Let's Go Back - Research

Shay Latukolan 

Shay Latukolan is a Dutch choreographer, dancer, and director renowned for his dynamic and theatrical movement style. Shay was born in 1992, in Zwolle, Netherlands, and raised in a musical Moluccan family, so his passion for dance was ignited early, leading him to pursue breakdancing at 13. By 16, he relocated to Amsterdam to further his dance ambitions . Since then Shay’s choreography gained international acclaim, firstly with rapper Stormzy’s ' Vossi Bop' music video, marking his breakthrough in the industry. He has since collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rosalía, Tinashe, and BTS’s Jung Kook. In 2023, his choreography for Jungle’s “Back on 74” went viral, earning him the “Best Choreography in a Video” award at the UK Music Video Awards  . Yet beyond these music videos, Shay has choreographed for major campaigns for brands like Nike, Adidas, Samsung, and Pepsi. 

His choreographing style for music videos such as Lets go Back is distinctive and cinematic, blending raw energy, precise musicality, and storytelling through movement. Shay draws heavily from film directors like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese, which influences the staged, almost narrative-driven feel of his choreography. His videos often feel like short films where every move serves the story and his style emphasizes natural, fluid, and grounded motion. Even highly technical sequences look effortless and emotionally driven—almost like the dancer is responding in real-time to the music rather than just executing steps.

Especially in his 'Jungle' projects, his choreography uses organized crowd movement, creating a sense of live energy and unpredictability while still maintaining visual harmony.Dancers often move in and out of the frame, giving a dynamic, immersive feel. An aspect I love about Shay's work is that he doesn’t rely on overly complex steps or tricks his impact comes from sharp musical timing, attitude, and contrast. There’s often a strong groove and funk base, even when the movements are subtle. This really draws me to his style, and resonates in a way the allows me to bring element of this to my own performance. The choreography emphasizes natural, fluid movements that resonate with the song’s rhythm. Dancers exhibit a relaxed yet purposeful energy, making the performance feel spontaneous and authentic. His background in film is evident. The choreography is designed to interact seamlessly  with the camera’s movements, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the dance.

Diving into Shay as an artist has inspired me in every aspect of this piece. Through listening to the music and using it to create cinematic narrative as he does, whilst dancing I can feel the essence of how he utilised that song to create that visual world. His abstract quirkiness makes aspects of the routine feel less like dancing and more like fluid characterful movements and bodily reactions to the song and the space. I can clearly pinpoint areas of the choregraphy, staging and style that are inspired by his work, allowing me to constantly be bringing elements of hbis works into my performance, and understand the piece and the atmosphere we are trying to create in depth. 

The Let's Go Back Music Video

Shay Latukolan’s choreography for Jungle’s “Let’s Go Back” music video exemplifies his signature style—melding cinematic storytelling with expressive, organic movement. Released in September 2024, the video is part of Jungle’s Volcano visual album, with Latukolan serving as both choreographer and director. The piece unfolds in a single continuous take, immersing viewers in a dynamic performance that blurs the lines between dance and narrative film.

Set within a vast, warehouse-like space with stacked cardboard boxes, the video opens with a solitary dancer initiating a rhythmic groove. As the camera glides seamlessly through the environment, additional dancers join, culminating in a vibrant ensemble performance. The choreography is meticulously synchronized with the camera’s movements, creating an immersive experience that feels both spontaneous and orchestrated. Latukolan’s choreography is deeply influenced by cinematic techniques. The dancers’ movements are not merely synchronized steps but are imbued with character and emotion, contributing to a narrative arc that unfolds throughout the video.

The dance sequences emphasize fluidity and natural motion, eschewing rigid formations in favor of more expressive, free-flowing movements. This approach lends an authentic, human quality to the performance, making it resonate on a visceral level. The choreography leverages the collective energy of the ensemble, with dancers interacting in ways that highlight both individual expression and group cohesion. This dynamic interplay adds depth and complexity to the visual narrative. Becuase as more dancers enter, the choreography builds in intensity, culminating in a powerful group performance that fills the space with kinetic energy.The performance concludes with a unison sequence that brings the ensemble together, symbolizing unity and collective expression.

“Let’s Go Back” has garnered significant attention for its innovative choreography and cinematic presentation. The video has inspired numerous dance recreations and tutorials, particularly on TikTok, where users perform segments of the routine. This participation has amplified the video’s reach and solidified its status as a standout piece in dance media.

Watching how these iconic grooves and combos have taken over the presence of dance and music on social media, allows me to understand its impact and hown people are drawn to the vibe Shay Latukolan creates with these moves and visuals