Dancer Tippa Dies Following Battle With Cancer

Veteran dancer Tippa has died following a battle with cancer.

Dancehall choreographer Fredrick “Tippa” Moncrieffe died following at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old choreographer was considered by many as a stalwart in the Dancehall scene, contributing for decades.

According to his long time friend and college Latonya Style, his death came as a shock as he did not disclose his illness.

“He was admitted on Saturday… I never expected him to die. He never mentioned he had cancer,” Style told the Jamaica Observer.

“It’s a big loss. He had so many big plans,” Style said.

The two dancers were a part of a dance outfit called Squad One.

“We performed at Sting and [Reggae] Sumfest back in the day. And what I recall of him was that he had lots of positivity, a mentor and motivator,” she said.

Fellow dance icon Orville Hall, principal of Dance Xpressions, called Tippa’s death a “painful” one.

“I knew him from the 90s. And because mi in and out of the island, mi never used to see him often, but we woulda link up at World Reggae Dance Competition. His death is a painful loss and it hit hard like a ton of bricks,” he told Observer.

Fans will best remember the dancer for his regular appearances on TVJ’s entertainment program, Intense. He also served as a tutor at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.