Kaffy: Biography of Nigerian record-breaking dancer; marriage, husband and children
Who is Kaffy?
Kaffy, whose full name is Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, is a renowned Nigerian choreographer, dancer, dance instructor, and fitness coach. She is adored and recognized for her dancing prowess as well as the fact that she was able to transform her passion and determination into a successful career.
The dance queen, who was born on June 30, 1980, in London, lived part of her youth in Egypt, Canada, and New York City before relocating to Lagos as a teenager. She was, however, raised in Nigeria.
She received her primary and secondary education at Chrisland School in Opebi and Coker Secondary School in Orile Iganmu.
She also attended Yaba College of Technology before enrolling at Olabisi Onabanjo University and earning a data processing diploma.
About Kaffy’s Parents.
Kaffy once revealed that her mother was on the verge of forcing her into prostitution in order to make ends meet.
While speaking to a group of young people at a program, she revealed this.
She stated that she was revealing this in order to encourage young people to learn to read between the lines in order to avoid being misled because the people they look up to may be the ones who lead them astray.
She also revealed that she had to pay her way through school because she did not attend the traditional school that all other children attend, and she had to wait for regular schoolgoers to finish so she could borrow their books and cover up.
In an April 2019 interview with Vanguard, Kaffy revealed how growing up was tough for her as, at age 11, her parents separated, forcing her and her siblings into a life of hardship.
She said; “Though I was born into wealth, I lived in poverty for a while when at age 11, my parents separated. I and my siblings lived with their mum, and life became so difficult that they found it difficult to eke out a living. We literally consumed garri for seven months consecutively. I catered for myself and my family by going to the farm. I would harvest vegetables and sell to make money.”
In an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the record-breaking dancer opened up about horrific childhood traumas, and also spoke about her parents’ marriage, which was fraught with domestic violence. She claimed that her parents fought each other with whatever weapons they could find in the house. She went on to say that when they fight, they have to start hiding knives and other dangerous objects from their parents.
“My parents were battling so much towards the end of their life for me to put that burden on them, I don’t think I needed to do that. I felt that I didn’t want to bring back old wounds, there are some things that you know that the person already knows that I’ve messed up. But are we going to let them die with that or let them feel the love that is available.
You must have messed up but you’re still daddy, You know. I wish they were still here, I know that if they took better decisions, they won’t be dead because a lot of circumstances around them that I felt was a burden and I could feel they were suffering from inside and you know the body responds to our mind.
The body listens to the mind intercellularly, so if we keep nurturing certain thoughts it will make you sick inside and there’s a level that the Doctors can’t help. If you don’t fight for life yourself by just trying to uncover and release yourself from your past mistakes. And I felt that was the battle they were having, I can’t add to that.”
Kaffy noted that she’s sharing her story for inspiration and lessons through her reality.
Her father died in September 2021.
About Kaffy’s Career.
Kaffy’s dancing career took off when she was asked to perform on stage at an event by someone who had seen her when she went to the National Stadium on weekends to practice dancing.
She founded the Imagneto Dance Company, and in 2006 she went on to break the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party” after dancing for 55 hours and 40 minutes.
She has also served as a judge on reality shows like Maltina Dance All and Dance With Peter.
Kaffy, who is known for her high-intensity dance moves, has also appeared in award-winning music videos for Nigerian artists such as Seyi Shay, D’Banj, Tiwa Savage, and P-Square.
Olamide’s video for “Science Student,” shot by Unlimited LA, had her as the creative director. She has been widely credited as Nigeria’s foremost dancer and choreographer for music videos and all.
About Kaffy’s Marriage.
Kafayat Shafau, also known as Kaffy, married her baby daddy, Joseph Ameh, commonly known as Pappi J by some of his friends, on Saturday, June 2, 2012, in Lagos. The event took place at the Bespoke event centre in Lekki, Lagos.
After a brief engagement ceremony in the morning, the wedding ceremony began. During the marriage engagement ceremony, the couple was photographed with their baby.
A white wedding in which they exchanged marital vows followed. The couple was overjoyed as they legally tied the knot.
Before their wedding, Kaffy and Joe had a baby boy, who was born in December 2011. The couple named him Joseph Sean Oluwatosin Kamar.
Their union has resulted in the birth of two children.
About Kaffy’s Divorce
Kaffy announced her separation from Joseph Ameh on January 11, 2022, ending their 10 years union. She took to Instagram to talk about her marriage and why they decided to divorce.
In an Instagram video, the 41-year-old dancer, said, “I have always wanted to see my ex be the best version of himself and even breaking up the marriage was also to see that we both grew into what we really are supposed to be.
“Marriage is supposed to be an alignment of destinies leading us to where God wants us to go, and mine did not work out that way.
“Rather than viewing someone as a problem, consider yourself to be that person’s problem.” Being an enabler of someone’s inability to do what they want..
Her husband allegedly cheated on her with both her best friends and strangers, according to the entertainer. Kaffy claimed that going celibate helped her heal from his infidelity betrayal.
Lessons from Kaffy’s Divorce
Kaffy urged everyone to understand that life isn’t just about reacting to the world and everything going on inside it, as she advised her supporters and revealed lessons she learned from the marriage.
“So, there was a lot to learn, and there is still a lot more to learn. I want to express that and motivate you to understand that life is not all about reaction to the world; it is not about reacting to what want you to say or what the world wants to hear; what the world wants you to be or what the world wants you to wear; what the world wants you to look like or get married,” she said.
About Kaffy’s Ex-husband; Joseph Ameh.
Papii J, whose real name is Joseph Ameh, was born on May 23, 1988 in Lagos, Nigeria, and is the ex-husband of popular dancer Kaffi. He is signed to Classic Records, which is owned by Peter Okonye of P-square aka Mr P.
P-square’s 14-man music band includes Joseph Ameh. He’s also a music producer, with credits including Waje’s ‘I wish,’ Psquare’s monster hit ‘Alingo,’ High (Shaydee) Soundtrack (May D), and a slew of others, as well as live drum appearances with both local and international acts.
He has release a new single “4get ur level” under his new record label P Classic which feature record owner Mr P and Selebobo. After welcoming their first child in December 2011, he and Kaffy married in June 2012. In 2014, they welcomed their second child, a girl.
Joseph Ameh Reaction to Kaffy’s Allegations
Joseph Ameh, the ex-husband of Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau aka Kaffy, spoke out about the breakdown of their ten-year marriage.
In a lengthy Instagram post addressed to his former wife, the father-of-two clarified some allegations leveled against him.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Joseph denied sleeping with Kaffy’s best friends. He also denied claims that he was abusive to her during their marriage.
He asked Kaffy to move on, just as he has tried to do since their marriage ended officially a year ago.
“I will make this as brief as possible. I made many silly mistakes in my life and in my marriage. I take full responsibility for all my foolishness with absolutely no excuses.
However, I never slept with your best friend or close pals- neither have I ever been violent towards you, contrary to the narratives flying around about me.
Anyway, It has been a year since the marriage officially ended. I’ve tried to move on and I do advise you do the same too.
I wish all the very best to both of us as we move on maturely. The end of our marriage should not be the end of our lives. This is the first and last time I will speak on this subject.”
About Kaffy’s Children
Kaffy and Jo 10 years union was blessed with 2 adorable kids; a boy (Joseph Sean Oluwatosin Kamar) and a girl (Eliana Ameh).
Sean was born in 2011 whereas Eliana was born in 2014.
In 2021, Kaffy described how her children’s messages helped her heal from trauma.
The 41-year-old used her verified Instagram page to thank her “thoughtful kids” for sending her emotional messages when she was going through a difficult time.
The record-breaking dancer survived a life-threatening illness in 2021.
