COMRADES /

HALEEM RASUL

Haleem “Stringz” Rasul received a ZCCD Research Fellowship in 2015 where he spent six weeks in Zimbabwe researching dances birthed from Zimbabwe jit and “jiti.” He was housed by Jibilika Dance Trust run by Plot Mhako wher he travelled to different cities in Zimbabwe running dance workshops on Detroit Jit. This has expanded in an a growing project called the Jit Exchange.

Haleem discovered his passion for the arts at an early age. Growing up in Detroit came with its own unique challenges that served as motivators manifesting into his creative and business ventures following graduating from Western Michigan University in 2001. He established Hardcore Detroit as a brand, dance company, and fashion label. His motto hardcore, represents “success after struggle and overcoming hardships to achieve victory.” By 2010, Hardcore Detroit was voted best dance company in the Real Detroit Reader's Poll.

Many of his accolades include the prestigious Kresge Arts in Detroit fellowship (2010) and Knight Arts Challenge (2013). He has taken on the role of archiving the origins of Jit through the creation of a documentary titled, “The Jitterbugs: Pioneers of the Jit,” now streaming on Amazon Prime. Among many of the programs he curates, “The Jit vs. House” event is an annual event that offers a space that serves both as a battle of the style, and highlights the uniqueness of both movement communities. He has conducted international movement research with the Zimbabwe Cultural Center of Detroit through an ongoing dance exchange program.

He has instructed dance workshops internationally, judged and participated in dance tournaments throughout the nation gaining international respect, organized dance-related events in his hometown and produced relevant merchandising materials.