Text Francesca Gavin

Choreography and dancing is no longer an art at the margins. Give social media its due, the skill and talent of artist have come to the fore. Few Londoners have the unique taste and texture of Amber Rae. With over 2 and half million views on YouTube for her performance to Wizkid and over 675k followers on TikTok, she has quietly become one of the most exciting performers of her generation choreographed and danced with talents like Stefflon Don and Jorja Smith. Recently she went viral with a short routine to Vbyz Kartel – which led to her performing on stage with the Jamaican dancehall icon himself. Rae is herself an inspiration, an embodying what makes creative London so special.

How would you describe your dance style?

My dance style is fierce, fearless, and unapologetically mine. I work in the commercial world, but what makes my movement unique is the deep influence of my Jamaican heritage , it’s embedded in my flow, my energy, my attitude. It’s raw, powerful, and always evolving. I like to say it’s my signature… a diamond in the rough.

How did the collaboration with Vybz Kartel happen?

That connection actually started through a TikTok dance I choreographed. It caught fire online and ended up being used in the main video. The whole experience was wild but also proof of how powerful digital platforms can be when you move with authenticity. From Tottenham, North London to a global platform, just through a moment of expression.

How do your thoughts about the body, identity, and heritage come across in what you do as a dancer and choreographer?

As a Black, curvy woman from North London – Tottenham – a place where not many make it out, I’ve had to break down doors in this industry. Everything I do is shaped by that experience. I honour my body and my background in my movement, but also in my message. I want other women who look like me to feel seen, celebrated, and unstoppable. Whether I’m choreographing for artists like Jorja Smith or Stefflon Don, my goal is always to help them feel powerful and confident in their bodies. I bring that same energy to every space I’m in… whether it’s a stage, a studio, or a classroom. My choreography is about reclaiming space – physically, emotionally, and culturally – and empowering others to do the same.

Can you tell us about a moment in your practice where vulnerability led to a creative breakthrough?

There was a point in my journey as a dancer and choreographer where I struggled with feeling like I truly belonged. Growing up, I didn’t see dancers who looked like me – Black, curvy, bold – represented on TV or in the industry. It was hard to imagine myself on those stages or behind the scenes creating for them, because no one showed me it was possible. That absence made me question everything, especially in spaces that didn’t reflect my body or background.

But when I started owning that truth and stopped trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what a dancer or choreographer should be, everything changed. I brought that vulnerability into my work, into the studio, into my performances, into my creative process. That shift unlocked something powerful in me. My movement became more intentional, more personal, more honest. That’s when my choreography really started resonating because it was no longer about perfection, it was about presence. And that presence came from finally showing up as my full self.

Community and femininity are very much part of your work. Why is that so important to you?

Community is at the core of everything I do. I’ve seen women from all walks of life! Mums, professionals, students completely transform through dance. Have you ever watched a music video and thought, “I wish I could do that” or “I wish I had that kind of confidence”? That’s what I create for them. I build a space where women can step into their power, feel sexy, strong, and completely unapologetic. My goal is always to make every woman feel like a star. Femininity, to me, is about owning your power unapologetically. It’s not about fitting into a mould, it’s about rewriting the narrative. I want women to feel celebrated, not just accepted.

What do you think dance can do more than any other medium?

Dance speaks in ways words never can. It’s emotion, culture, history, and protest all rolled into one. As dancers and choreographers, we have the ability to show people what they can’t always hear in the music we bring the rhythm, the energy, the emotion to life. We don’t just support the music, we elevate it. We make records go viral, we make people feel, we make them smile. Dance has the power to unify people, to tell stories that resonate across borders and backgrounds. It connects deeply, instantly, and viscerally. It’s not just movement… It’s meaning.

@amberraeofficial_
https://www.youtube.com/@amberrae1136