Meet Kartier Conway: The Harlem Prodigy Lighting Up the Stage with Funky Tennis Shoe Tap Dancing and Multifaceted Talents! 

Kartier Conway, "The Harlem Prodigy," is setting the stage ablaze with his multifaceted talents. Hailed as the tap-dancing dynamo and a modern-day inspiration, he's often called the "Hip Hop Sammy Davis Jr." This Apollo legend redefines performance art with every move! 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR   

Born and raised in the vibrant heart of Harlem, NY, Kartier Conway is a true renaissance man of the performing arts. With a microphone in one hand and his custom tap shoes in the other, Kartier has dazzled audiences around the globe with his multifaceted talent as a singer, actor, and choreographer. 

Kartier's journey began at the prestigious "Ruth Williams Dance Company," where he immersed himself in a variety of dance styles. His exceptional tap abilities and charismatic performances have opened doors to some of the most distinguished stages and audiences. From performing for Savion Glover, Bill Clinton, and Reverend Jesse Jackson, to sharing the spotlight with legends like Sandman Sims, Gregory Hines, Meli'sa Morgan, Ginuwine, Carl Thomas, Usher, and Chris Brown, Kartier’s career is a testament to his extraordinary skill and dedication. 

A seven-time winner at the World-Famous Apollo Theater, Kartier also made history as the youngest "youth Sandman" ever. His profound impact on the performing arts extends beyond the stage; he is passionately committed to mentoring the next generation, ensuring that his rich legacy of talent and inspiration continues to thrive. 

Kartier Conway is not just a performer; he is a pioneer of our time, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of hip hop and tap dance while nurturing the talents of tomorrow's stars. 

Hi Kartier, how is your day going? It's going great. I can't complain. 

Awesome. First and foremost, I want to say it is definitely an honor to be able to interview you and speak with you about your career and what you do. Thank you. 

You're welcome. I was extremely impressed by your talent. That was actually the first time that I'd seen or heard about you, so I told Meli'sa that I wanted to interview you. Not only are you extremely multi-talented, but your personality is also award-winning. I'm a big-hearted person, so I love big, beautiful hearts. That's a soft spot for me. So, let's get into it. Absolutely, the same here.  

That's good to hear, Kartier. Let's talk about your origins. Please first tell me your current location and place of birth. Yes, I'm from New York. I am staying in Harlem. My family is from Saint Thomas, the Virgin Islands. I grew up in Harlem from an early age. 

The Virgin Islands? That's awesome! Yes, my whole family is from Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands. 

Yes. I can pick up a little accent when you speak. Yes. 

So, Kartier, how did growing up in Harlem influence your passion for dance and the arts? Growing up in Harlem, it's a Mecca of talent, a legendary place where different styles of dance and cultural movements started. My family was always there. From my mom to my grandmother to my aunts and cousins, they were all there. They started at a dance studio called Ruth Williams. At the age of five, my grandmother saw talent in me and enrolled me in the same dance school where the rest of my family grew up. And the rest is legendary.  

Once I learned different styles of dance, tap became my main focus. I wanted to learn its history, where it originated, and about the greats who came before me, like Sammy Davis Jr., the Nicholas Brothers, and Jimmy Slyde. I was honored to meet the original Sandman from the Apollo. 

That’s great, Kartier! Thank you. So doing that and being influenced by Gregory Hines and Savion Glover really solidified my desire to pursue tap dancing. So, for the rest of my life, I've continued their legacy. 

Awesome. So, what was your experience training at the Ruth Williams Dance Company, and how do you feel that shaped your career? Oh man, my experience was that dancing was predominantly female-centric at that time. 

Being one of the few out of about five males at the school with over 300 kids really gave me a chance to shine. I credit my breakthrough to one of my dance instructors, Miss Cynthia. She gave me a solo in "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," which originated from Savion Glover's Broadway play. That solo helped me stand out and make a name for myself among the other dancers. So, I’m forever grateful to her for giving me a lead role and not allowing me to just stand in the back. I’m thankful for that.   

That is amazing. God is definitely with you, and He opens doors that no man can close, you know? Absolutely. 

So, Kartier, how did you earn your nickname "Sammy Davis Jr. of Hip Hop," and what does that mean to you? Oh man, being from Harlem and mixing tap with hip-hop was groundbreaking at the time. I was one of the first to do it. 

Most people only saw tap performed in the traditional way, but I blended it with hip hop music at the Apollo. That's when the neighborhood and industry started calling me the "Sammy Davis Jr. of Hip Hop," and I've embraced that name ever since. 

Yeah, you're like the Sammy Davis of hip-hop. Absolutely, especially being compared to Sammy Davis because he did so many things—dancing, singing, playing the drums, acting, and even activism. Just like him, I do a lot of activism work and work with kids in my community, so it's an honor to be in the same conversation as him.  

Yes, absolutely. What was it like performing for influential figures such as Savion Glover, Bill Clinton, and Reverend Jesse Jackson? Can you share any memorable moments from those experiences? It was an honor, especially performing with the original Sandman. That was one of the highlights of my life when I was around 13. He called me up backstage at a festival. We traded off taps, and he encouraged me to keep going. That moment stuck with me. Later on, I performed for Savion Glover, Bill Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others. 

What great experiences, Kartier! Now, you've won at the Apollo seven times. How did that feel to achieve that, and what impact do you think it had on your career? My first audition took place at the Apollo when I was 14. My mother took me. They made me compete against adults. Regrettably, it didn't go well. I didn't place, and I was heartbroken. Then, at 15, I lost my mother. I found her deceased in the house, and that affected me deeply. 

Despite facing hardship, I persevered and auditioned again on my own without telling anyone in my family. I continued to work hard and didn't stop believing in myself. My perseverance paid off, as I won three times on Amateur Night, which led to a live television opportunity. Each performance was different, featuring improvised routines that kept everyone guessing. Winning back-to-back at the Apollo was a turning point in my career. It showed me that hard work and dedication could lead to success, even in the face of challenges. 

Definitely! Without a doubt! Do you feel your passion for tapping helps you cope with the loss of your mom, fueling your desire to make her proud? And do you sense that you pour all your emotions into this, not just for yourself but also to honor your mom in some way, proving to her that you're doing something remarkable that would make her proud? Absolutely. That was my whole purpose: to make her proud because I knew she didn't want me to stop or give up. So, I said, you know what? I'm going to accomplish my dream, which was to be on Apollo and win. Little did they know the incredible journey that awaited me and how it paved the way for countless opportunities. Not only did it unlock numerous doors for me but being on television also brought forth a multitude of exciting prospects.  

Like meeting comedian Monique from "The Parkers." She was the host at the time and heard my life story from a lady who had a store right next door. Monique stopped at the store before she went to host the show, and the lady was like, "Is this kid on your show today? He's so talented and has been through so much. Just look out for him and help him because he really needs the help." Monique remembered that lady telling her that story. 

Wow, that's awesome, Kartier! Yes. In my last show, while I was waiting in the green room, she came to get me. She had to interrupt what she was doing to come and find me, and I didn't understand what was happening. They told me, "Someone wants to talk to you." So, I thought, OK, and they took me to her room. She said, "I've heard about your life story, and I've seen the work you've been doing. I want to help you in any way I can." 

I was like, wow, I would truly appreciate that! But, you know, sometimes in this industry, people tell you things and don't follow through.   

Nevertheless, I was like, OK, it sounds good, but I didn't know how sincere she was. Then, honestly, like two weeks after Apollo was over, she flew me out to LA. 

Wow. Monique is a woman of her word. I like that! Yes, a true woman of her word. She flew me out to LA and allowed me to stay with her, do different shows, and warm up the crowd for "The Parkers." She even featured me on "The Parkers." She really gave me a break. She took me under her wing as her own son, you know? I truly appreciate that lady. To this day, we talk every day. She has a beautiful heart.  

Indeed, what a beautiful heart. Then people put you in positions like that, you have to understand what your purpose is. You can't make them look bad. 

I know that's right! Kartier, I'm so proud of you! Thank you. You know Gina, I truly appreciate her. She still gives me advice. 

Absolutely. To this day, when I feel discouraged about certain things, she's like, "Kartier, you got it. There's no need to stop anything. You got it! You've come a long way and never stopped in the process. As you go through life, remember that nothing can stop you. Use this as motivation to keep moving forward. Everything that could possibly happen to me has happened, and I never gave up. 

You never gave up, wow! I Never gave up. 

Wow, what a beautiful story. I'm just loving this. I'm really enjoying this story. You've shared the stage with Sandman Sims, Gregory Hines, and Chris Brown. Can you describe some of the highlights of these collaborations? Yes, absolutely. For me, opening for those different artists put a stamp on me. It told me this is where I belong. Regardless of the fact that we are all in different fields—me, Usher, and Chris Brown—I felt it was my time to shine, and I didn't care who was on the bill. I was going to do what I had to do.   

Chris Brown and I are in the same age bracket; Usher is older. But we still kind of did the same thing. I was honored to be on that bill and to shine as much as they did. So, it was a great opportunity. 

Yes, that's awesome. How do you see the legacy of tap-dancing evolving, and what role do you hope to play in that in the future? A lot of people feel like tap dancing has died, but I don't believe that. I just feel it's not getting the recognition it deserves because it's a lost art, something you don't see every day. Therefore, it's my responsibility to continue educating young people and letting them know it's acceptable to be different, regardless of their background. If you study “the art,” you're supposed to make it your own. That's what it's for. I never wanted to look like someone else. I wanted to study them and pick up the things they contributed to the tap industry, but I also wanted to make it my own. 

Absolutely. You just spoke about the children you are dedicated to teaching. What motivates you to teach, and what do you hope your students take away from your lessons? What motivated me to teach was not having teachers who looked like me growing up. My teachers were older and not relatable to the youth. I believe that dressing and speaking like them helps them feel more comfortable opening up and learning from me. Being a strong male from their neighborhood, they see me as cool and relatable. I wanted to change the perception that dancing makes you soft or different. I feel it's my job to continue teaching, no matter how successful I become. 

That's beautiful. You're also musical? I also do music, yes.  

So, you sing, act, and choreograph. How do you balance all these different aspects of your career and personal life? For me, it's like you have to nurture everything equally. If you don't, something will be lacking. I keep all my skills polished and ready for anything. When you come to a Kartier show, you get singing, tap dancing, hip-hop choreography—everything. That makes my show different from the rest because you don't see it that often. 

That's incredible! And it's truly one-of-a-kind. I constantly encourage people to fully embrace their uniqueness, as it is a remarkable gift. Correct. That's true. I like to think deeply.  

Absolutely, Kartier! Embrace your uniqueness and soar high like an eagle. It's truly magnificent! Absolutely. 

Harnessing the talent bestowed upon you by God and transforming it into something extraordinary is truly a blessing. While you admire the skills of others and draw inspiration from them, it is vital to infuse your own unique personality and creativity into your work. Absolutely. 

So, do you have any upcoming shows? Yes, I have a lot of shows coming up. I plan to have my own show with a few artists opening for me. I plan to do something at SOB's, a legendary place in New York. 

Awesome. In New York. And then you'll be taking that show to the UK? Yes, absolutely. 

Great. What are some of your long-term goals in your career and personal life? One of my long-term goals, which I'm trying to make present, is to open a dance school for the youth in Harlem. They need an outlet to learn and keep it going. Many community centers are closing due to budget cuts, and kids get in trouble because they don't have something to do. I feel it's my job to keep them off the streets, just like "Ruth Williams" did for me.  

What a beautiful goal. Kartier, if you could have a dance battle with any historical figure, who would it be? Michael Jackson. I always wanted to grace the stage with him. I looked up to him growing up. His effortless movement inspired me to get into dance. 

That's awesome. Michael Jackson did it all. Yes, he did. 

Ah, let's talk about your marvelous "tapping tennis shoes"! I'm curious: how did this brilliant concept come to life? And more importantly, do you believe you could secure some fantastic endorsements to make tap dance the epitome of coolness for the younger generation? I'm happy you asked. I've been doing this since high school, trying to innovate and make it look "cool" for kids like me. I never wanted to wear regular tap shoes. I went to a shoe store on 50th St. and asked if they could put taps on my sneakers. From then on, I never wore regular tap shoes again. Others started doing it, too, but they didn't give me credit. 

You should patent it and get a trademark. Since the company added taps to my sneakers, their brand has become a part of my footwear. However, my ultimate ambition has been to design my very own tap sneakers or collaborate with a renowned tennis shoe company to craft exceptional tap shoes.  

Starting your school and becoming a nonprofit organization can help. You could get funding for shoes and taps, then contact a tennis shoe company for sponsorship, showing them your bio and accomplishments. Absolutely. I would love to see that, too. That's definitely something I'd be interested in. 

So Kartier, can you share a funny or embarrassing moment that happened on stage and how you recovered from it? Oh man, I was performing at Lincoln Center, which is a legendary place. Lincoln Center was one of the first big stages I performed on. I was around 85. That's where Williams held her recitals every year, and it held over 5,000 people every single year, which was phenomenal. One year, I had a solo, and my tap came off in the middle of the performance. So, the whole time, I was tapping with one shoe, but the show kept going. 

Oh no! Yes, it happens. But the people after the show said it was incredible that I didn't stop and just kept going as if nothing happened. I said, "Man, listen, the show goes on. You have to give the people their money's worth." 

That's awesome. You have to be a professional, right? Absolutely. I was always taught from an early age that no matter what happens during your performance, you don't stop. And that's what I teach my kids to this day. If you fall, you get up and keep going. You improvise until you catch up. You just keep going. 

Exactly. So, if you had to create a signature dance move that involves everyday activities, what would it be called? Over the Top. It would be called Over the Top because we all go through different things, and we have to overcome them. I would actually call it Motivation. It's a quote I created, and I tell my kids: "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it." Since I was 16 or 17, I've always believed that.  

When I see kids now, around 20 or 21, they remember that saying. They say, "Carter, you always taught us anything is possible." It's amazing how that really stuck with them, and they use it to this day. I truly believe things like that really help our generation and our kids to stay positive and keep going. 

Absolutely. That's beautiful. If I didn't believe anything was possible, I would never have learned how to play the bass.  Wow, that's beautiful. Did you teach yourself how to play bass?  

Yes, I did, and I love it. That's amazing.  

Thank you, Kartier! So, if you could create a mixtape to get people hyped for one of your performances, what are the three absolute must-have songs? Oh man, it would be called Songs "That I Like to Tap To." It would include "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar, "Tell Me Something Good" by Chaka Khan, and "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" by Busta Rhymes. 

Great choices! If you could star in a movie where you play a superhero with tap dance powers, what would your superhero name be, and what would be your superpower? I would want to be a version of Black Panther. When he makes a dance move, he is transported to a whole new place. Like, if he slides somewhere, he would be in another world. Before he beats you up, he'd tap dance. 

That's cool! And who would people most mistake you for, celebrity-wise? I get a couple of different people. I get Carl Thomas, Donnell Jones, and Fabulous. It's definitely one of the few, for sure. 

Awesome. Could you tell people how to get a hold of you to see where you're performing and what you're doing? Yes, you can check me out on Instagram at _karti3r/.  

Could you give some last words of wisdom to anyone coming up in the tap dancing industry? I would honestly say it's never too late to learn and create something you believe in. No matter how old you are or what you go through in life, don't let it discourage you. Let it fuel you to keep going. I've gone through a lot of different challenges in my life, and I use that to keep going. Find your craft, make it your own, and let it shine. 

Wow, this is truly incredible! It has been an absolute delight and privilege to have a conversation with such an extraordinary dancer and individual like yourself, Kartier. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I sincerely hope that God continues to shower His blessings upon the incredible work you do, always aligning it with His divine plan for your life. May He also protect and guide you and your beautiful family through these uncertain times. Furthermore, I pray that the Lord surrounds you with genuine, loving, and supportive individuals who truly care about your well-being and who will always keep their promises to you. Lastly, I cannot express enough how immensely proud I am of all your accomplishments, and I am eagerly anticipating the wonderful things that lie ahead in your life. Thank you. I truly appreciate that. I just want to mention an organization I'm involved with called Guns Down, Life Up, based in the Bronx. We've been working since 2012, going to different schools to stress the importance of stopping violence and helping one another. My son was affected by gun violence about five years ago, but thank God he survived. His name is Ocean Conway, and he's a walking miracle. 

I'm so sorry to hear that your family had to go through such a traumatic experience, but I'm incredibly grateful and relieved to know that Ocean survived. It's clear that he's a remarkable and resilient young man, and I can't even imagine the strength it took for both him and your family to navigate through that difficult time. 

Ocean truly is a walking miracle, and his story is a powerful testament to hope and perseverance. God has truly blessed him, and his presence is a beautiful reminder of the grace and strength that can emerge from the darkest moments. Thank you for sharing that, Kartier! You’re awesome! Thank you so much. I truly appreciate that.  

God bless you and thank you again. You, too, thank you. 

End Of Interview

 https://www.instagram.com/_karti3r/