

Kokoroko Collective is a London based octet led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, playing a fusion of Jazz and Afrobeat. Kokoroko performed a cover of Fela Kuti’s iconic song Colonial Mentality. Continue reading




Michael Che explains how he and his friends came up with nicknames and breaks down why love and marriage are overrated. Continue reading


Douglas Jack Agu better known by his stage name Runtown, is an Afrobeat artist and producer. His music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B and reggae. Continue reading
To culminate the three days of Rosendal Garden Party you needed an artist that goes above and beyond and in 2024 this artist was no other than Grace Jones. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge

Happy Birthday to one of the dance world’s icons Debbie Allen. We had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Allen about a wide range of her life experiences from segregated dance classes in her native Texas, to heartless rejection and finally coming into her own in New York City. We pay tribute to a living dance legend and activist born on January 16th.- Walter Rutledge

In 2015 O&A NYC Editor-in-Chief Walter Rutledge interviewed Debbie Allen at the Faison Firehouse Theater for Dance Noir Magazine (DNM). The print article would discuss her relationship with Katherine Dunham. The video was produced as visual notes for the upcoming Dunham article. When the magazine suspended publication, out of respect for DNM Founder/Editor-in-Chief Carol Lloyd, we held the material with hopes of eventually printing the article for DNM. After eight years Ms. Allen’s words remain relevant, inspiring and informative and should be shared. We call this first installment Empathy. Continue reading


Aaliyah Dana Haughton, a talented R&B artist and actress, was born on January 16,1979 in Brooklyn,NewYork. From a young age , Aaliyah was passionate about music, beginning voice lessons shortly after she learned to speak. Continue reading

Directors Charlie Di Placido and J.Lloyd and choreographer Shay Latukolan bring you Keep Me Satisfied a fun music and dance video.
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