Shelly Belly Calls for Dancehall Recognition at Sumfest: ‘I Need My Crown’
Veteran Jamaican dancer Sheldon Lewis, popularly known as Shelly Belly, is making a passionate appeal to Reggae Sumfest promoters Joe Bogdanovich and Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell to crown him as the official King of Dance.
Shelly Belly, a staple in the dancehall scene for over 26 years, is urging the organizers to recognize his contributions to Jamaican dance culture, particularly in light of the recent announcement that deejay Vybz Kartel will be crowned “Dancehall King” at the upcoming staging of the international festival.
“Sumfest mi want a crown. Whol heap a work, twenty-six years, mi need it”, were the sentiments of the dancer at a recently held Uptown Mondays event.
The dancer was previously crowned Dancing King on May 30, 2022, at an event held on Lyndhurst Road dubbed “Yard and Abroad a Knock E Ball, hosted by Fada Del. He was honoured again in 2023 by the legendary Stone Love sound system, further solidifying his status in the culture.
Some fans and fellow dancers have rallied behind his call, taking to social media to support the veteran’s claim for the crown. It remains to be seen whether the Reggae Sumfest team will respond to Shelly Belly’s appeal, but one thing is certain — his legacy in Dancehall is firmly planted in the history books.
