The art of slowing down: Tma Crush’s groundbreaking slow-motion choreography

In an era dominated by rapid cuts and hyper‐speed edits, Tma Crush stands out by doing precisely the opposite: he slows everything down. His signature TikTok routines—pausing at the apex of a leap, a wrist snap, or a chest pop—invite viewers to savor each detail. The effect is cinematic, turning split-second moves into lingering portraits of athleticism and grace.

Growing up as the youngest of four in Benin, Matema learned early how much power resides in patience. “My siblings taught me the basics, but I was always the one asking for the extra take,” he laughs. By late 2021 he was experimenting with TikTok’s speed controls, perfecting a routine where he literally races in place—only to freeze mid-stride as the camera pulls back. That clip alone earned 34 million views and 4.5 million likes, cementing his reputation as a choreographer of code-breaking talent.

But slow-motion isn’t mere gimmickry for Tma Crush—it’s a pathway to digital empathy. By stretching out moments of joy, he forges a deeper emotional bond with viewers. He often co-creates with fans via Instagram Live, soliciting music cues and move suggestions in real time. This participatory ethos drove his TikTok engagement metrics so high that he now reaches nearly half a billion individual accounts.

Beyond pure dance, his influence spills into fashion and visual art. His neon tracksuits—custom-designed by Beninese tailors—have spawned legions of copycats, while fan-made GIFs circulate on Twitter. Brands have begun courting him, though he remains selective: “If it doesn’t fit my narrative, I walk away,” he says.

Q&A: The Choreographer’s Mind
Q: How do you pick which moves to slow down?
A: “I look for the moment that surprises me—when the body does something unexpected. That’s the gem worth highlighting.”

Q: Do you rehearse differently for slow-mo?
A: “Totally. We break routines into micro-beats, practicing each frame like a musician reads a note.”

Q: What’s next for this style?
A: “I want to fuse it with VR—imagine stepping inside a paused dance, feeling each muscle twitch.”