Founder, Dancehall Academy
Veteran performer, cultural practitioner. Leading representative of Jamaican Dancehall in Australia.
Scroll to step through his journey — from Spanish Town, Jamaica to building Dancehall culture across Australia. ↓
Origin
Widely recognised as a veteran performer and a leading representative of authentic Jamaican Dancehall culture in Australia, Chuby (Desmond Malcolm) is a dancer, choreographer and educator from Spanish Town, Jamaica, now based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia.
Lineage
Chuby's style is influenced by foundational figures in Dancehall, including Gerald "Bogle" Levy. He is credited with developing a number of Dancehall party steps, including "Move a Foot", "Tek Piece a It", "Summer Kick", and "Air Flow".
World Stage
Chuby is a globally established performer and a cultural practitioner. His film and music video projects include Intent 2 and King of the Dancehall (directed by Nick Cannon), and he has featured for artists such as Vybz Kartel, Busta Rhymes, Stylo G and Elephant Man.
Naarm / Melbourne
Since relocating to Australia in the late 2010s, Chuby has played a central role in representing Jamaican Dancehall. He has performed at MONA FOMA, St Kilda Festival, and Moomba, supported international touring artists, and served as a judge for national Dancehall competitions.
Education
Chuby's work extends beyond performance into education and cultural transmission. Through long-standing engagements with institutions such as Fitzroy Community School, he translates Dancehall from its street origins into structured learning environments.
Philosophy
Chuby's practice includes inclusive, community-based work — including Dancehall programs aligned with neurodivergent and disability contexts — tailoring workshops to build coordination, expression and social connection.
Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.