You’ve seen it. Even if you don’t know the band Jungle, you’ve definitely seen that one specific clip of a guy in a white tank top walking with a groove so smooth it feels like he’s gliding on butter. It’s the "Back on 74" music video, and honestly, it’s one of the few times in recent years where a dance went viral not because of a "challenge," but because the talent was just that undeniable.
The Back on 74 dancers didn't just perform a routine; they created a cultural reset for music videos. There’s no CGI, no heavy editing, and no flashy jump cuts to hide mistakes. It’s just raw talent, a single camera move, and a vibe that feels like a 1970s soul show teleported into 2024.
Who are the dancers in the video?
People keep asking who the "main guy" is. His name is Will West, and he’s basically the heartbeat of the Volcano album visuals. But he wasn’t alone. The video features a tight-knit crew of 18 professional dancers who have been working with Jungle for years.
You’ve got Mette Linturi, the female lead who matches Will’s energy step for step. Then there are names like Stefano A. Addae, Miranda Chambers, Honey Makwana, and Kikz Katika. If you watch the full "visual album," you realize these aren't just background extras. They are characters in a loose, overarching narrative about relationships, heartbreak, and late-night shifts at a fictional TV studio.
Most of these performers aren't your typical "commercial" dancers. They come from freestyle backgrounds—hip-hop, litefeet, and street dance. That’s why it looks so effortless. It’s not "5-6-7-8" counting; it’s a conversation between their bodies and the beat.
The Shay Latukolan Magic
We have to talk about Shay Latukolan. He’s the Dutch choreographer who dreamed up these moves. Before "Back on 74," he was already making waves choreographing for Stormzy and Rosalia, but this was different.
Shay basically ignored what everyone else was doing in the industry. He didn't want the stiff, "clean" lines you see in K-pop or the over-the-top acrobatics of modern hip-hop. Instead, he pulled from:
- The Temptations and 70s soul groups.
- James Brown’s footwork.
- Soul Train line dances.
- Modern "groove" culture.
He calls his style "free-associative." It’s kinda like he’s a collage artist, taking a piece of jazz, a bit of locking, and a whole lot of soul, then blending them into something that feels nostalgic but totally fresh. Honestly, it’s the lack of "perfection" that makes it so perfect. You can see the dancers breathing. You see the tiny variations in how they catch a snare hit.
Why it broke the internet (and your TikTok feed)
The "Back on 74" dance became a phenomenon because it looked achievable but was actually incredibly difficult. Everyone tried the "walk" in their kitchen. Most of us looked like we were trying to avoid stepping on a Lego, while Will West looked like he was vibrating at a different frequency.
What’s wild is that the video was shot in one take. No cuts. If someone tripped at the three-minute mark, they had to start the whole thing over. That pressure creates a specific kind of energy you can’t fake. The camera, operated by Gary Kent, is practically a dancer itself, weaving through the group to make you feel like you're standing in the room with them.
The "Volcano" Storyline You Might Have Missed
If you’ve only seen the "Back on 74" clip, you’re missing the bigger picture. The song is actually part of a full-length film directed by J Lloyd (one half of Jungle) and Charlie Di Placido.
In the story, Will West’s character is trying to get back with Mette's character after a breakup. That viral "walk" isn't just a cool move; it’s him trying to get her attention while his friends back him up. It’s a literal mating dance. Throughout the album’s other videos, like "I’ve Been in Love" or "Dominoes," you see the same cast of Back on 74 dancers popping up in different configurations, telling a story of love and drama behind the scenes of a dance show.
How to actually learn the moves
If you're one of the thousands trying to learn this, don't just look for a tutorial. Shay Latukolan has mentioned in interviews that the secret isn't the "steps"—it’s the weight transfer.
- Stop being stiff. The dancers in "Back on 74" keep their knees soft and their weight slightly back.
- Focus on the "and" count. The movement happens between the beats.
- Use your head. Notice how they use "head isolations" to emphasize the rhythm.
- The Walk: It’s all in the hips and the subtle shoulder roll. If you’re overthinking it, you’ve already lost the groove.
Why this matters for the future of dance
Honestly, "Back on 74" proved that people are tired of over-produced content. We want to see humans doing human things exceptionally well. It brought "the groove" back to the mainstream. It reminded us that dance is supposed to feel good, not just look good for a 15-second vertical video.
The impact has been huge. Shay is now being tapped for major campaigns with brands like Gap and DeLeón, and the dancers themselves have become stars in their own right. They proved that you don't need a huge celebrity lead to make a video successful—you just need a great song and people who know how to move to it.
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Actionable Insights for Aspiring Dancers:
- Study the roots: If you love this style, look up old clips of Soul Train or Don Campbell’s early locking videos.
- Record yourself: The "Back on 74" style relies on subtle textures. You won't see if you're hitting them correctly until you watch yourself back.
- Follow the crew: Keep an eye on Will West, Mette Linturi, and Shay Latukolan on social media. They are constantly dropping "behind the scenes" rehearsal footage that shows the real work behind the effortless look.
- Practice the "bounce": Before learning the choreography, just try to find a consistent, rhythmic bounce to the beat for three minutes straight. If you can't hold the groove, the moves won't matter.