The Twilight Players

The Twilight Players: A Legendary Dance Trio Redefining Retro Cool

Sinbad Phgura, Ammo Too Sweet, and Jimi The Quiff form the iconic underground OG dance group, The Twilight Players.

Slick, sharp, and dynamic, this powerhouse trio captivates audiences with their distinctive style, combining showmanship with a groovy soundtrack of Latin jazz, ska, Indian, and electro-funk. Their aesthetic draws from the glitz of 1950s Havana, the drama of classic 1960s Indian cinema, and the soul-driven Americana of the 1970s. The result? A quintessential slice of British cool that fuses retro vibes with 21st-century energy.

A Global Journey of Dance and Style

The Twilight Players have wowed audiences worldwide, gracing stages from Glastonbury to Mumbai, Los Angeles to Casablanca, and many places in between. Along the way, they’ve crossed paths with a host of colorful characters, making every performance an unforgettable adventure.

With over 25 years of experience, the brothers have left their mark across music videos, commercials, films, and live shows. What sets them apart is their British-Indian heritage and a dance lineage tracing back to the birthplace of these styles in California. Immersing themselves in the craft with its originators, they refined their skills and shared this art with global audiences, making waves in popular culture across East and West.

Reviving Dance Culture in the UK

In the mid-to-late 1990s, The Twilight Players played a pivotal role in reviving West Coast dance styles in the UK, breathing new life into the culture after the "Breakdance" era faded post-1985. They were key players in London’s hip-hop resurgence, performing at major events like Scratch Scala, Bronx to Brixton, and the UK BBOY Championships, where they opened for three consecutive years.

In 2004, the trio was honored with the "UK OGs for Life" award at the prestigious Choreographers’ Ball. Shortly after, they pivoted from their hip-hop roots to embrace the rock and pop scene, performing at legendary festivals such as Glastonbury, Lovebox, Bestival, and The Secret Garden Party. Their two-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival further cemented their reputation.

Their distinctive style caught the attention of major artists, leading to appearances in top-charting music videos for Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Cher, Mis-Teeq, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Notably, their feature in Murder on the Dancefloor resurfaced in pop culture when the song went viral following its inclusion in the Amazon Prime hit Saltburn (2024). Garnering over 500 million streams, the track re-entered the charts two decades after its original release.

Impact on Indian Cinema and Dance Culture

The Twilight Players enjoy a devoted following in India, where they introduced Open Hand Popping, Boogaloo, and Locking to a new audience. Featured in a Channel V documentary and appearances on VH1 and MTV Select, they showcased the vibrancy of 1970s funk dance styles.

Their influence extended to Indian cinema through their collaboration with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the cult classic Dev.D. Their unforgettable choreography in hit songs like Pardesi and Saali Khushi earned a place in Indian cinematic history and inspired new generations of dancers. Years earlier, they made a splash with their cameo in Dubai-based Bhangra artist Sukhbir’s Ishq Tera Tadpave, a 1998 anthem still beloved at weddings and parties today.

The trio’s contributions to Indian dance extended to workshops at prestigious institutions like Whistling Woods International in Mumbai and Aaft Marwah Studio in Delhi, where they shared their expertise with eager students. Their performances for high-profile brands like Blackberrys’ Sharp Nights with Farhan Akhtar and exclusive events for Forbes India further solidified their legacy in the country.

A Timeless Legacy

From underground dance scenes to global stages, The Twilight Players remain a well-guarded secret in urban dance history. With their retro-inspired style and dedication to keeping forgotten dance forms alive, their legacy continues to resonate, inspiring a new generation of performers worldwide.