Born in Toronto to Jamaican parents, it is no surprise that CJ Jackson soaked up the dancehall-reggae culture of his parents’ homeland. He also developed an early appreciation for the American hip hop movement. Those genres inspire his creations as a dancer/choreographer which has been his profession for the past 10 years.
A graduate of commercial dance studies at George Brown College in Ontario, he has his eyes firmly cast on the dancehall market.
“It would be an honor to work with artists such as Valiant, Tommy Lee Sparta, Skillibeng and Teejay. It would also be an honor to work with dancers such as, Kaka Highflames, North Coast Boyz and Black Eagles,” he said.
CJ rates his role as lead dancer and choreographer for Michigesso, the music video by fellow Canadian Megan Soo and Jamaican deejay E-Dee, as his biggest undertaking to date. It was filmed in Cuba and enjoyed steady rotation on Caribbean channels including Flow in Jamaica.
He visited Jamaica in late 2023 with Megan Soo and E-Dee, making stops at popular events such as Uptown Mondays and Anchor studios in Kingston.
It was at gigs like Uptown Monday that Bogle, one of CJ’s biggest influences, first showcased his remarkable talent.
“Bogle is a legend and an inspiration including all of the old school dancehall dancers. However, my current favorite new school dancehall group are the North Coast Boyz,” he said.
CJ’s parents are from Papine, an urban community in St. Andrew parish and St. Mary parish in eastern Jamaica. The former has produced acts such as Etana and Tiger, while St. Mary is the birthplace of Ninjaman, Capleton and Josey Wales.
Late this year, CJ is expected to travel to Los Angeles with Megan Soo for production on her new music video.
