Jacksun Fryer vividly remembers the exact moment when he got turned on to hip hop dancing. He was six years old, watching America’s Best Dance Crew in his living room beside his mom, and it was love at first sight. “It just looked like so much fun!” he recalls enthusiastically. “There were head spins . . . it was awesome.”
Fun. Happiness. Vibe. Energy. These are words I hear often in my conversation with Fryer, one half of the popular dance crew called Funkanometry that won the hearts of Canadians this past spring while competing in Canada’s Got Talent (CGT). Although they narrowly ceded the $1-million top prize to singer Rebecca Strong from Saskatchewan, Funkanometry were a clear fan favourite. Their electrifying performances offered smooth synchronicity, surprise, laugh-out-loud moments, and catchy pop songs in a blend that works really well in a competition like CGT. And let’s not forget that underneath the hyper-exaggerated performing is a strong dance foundation and some exemplary choreography. These guys can dance!
Joining forces with Carlow Rush
So the credit really goes to Fryer’s mom for leaning into that six-year-old’s enthusiasm and signing him up for lessons at Vibrant Dance Studio (VIBE) in Nanaimo, where Fryer was raised and still lives. Those early classes led to competitions as his skills progressed. He eventually joined forces with Carlow Rush, a dancer from Duncan, to form Funkanometry. Under the tutelage of their mentor, AJ “MegaMan” Kambere, the duo quickly developed into a standout act.
There is an undeniable chemistry between Fryer and Rush that transcends choreography and performance. You can just feel the connection between them, which makes watching them dance together really pleasurable. That combination of talent and “star quality” had them winning competitions both here and across the border, but Fryer is quick to point out an extra piece of luck: a scout from NBC’s World of Dance saw Funkanometry perform at an L.A.-based dance battle. The scout got them on to that season of the show, and their trajectory soon rocketed skyward.
Becoming a viral sensation
Their popularity might have stopped there, contained within the hip hop dance community, but this is where their story takes a decidedly modern turn. Recognizing they had a growing fan base, the duo decided to start making videos to share on social media, and one of these (a routine performed to the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive”) became a viral sensation that soon had everyone talking about “those two dancing guys from Vancouver Island.”
It was the spring of 2021 and the world was still suffering through the pandemic, so people were glued to their digital devices and desperate for some good news to share with friends. Funkanometry quickly created additional videos that furthered their celebrity. Annie Lennox, of the ’80s pop duo Eurythmics, even commented on Funkanometry’s routine that used Eurythmics’ hit song “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”.
On the strength of this positive buzz, America’s Got Talent soon came calling, and after some memorable performances on that show, Fryer and Rush were asked to join the 2024 season of Canada’s Got Talent. The country loved them, voting them all the way to the live grand finale show.
Talent and humility
I asked Fryer if he had some perspective on that second-place finish on CGT, recognizing how disappointing it might feel to come so tantalizingly close to a million-dollar prize. The maturity and sincerity of the 21-year old’s answer surprised me: “When I look back at our (finale) performance, I am really happy. CGT were really supportive of us artistically, and I was happy to see so much support for Canadian talent of all kinds. I feel like that’s what we all need in Canada right now.”
It’s that blend of talent and humility that characterizes Fryer and Rush. They are in this for all the right reasons—because it’s fun, because it’s a community, because they truly enjoy the creativity of performing—and the authenticity of their small-town values is both refreshing and hugely endearing.
“I remember growing up and thinking nothing big happens on the Island, but the truth is, stuff does happen from here. It’s pretty cool what’s come out of the Island,” reflects Fryer.
Now it’s his turn to pay it forward. In addition to pursuing Funkanometry’s next opportunities, which he hopes will include more Canada-based performances, he is sharply focused on teaching the next generation what he knows about popping, locking, and animation. He teaches all over the Island, including at Courtenay’s Triple Heat Dance Studio. He likes coming to the Valley, having competed many times at the Sid Williams Theatre, and notes that the local kids seem really connected to the mountains. Regardless of which local town he’s in, he is committed to his roots: “I love the Island. Whenever I travel and come back, I say, ‘This is where I want to be.’”
I couldn’t have said it any better.
