YOUNG dancer Keto Fras accepts that dancing is “part of our cultural heritage” and is keen to play his role in preserving same.

Although he names dancers such as Bogle and John Hype as “the dancer dem we look up to”, Keto Fras also notes the influence of the traditional dance moves on current ones and says he likes the fusion.

“The dance Dutty Whine wasn’t really new, cause our ancestors were doing similar dance moves years ago,” he reasoned. “We just bring it into the present and brighten it up,” he said.

Keto Fras has been dancing since his days at Holy Trinity High School and sees dancing “as a way of elevating certain things”. He believes that if inner-city youths had access to real dance studios in their communities, there would be less crime and violence. His goal, he says, is to build one such studio in his Dunkirk community in Kingston.

Now signed to Shocking Vibes, the youngster, whose real name is Oketo Orlando Campbell, says this has been one of the highs so far in his career. Keto Fras has always had great admiration for the Ding Dong-led Ravers Clavers crew, which is based at Shocking Vibes, so when a friend gave him a ‘link’, he seized the moment. The young dancer recalls that he had to do an audition and five minutes into his presentation, he was given the nod of approval.

Keto Fras, however, has his sights set on becoming a choreographer, but for now, he is content with doing the rounds at the various night spots and securing roles in music videos.

“I did Beenie Man and Future Fambo’s Rum and Red Bull/I’m OK music video and that was like a dream come true. I didn’t get a big role because I’m not a major player yet, but still a lot of people recognise me from it and it has helped my career. With so many dancers around — and everybody brimming with talent — you have to do everything to make yourself stand out,” Keto Fras commented.

Keto Fras has so far stamped his signature on the Fras Dem Dance, and this, he says, is simply the start of what he intends to be a great career in dancing and choreography.