Kaffy

Kaffy
Kaffy at Omawumi's The Lasso of Truth album launch in 2013
Born
Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau[1][2]

(1980-06-30) 30 June 1980 (age 44)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active2002 - present
OrganizationImagneto Dance Company
Children2

Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau (born 30 June 1980), popularly known by her stage name Kaffy,[3][4] is a Nigerian dancer, dance critic, choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach. She is also the founder and owner of Imagneto Dance Company. She is best known for breaking the Guinness World Record for "Longest Dance Party" at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006.[5]

Early life and education

Kaffy was born and raised in Nigeria .[6] She completed her primary education at Chrisland School, Opebi and her secondary school education at Coker Secondary School, Orile-Iganmu before attending Yaba College of Technology for a while and went on to obtain a diploma in data processing and computer science[7] from Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Career

Kaffy's dancing career took off after she went to an event to perform onstage by someone who spotted her when she used to go to the National Stadium during weekends for dance rehearsals and workouts.[6]

In 2006, Kaffy led her dance group to break the Guinness Book of Record for "Longest Dance Party" after they danced for 55hours and 40minutes.[8] She is currently a dance instructor who has developed innovative visualisation-based methods for teaching dance and dance fitness in an accelerated-learning format.[9]

In 2017, she created 'The Dance Workshop ' a dance convention aimed at training and mentoring professional dancers as well as promoting cultural exchange within the Nigerian dance industry. The 2017 Edition featured America's leading choreographer, AY Hollywood.

Personal life

She was married to Joseph Ameh, the music director and drummer for Nigerian duo P-Square from July 2015 to January 2022.[10] She filed for divorce on 11 January 2022.[11] She has two children with him.[12]

Filmography

Dance fitness and instructions

  • "9jaDance Burnout"
  • "Ijoda9ja Dance Burnout"[13]

Reality television shows

Music videos

Kaffy is recognized for her dance moves and level of stamina. She has featured in award-winning musical videos for artistes such as Seyi Shay, D'banj, P-Square Olamide Tiwa Savage and some other international top acts.[16][17]

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Award description Result
2013 Creative Industry Awards Performing Arts Nominated[18]
2014 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Dancer of the Year Won[19]
2015 The Beatz Awards Best Choreographer of the Year Won[20]
2018 The Headies Awards Special Recognition Award Won
2021 The Beatz Awards Special Recognition Award Won[21]

References

  1. ^ Okhuevbie, Omon (28 May 2022). "My Ex-Husband Was Sleeping With My Friends, Kaffy Opens Up On Divorce – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Independent Newspaper Nigeria – Breaking News from Nigeria and the World. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  2. ^ "I was celibate for three years before divorce - Dancer Kaffy". Punch Newspapers. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  3. ^ "WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT, KAFFY, THE DANCE QUEEN". Nigeria Films. Alonge Michael. 7 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  4. ^ "I stopped sleeping with my husband three years before we divorced — Kaffy - Premium Times Nigeria". 28 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  5. ^ "BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: Chilling Out with Nigeria's Guinness World Record Holder, the "Dance Queen" Kaffy!". BellaNaija. Adeola Adeyemo. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b "KAFAYAT OLUWATOYIN SHAFAU-AMEH: HOW SHE DANCED TO LIMELIGHT". ThisDay Live. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  7. ^ "The story of my humble beginnings — Kaffy". Vanguard News. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Kaffy: How I danced my way to fame, fortune". DailyTrust. Amina Alhassan. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  9. ^ "Dancer to release fitness DVD this February". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Dance Queen Kaffy Celebrates Second Wedding Anniversary". Naij. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Dancer kaffy divorces husband". Naij. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Dancer Kaffy & Husband Joseph Ameh Welcome Baby Girl [PHOTOS]". 360Nobs. Mayowa Wana George. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  13. ^ "Ijoda9ja: Dance Queen Kaffy Releases Dance DVD". NextHop. Skizzyyo. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  14. ^ "Kaffy - MTN Project Fame West Africa". Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  15. ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (13 September 2015). "Kaffy takes steam off Peter Okoye at Lagos Dance with Peter audition". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  16. ^ "He's back: D'banj shoots 'Don't tell me nonsense' video in Lagos (PHOTOS)". YNaija. Isi Esene. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  17. ^ "6 things we learnt from Psquare's new video, 'Personally'". YNaija. SK Johnson. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  18. ^ "TY BELLO, KAFFY……OTHERS NOMINATED FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARDS". E24-7 MAG. E24-7 MAGAZINE. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  19. ^ "Davido, Iyanya, Flavour, Kaffy Wins Big at AFRIMMA Awards + Full list of Winners". Ijebuloaded. IjebuLoaded. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  20. ^ "2015 Beatz Awards: Full List of Winners". nigerianreviews.com. nigerianreviews.com. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  21. ^ "WINNERS 2021". The Beatz Awards. Retrieved 16 May 2022.