Digital content creators Matthew Power(@matthew_j_power) and Neevan Ferris(@neevan_ferris) have TikTok users tapping their toes to their dance content, one challenge at a time.
Power is a 22-year-old DJ and professional dancer who also works as a real estate agent for the past two years.
He began his TikTok account in February last year, after his girlfriend’s sister spoke about the app and the dance challenges non-stop .
“I never understood the hype, but I downloaded the app and posted my first video.
“I only had two followers, and I remember being shocked at the video getting 80 000 views,” he said.
Power has been dancing for nine years after he joined his friend at a dance lesson.
“I went with him to class and sat on the side to watch. The instructor asked me to join them and I enjoyed it,” he said.
He added: “I went home that evening and told my mom I want to start dancing, and the rest is history.”
The young dancer has more than 600 000 followers with over 8 million likes on his content.
“It is overwhelming sometimes, but most days I don’t even think about how many followers I have."
Since blowing up, he’s been spotted in public many times and always gets stopped for pictures with followers.
“I enjoy having such a big following. I love that I can post content and have people enjoy it and appreciate it,” he said.
His favourite type of content to create is dance challenges to Amapiano, a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music.
“I like pushing South African music, and the music also inspires my content.”
Power’s advice to people who want to be content creators is to put themselves out there.
“You never know who’s watching and you never know what content is going to do well.”
Neevan Ferris, a second-year psychology student, moved to Cape Town from the Northern Cape to complete her studies.
“The mind is interesting and I would like to understand why people think the way they do.
“I want to specialise in kids with special needs,” she said.
Her love for dancing was something that developed naturally over time, with no professional training.
“I was the child that danced everywhere, all the time.
“It didn’t matter where we were, as long as the music was playing, I was dancing.”
Ferris’ account was started at the beginning of the pandemic when she had a lot of free time.
Her account now has more than 1 million followers with 21.1 million likes.
Her first viral video was a skit, but her dancing videos made her account blow up.
“I never planned any of this.
“It was very overwhelming at first because I’m a very shy person,” she said.
The 20-year-old dancer said a lot of pressure comes with having amassed such a big following.
“I try to stay true to who I am and post what I want.
“The pressure is always going to be there, especially when people tell me how much I inspire them.”
The talented dancer said her content was inspired by new music.
“I enjoy amapiano music amongst many artists.”
Her advice to aspiring creators is to be themselves.
“That’s what worked for me. The right people will like you for who you are.”