Samuel Brian reclaims Red Bull Dance title in Kenya

After a thrilling afternoon of freestyle dance battles, Samuel Brian clinched the national title for a second time, securing his place to represent Kenya at the World Finals in Los Angeles this October.

Speaking after his win, Brian said, “I feel great, God exists! I wasn’t able to make it to India last year for the global finals, but I’ve been given another chance, this time in America. When I got on stage today, I just wanted to enjoy myself, the same way I do when I dance at home.”

The 20-year-old dancer began his journey at the age of nine in 2014, and credits his years of dedication and community support for his success. “Red Bull Dance Your Style is really uniting the dance community. It’s amazing that they bring in international dancers and winners from other countries too,” he added.

The 2025 edition of the competition saw intense regional qualifiers in Eldoret (8 March), Mombasa (5 April), and Nairobi (12 April), with each city producing five top finalists. These 15 dancers joined wildcard entrant Samuel Brian for the national showdown:

• Eldoret finalists: Darwin Edagiza, Vincent Kipkemoi (VK Don), Tony Abuga (TJ), Ace B, and Yvette Kisache.
• Mombasa finalists: Sofia Papita, King Brissy, Bollah Mbantu, Moddy Ndege, and Tevin Stylez.
• Nairobi finalists: Zach The Great, Almasi King, Lenox Blessed, Young Meshu, and Kyra Bronze.

In the lead-up to the finals, Kenya’s vibrant dance community gathered on 26 April, for a full day of workshops led by top local and international talent. Sessions included AfroSassy with Ayoma, Dancehall with Quincy, and Vogue with Wiggly, alongside Afro and Krump masterclasses by Nigerian ambassador King DaVinci and South African dancer VERB.

These workshops served as a hub for creative exchange, skill-building, and celebration of street dance culture, not only within Kenya but across the wider African continent.

Now held in over 50 countries, Red Bull Dance Your Style has cemented its status as a global showcase of urban dance talent. In 2024, Kenya’s Pessa Vanessa represented the country at the World Finals in Mumbai. This year, all eyes turn to Brian as he prepares to carry Kenya’s flag to Los Angeles and make history once again.