Sean Brackenridge and Damion Smith are not only the beloved sons of the Seaview Gardens community in Kingston, but also the 2010 winners of the Red Label Wine Dancin Dynamites and The Battle of 5 competition.

Popularly known as Card Unit, the cousins recall their younger years as students at Vauxhall High School. “We had a passion for dancing at a tender age but it was whilst being students at Vauxhall High that we considered dancing as a profession. Spade (referring to Sean) was the more energetic one as he was always flipping — I mean he was the king of back flip,” says Cris Clubz (Damion) in between laughter.

The school concerts were later followed by performances at their kingston 11 community concerts and dancehall sessions.

According to Spade 45, it was their close friends, families and fellow community members who, on recognising their talent, encouraged them to audition for the Dancin Dynamites competition in 2008.

“We got eliminated at the elimination round” a laughing Spade told Splash. “We were a bit disappointed and of course humiliated but we went back to the drawing board and re-entered in 2009 and was placed 4th in the competition. We were crushed as like every dancer in the competition we expected to win and we were a crowd favorite,” Spade continued. The dancing duo said they were determined to make ammends for past disappointments so they started rehearshing just days after being placed 4th for the 2010 competition. With endless campaigning accompanied by eye-catching dance moves and swagger, Card Unit was named the 2010 Dancin’ Dynamites.

What was the feeling when they were announced winners last year? The group said they were overjoyed as they were extremely anxious to make their well -wishers and community proud.

Of life after Dancin’ Dynamites? Spade 45 and Clubz Cris have been featured in Richie Loops My Cupp music video and that of Versatile called Sneakers. They have also performed at various entertainment events including Portland Jerk Festival and French Guiana welcomed them for the Summer Dance Party of Six competition. Card Unit can also be seen at every popular dancehall sessions weekly showcasing their talent.

What sets them apart from other dancers in the dancehall? “We respect every local dancer’s style, as they set the pace for us and make our dancing path easier, but when most dancers have Bogle and others as their idols we looked up to some of America and Europe’s greatest dancers of all time as our role models. Their style are different from the rest which makes them unique. With those moves we blend our dancehall moves in accompanied with Spade’s flipping (laughs) we create our own signature moves,” Clubz Cris explained.

The 2010 Dynamites say that in the near future they hope to grow more as it relates to a career in entertainment — music and dance. “Currently we are in the studio recording a host of dance singles to be released very soon. Our three-year quest for victory were filled with numerous revelations, disappointments and growth and just dancing and music for us,” Spade said.

— Simone Morgan