Hugely talented group of dancing kids from Uganda’s capital, Kampala in East Africa have conquered many a heart in the world with their super-crazy creativity in detailed-in-pattern dance routine as they showcased their raw talent at the biggest talent global stage, The British has Got Talent (BGT)
The audience went mental as the African kids owned the stage and the judges were captured to the very core of their being with the tough-as-a-teak head judge and talent show guru Symon Cowell completely smitten-as-hell, saying:
“That actually never happened. Normally, the golden buzzer is placed afterwards, but he gave you the golden buzzer and with the confetti, it was even magical.”
Cowell revealed that the golden buzzer, which sends the act straight through to the competition’s live semi-final, has never been pressed before during a routine but described the moment as “magical”.
He added: “I think it’s incredible. You’re so young, you’ve flown all the way, no fear, this is an audition we’re going to remember and it was brilliant.
“That’s what this show is all about and that’s what the golden buzzer is for.”
New BGT judge, Bruno Tonioli, an Italian choreographer, ballroom and Latin dancer, and a Television personality, who is also and Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the USA, was over the moon with the groups performances that he didn’t even realise that he broke the rule by pressing the golden buzzer before the contestants finished their auditioning performance.
Bruno was seen was seen dancing throughout the Ugandan kids’ performance, which sent both the studio live audience and those watching from home on TV into frenzy.
After the routine, professional dancer Tonioli said: “I was literally exploding. I am telling you, you should be proud of yourself. I can’t wait to see you back”.
The children are between the ages of 5 and 13 and are part of 30 kids brought together by Daouda Kavuma from Kampala’s Katwe slum.
The group’s mentor, Kavuma, formed the group in 2007, intending to keep the children in school instead of them loitering on the streets.
They live in a private orphanage in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
“I aim to make their lives better through drama, dance, and music”, said Kavuma to the BGT judges.
The Ghetto Kids did not only conquer the live audience and TV viewers with an excellent dance routine, their command of the English language was top-notch.
Through their performances that see them traversing the world, they improve their lives by paying hospital bills, buying food, school fees, and other basic needs necessary to a child.
Ghetto kids came into the limelight in 2014 when they recorded a dance video of Eddy Kenzo’s “Sitya Loss”.
The video featuring Isaac, Patricia, Bachir, Fred, and Alex went viral, accumulating over 8 million views on social networks and YouTube.
After seeing the video, Eddy Kenzo requested the children to feature in the song’s official video, which was released in September 2014.
This was a turning point for Ghetto kids as they could now afford school fees and food.
The founder, Kavuma Daouda, also bought equipment to further harness the kids’ talents and part from being a trained teacher, he is a music composer and producer for the group’s pieces performed when touring the world.
Mr Kavuma says that the group has its roots in the slums, and they want to maintain that. He says they don’t regret telling their story of poor people with enormous potential who hope someone will hear them someday.
Greater Heights
Among the people who have admired these kids are American artists Nicki Minaj and P. Diddy.
In 2017, the Ghetto Kids were featured in French Montana’s Unforgettable clip, which launched them to the American audience.
At the beginning of 2023, they went to France as performers in the half-time Paris Saint-Germain’s game at Parc des Princes.
Here, they interacted with PSG players, including Kylian Mbappe, Neymer Jr and Lionel Messi among many top football stars.
For now, the crowning moment that the Ghetto Kids will live to remember is this year’s BGT, where they got a golden buzzer from new judge Bruno Tonioli in the middle of their dance performance.
The golden buzzer gave them a direct ticket to the competition’s semi-finals slot.
For Ghetto Kids, the world is theirs to conquer as the journey continues.
“That actually never happened. Normally, the golden buzzer is placed afterwards, but he gave you the golden buzzer and with the confetti, it was even magical.”
Symon Cowell Head Judge
Entertainment Mogul and Britain’s Got Talent Head Judge
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