The Azonto Dance

Azonto tutorial animation for Azonto Dance fans

The dance was first called “Apaa”(which means work) by the people of Bukom and its environs, this was to represent the movements like washing, driving, boxing etc that was associated with dance. However,the term ‘azonto’ which was popularly used among senior high school students to refer to a life later became accepted by the larger population as the name for the dance. The dance now known as Azonto was later observed in an evolved form among ‘street communities’ in Tarkwa, Abossey Okai, certain suburbs of Accra (namely Korle-Gonno, La and Chorkor), in pubs, night clubs, dance battles with friends and passers-by. Perhaps because of its apparent use of strength and vigor, and preference of the then popular and more sophisticated “crip walk” and “break dance” known in Ghana as ‘cracking’ in Senior High Schools, the dance was seen as being less refined than alternate styles.

A popular and award winning choreographer vanity chaser invented the newest version of Azonto dance called “The Azonto Nkoso”. This version of Azonto is popular amongst the Nima people, which is highly populated by the Muslim community. The Azonto Nkoso is different from the Azonto in that it uses a push and pull movement.

Azonto – Fuse ODG Feat. Tiffany (OFFICIAL)

The dance was made very popular by Ghanaian football star Asamoah Gyan in his goal celebrations for club and country. Azonto has been further commercialized with its inclusion in music lyrics and music video clips. Examples of such music include African Girls by Castro, U Go Kill Me by Sarkodie, Yenko Nkoaa by Eduwoji, Keche’s Sorkode, Azonto by Fuse ODG which featured Tiffany, and more recently Obuu Mo by EL,which specifically mentions the Azonto style of dance and features Azonto in the video clip.

We appreciate your time spent on this website. Kindly like us on Facebook All Things Ghana and also follow us on Twitter @ATGhana thank you.