Ferris does have talent

Four childhood friends came to Ferris with a passion for dance

Passionate for dance since he was an 11-year-old doing moves at home, Bryant Alexander now has a dance crew where he can really show off what he can do: The Swaggboyz.

Alexander, an architecture and sustainability junior, was first inspired to dance by artists renowned for the moves, artists like Michael Jackson, Usher and Chris Brown. Now he says Jabawackeez, first season winners of America’s Best Dance Crew, and the few fans of SwaggBoyz keep him living to perform.

“I’ve been dancing since the 8th grade, and that’s how long me, my twin and my two god-brothers have been in our group,” Alexander said.

Fellow members Brian Alexander, Milton Cribbs and Deshawn Vaughn are all Inkster High School graduates who also attend Ferris.

“We usually dance to hip-hop, but we have danced to all types of music such as pop and rock. No country yet, but maybe sometime soon,” Alexander said.

The Swaggboyz were told they should audition for “Ferris Has Talent” last year when the event was hosted by Bond Hall Council. After their experiences at the show last year, the group decided to audition again for this year’s event.

“We’ve been dancing with each other since the 8th grade. Our chemistry is already there; we came up with the routine’s songs the night before,” Alexander said.

The SwaggBoyz have performed several other times on campus at the YBBW Fashion Show and BLACK Image Awards. They’ve also performed at other colleges; taking their routine to Wayne State and Central Michigan.

Alexander says he enjoys Ferris Has Talent and wouldn’t mind performing at it again.

“Ferris Has Talent,” a free annual event that showcases a variety of solo vocalists, bands and dance groups, was hosted by NAACP Youth and College Division on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. in Williams Auditorium.