Music

In this video Zaouli dance traditions are blended seamlessly with futuristic AI animation. Inspired by the rhythmic movements of West African rituals, this unique video takes you on an otherworldly journey where culture, music, and technology unite in an unforgettable dance performance. Continue reading

Control is a single by R&B artist Tank, through his R&B Money Label in partnership with BMG. Continue reading

Alvin Ailey revolutionized the world of dance by honoring the African American experience, but his journey was not without its struggles. O&A NYC Magazine honors the memory of one of dance’s most prolific pioneers on the anniversary of his 95th birthday. Continue reading

Richard Smallwood wrote the gospel classic Total Praise during a period of immense personal trial while caring for his mother, who had dementia, and a close friend battling cancer. Continue reading

Soldiers in the Army, often performed by Rev. James Cleveland with choirs like The Caravans, is a powerful, classic gospel anthem about spiritual perseverance, It resonates deeply with listeners for its message of faith and divine struggle, often evoking nostalgia for traditional church experiences and celebrating figures like Inez Andrews… Continue reading

Laura Bell Bundy‘s latest video entitled You Can’t Pray The Gay Away bring a common sense solution to an age old question. Just ask either senator from South Carolina. Continue reading

Bounce is a collaborative Afrobeats single by Nigerian artists Bella Shmurda and Seyi Vibez, released as part of Bella Shmurda’s 2026 album, Sanity. Continue reading

Rise Like a Phoenix, performed by Conchita Wurst representing Austria, was the winning song of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The performance is notable for its James Bond-inspired orchestration and Wurst’s iconic “bearded lady” stage persona. Continue reading

Music icon Diana Ross headlined Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026, performing a career-spanning medley of hits in Times Square just before the ball drop to welcome 2026. Continue reading

What better way to start our New Year Celebration then with Vanessa Williams rendition of Happy Days Are Here Again.  Continue reading

Diana Ross headlined the 2026 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration in Times Square on December 31, 2025. At 81 years old, the Motown legend led the countdown to the new year and performed a career-spanning medley of hits. Continue reading

Shirley Horn performs Here’s To Life at North Sea Jazz Festival with Het Metropole Orkest, 1994 Continue reading

Dancer, actor and choreographer Carmen DeLavallade performs The Creation featuring choreography by her husband Geoffrey Holder. Holder also designed the costume and music.  Continue reading

Pressure by Seyi Vibez featuring French Montana was released on December 26, 2025. Directed by Spiff TV, known for his work with artists like Drake and Bad Bunny.The track is featured on Seyi Vibez’s album FUJI MOTO, released under NSNV INC / EMPIRE. Continue reading

  You On You is an R&B single by Tamar Braxton, released  through Tamar Braxton Productions/Platform Sounds. Continue reading

Miracle in Harlem (1948) is a independent American film known as a race film, featuring an all-African American cast. is a murder mystery melodrama with musical elements, considered one of the better films of its genre from that era. The cast in the all black cast included  Sheila Guyse as… Continue reading

Miles Davis and Gil Evans Sketches of Spain: Concierto de Aranjuez performed live in Chicago by Orbert Davis on trumpet. Continue reading

This soul-stirring gospel performance of Oh, Happy Day by legendary musician Ray Charles, accompanied by the Voices of Jubilation, a world-famous 120-member choir from Newark, New Jersey. Continue reading

My Love Is The Same is by Afrobeat artist Adekunle Gold, released as the sixth song on his 2025 studio album, Fuji. Continue reading

In 1971, Alvin Ailey created Cry, one of his signature dance works, as a birthday present for his mother Lula Elizabeth Ailey. Ailey dedicated the ballet to “all black women everywhere — especially our mothers.” The three-part ballet, set to contemporary music by Alice Coltrane, Laura Nyro and Chuck Griffin, depicts a… Continue reading

The Voices of East Harlem was an African American vocal ensemble that originated in an inner-city action project in East Harlem, New York City. The song Right On, Be Free enjoys continued exposure as the last movement of Alvin Ailey‘s masterwork Cry.  Continue reading

8 Days of Christmas is the fourth studio album and the only holiday-themed project released by R&B group Destiny’s Child. Continue reading

Official visualizer for Hark! The Herald Angels Sing performed by Nat King Cole.  Continue reading

Todrick Hall magically appears underneath a green neon light in the shape of a Christmas tree for the accompanying visual. He flips his Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels anthem from 2019 into the sleigh-worthy holiday sing – a long with an equally electrifying music video. Continue reading

In this CBS Sunday Morning report that originally aired August 11, 2019, on the occasion of the dance group’s 60th anniversary, correspondent Rita Braver talked with dance icon and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison and her succeeding artistic director Robert Battle. Continue reading

PBT (Pretty Brown Thing) is a 2025 single by Travis Scott, Tyla, and Vybz Kartel. The track is the fourth and final single from the Cactus Jack compilation album, JACKBOYS 2, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Continue reading

Baby, It’s Cold Outside, performed by Vanessa Williams and Bobby Caldwell, is a soulful duet featured on Williams’ first holiday album, Star Bright. Continue reading

Everybody Loves Christmas is the  soundtrack for the 2024 Nollywood Film Everybody Loves Jenifa, produced and directed by Funke Akindele. Released in late 2024, the song is a festive collaboration featuring iconic Nigerian artists and the movie’s ensemble cast. Continue reading

Gospel legend CeCe Winans performed a powerful rendition of Joy To The World during the 15th Annual CMA Country Christmas special, which originally aired on last year on December. Continue reading

Boyz II Men’s Silent Night is a popular track from their first Christmas album, Christmas Interpretations, showcasing their signature smooth R&B harmonies on the classic carol and appearing on various holiday compilations. Continue reading

You never know what what plot twist will lead to a history lesson on The Cosby Show. When Denise throws a little get-together, things take a wild turn as the older crowd (Judith Jamison Donald McKayle, Bill Cosby, and Phylicia Rashad) show the youngsters how to really party. A nice dance scene… Continue reading

Children’s Christmas Song is a holiday track by The Supremes, released in November 1965 as part of their seventh studio album, Merry Christmas. The Supremes performed the song live on the television variety show Hullabaloo in 1965. Continue reading

Club Husband is a single by T-Pain, through his label, Nappy Boy Entertainment. The track blends smooth R&B with T-Pain’s signature humor, centered on the persona of a “Club Husband”— a man ready for holy matrimony after just a few drinks and a good song on the dance floor. Continue reading

The Queen of Rachet returns with another holiday parody – Baby It’s Cold Outside (Parody) Continue reading

Call Simone, a parody of Erykah Badu‘s song Call Tyrone, by comedian Tracy Morgan on his  Comedy Central Special.  Continue reading

Soul Holidays is a classic seasonal track by the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Sounds of Blackness, known for its uplifting blend of Gospel, R&B and Soul. Continue reading

Favorite Time of Year is a 2017 holiday single by the R&B group Dru Hill. The song is featured on their first-ever holiday album, Christmas in Baltimore, which was released on November 24, 2017.The group consist of  Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and Woody Rock. Continue reading

Christmas is in full swing at Times Square Church. Twelve-time Grammy Award winner and this year’s Gospel Artist of the Year, CeCe Winans, headlines Christmas on Broadway in heart of New York City at Times Square Church. Continue reading

Revelations was the tenth ballet by 29 year old emerging choreographer Alvin Ailey. The  work premiered in New York City on January 31, 1960, at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA. Revelations immediately captivated audiences with its powerful universal message of faith and resilience.   Continue reading

Shawa Shawa (Ashawo) is a vibrant, high-energy Afropop single by Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, designed for fun and dance. Released in November 2025, the song blends traditional African sounds with social commentary, exploring themes of morality and work ethic through humor and rhythm. Continue reading

Happy Birthday, S Continue reading

The Donny Hathaway and Lalah Hathaway This Christmas duet is a posthumous collaboration, featuring Lalah’s newly recorded vocals alongside previously unreleased tracks from her late father Donny Hathaway, released in late 2022. Continue reading

Eartha Mae Kitt was an actress, singer, cabaret star, dancer, stand-up comedienne, activist and voice artist. Known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of C’est Si Bon and the enduring Christmas novelty smash Santa Baby. Both songs became US Top 10 hits. Orson Welles once called… Continue reading

The Queen of The Ratchet brings us a new urban holiday classic with this The Little Drummer Boy parody. Continue reading

Grammy awarding winners Alicia Keys and Jon Batiste perform a rousy and Soulful Holiday Duet at the  Apple Music Live Holiday Ball.  Continue reading

Christmas in Hollis is a single by Run-DMC that was included on two 1987 Christmas compilation albums featuring various artists: A Very Special Christmas and Christmas Rap.  Continue reading

Every Year, Every Christmas is an original holiday song by singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in December 1995. It was featured on his classic Christmas album, This Is Christmas. The album was co-written by Vandross and Richard Marx.  Continue reading

A Legendary Christmas is the first Christmas album by John Legend, it was released on October 26, 2018. Featuring artists such as Esperanza Spalding and Stevie Wonder, the album was promoted by a tour. Continue reading

The Boyz II Men Christmas Episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is titled The Night Before Christening.In the episode, Will, trying to top the Banks family’s expensive christening gifts for baby Nicky, foolishly promises a live performance by the R&B group. Continue reading

Now Behold the Lamb was released on the 1995 album Kirk Franklin & The Family Christmas, and featuring vocalists Jalon Collins and Tamela Mann. Continue reading

The Eagle Has Landed is the title of a recent music video by Nigerian artist Flavour. The track is part of his new album, Afroculture, released on November 28, 2025. Continue reading

 Christmas Under the Stars which featured Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams, and Smokey Robinson. The concert was a special performance where these four legendary artists took the stage to perform Christmas music and bring the holiday spirit to the audience. Continue reading

The 2011 New York City Ballet (NYCB) Balanchine Nutcracker performance was filmed for a PBS Live From Lincoln Center broadcast.  The televised production featured principal dancers Megan Fairchild as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Joaquin De Luz as her Cavalier, with Adam Hendrickson as Herr Drosselmeier with students from the… Continue reading

A Mary Christmas is the eleventh studio album and first Christmas album by R&B artist Mary J. Blige. Continue reading

Taken from the Fade To Black Show from 2005. This was supposed to be Jay – Z’s last live show and retire for good. He gave us one of the greatest show ever. Continue reading

Christmas in Washington is an annual Christmas television special that currently airs on the U.S. TNT network. The 2102 show was hosted by Conan O’Brien and starred Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scotty McCreery, and Chris Mann.  Continue reading

M.O.P performing ANTE UP with Busta Rhymes and more live at  The 1st Annual Busta Rhymes Brooklyn Day – The Blessing Don’t Stop Event. Continue reading

The Dance Federation Africa performing Oil It the 2021 dancehall song by Mr. Killa.  Continue reading

Shaggy, Akon and Aidonia — have joined forces to deliver one of the most infectious records of the year with their explosive new single, Boom Body.A fusion of dancehall, afro-fusion, and global pop energy, the track is already lighting up playlists, parties and timelines across the world. Continue reading

Christina Aguilera’s performance of My Favorite Things (Live From The Eiffel Tower) is a real recording and has been released as a single to promote her new holiday film, Christina Aguilera: Christmas In Paris. Continue reading

The City Choir is a large, gospel-focused choir from Lagos, Nigeria, founded by Shalom Matthew. PeterTone is a multi-talented artist and coach who collaborates closely with The City Choir. It is known for performing at large events and has won the Africa Best Choir of the Year award. The choir, which… Continue reading

Rudolf Nureyev‘s 1968 staging of the Nutcracker for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden fundamentally altered the perception of The Nutcracker. Nureyev discarded the simplistic notion of a pure children’s fantasy, instead turning the entire dream sequence into a complex psycho-sexual exploration of Clara’s burgeoning maturity and her subconscious desire… Continue reading

Lalala is a newly collaborative project with two Afrobeat artist Young Jonn and Rema. The track, along with the video and visualizer, was released recently on November 28, 2025. Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge When Robert Battle discussed Under the Rhythm prior to the Paul Taylor Dance Company New York season the poignant story of his upbringing was inspiring. Dessie Williams, his mother by choice, introduced him to the arts and encouraged his terpsichorean journey. The nonagenarian still plays the piano… Continue reading

Chapman, Continue reading

Babes in Toyland is a Laurel and Hardy musical film released on March 10, 1934. The film is also known by its alternate titles Laurel and Hardy in Toyland, Revenge Is Sweet (the 1948 European reissue title), March of the Wooden Soldiers and Wooden Soldiers (in the United States). Continue reading

Cold is by Hip Hop artist, BigXthaPlug featuring Post Malone, released on November 21, 2025. The song is featured on BigXthaPlug’s album I Hope You’re Happy (Deluxe). Continue reading

Jason Derulo is creating new naked news when a recent instagram photograph was removed due to”aroused genitalia”.  Continue reading

Oscar Peterson and Friends features conversation and a musical collaboration, including a piano duet, between Oscar Peterson and Mary Lou Williams. The conversation includes Williams reminiscing about the early days of jazz and bebop, mentioning figures like Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and reflecting on how jazz music can affect people’s… Continue reading

Aware Worship is a worship collective founded by Calvin Nowell. In the summer of 2024 we found ourselves ministering to each other at The Aware Worship Worship Retreat in Nashville, TN. This worship song, Trust In God, was taught on the spot and lead by worship leader, Mark Gutierrez. May… Continue reading

Temilade Openiyi known professionally as Tems is a Nigerian artist, songwriter, and record producer. Continue reading

Carol of The Bells, a timeless classic, creatively but tastefully arranged by Isaac Cates and sung by the group Ordained. Continue reading

If you live in New York City one spectacular way of starting the Christmas Holiday Season is to go Rockefeller Center, and see the Radio City Music Hall‘s Christmas Spectacular Show featuring the Radio City Rockettes. Continue reading

Skip Marley Minto  is a Reggae artist. He is the son of Cedella Marley and David Minto, and grandson of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He has received two Grammy Award nominations and an MTV Video Music Award nomination. Continue reading

An esplanade is an outdoor place to walk; in 1975 Paul Taylor, inspired by the sight of a girl running to catch a bus, created a masterwork based on pedestrian movement. Continue reading

Feet On Land is a single by Hip Hop artists Moneybagg Yo and G Herbo, released on October 24, 2025. Produced by Krazy Mob, it contains a sample of “Killa Cam (Intro)” by Cam’ron. Continue reading

Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx performed their hit song Lady Marmalade live on Good Morning America (GMA) on November 3, 2025.  Continue reading

Azucar is a collaboration single by Romanian artist Minelli and Hip Hop artist Busta Rhymes. The track was released digitally in late October and early November 2025 by Global Records, with an accompanying official music video premiering on November 6, 2025. Continue reading

A Quincy Jones and Count Basie classic. From BBC Show of the week London, Nov 1965 Soloists: Count Basie and Al Grey. Continue reading

O&A NYC heralds in the holiday season a little early with the release of a new classic. CeCe Winans has a popular rendition of the classic hymn The First Noel. She has released multiple versions, including a recent solo single in November 2025 and a collaboration with her brother BeBe… Continue reading

Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled experience like never before as Cirque du Soleil proudly unveil O”, KÀ, AMALUNA an electrifying high-action intensity 60-minute special that will leave your heart pounding, your jaw dropping, and your senses on high-alert! Continue reading

A look at Paul Taylor (1930-2018) and his dance company over several months in 1997. Preparation of Taylor’s piece, Piazzolla Caldera, from conception and rehearsals to opening night at City Center, frames the film. Continue reading

  Freaks is a popular Hip Hop and Dancehall song by the artist Vicious (also known as Lil Vicious), released in 1994. The track features a collaboration with the legendary beatboxer and rapper Doug E. Fresh.  Continue reading

Promethean Fire (2002) is danced to the music of three of Leopold Stokowski’s famous Bach transcriptions (Opus 116). The ensemble work is one of Paul Taylor’s six ballets set to the music of the baroque master. This excerpt is the first movement choreographed to the celebrated Toccata and Fugue in D minor.   Continue reading

If You Believe was one of the many magical performances from the 1970s musical film, The Wiz. Actress and Living legend Lena Horne was one of the most talented, elegant & beautiful performers of her time! Great song, great musical, great message! Continue reading

Thumperz  is the title of a recent single by Hip Hop artist Young M.A (Katorah Kasanova Marrero). The track was released on November 7, 2025, via M.A Music / 3D, and the accompanying visual has been described as a “movie” by the artist. Continue reading

In May of 2012 flexin/mutant performer and New York Dance and Performance Awards (The Bessies) winner Storyboard P was invited to perform at the Breakin Convention at the world renowned Sadler’s Well in London, England. It was this very performance that helped Storyboard P win this prestigious dance award. Continue reading

Taylor Time is in full swing. The Paul Taylor Dance Company held their Gala performance tonight at New York State Theater in Lincoln Center. The evening presented two world premieres by Resident Choreographers Lauren Lovette and Robert Battle and the Taylor classic Sunset. This is a quick recap of the… Continue reading

Lean On My Love (ft. Andra Day) from Jon Batiste’s album Big Money Continue reading

The Paul Taylor Dance Company‘s New York City season opened on Tuesday November 4 at the New York State Theater in Lincoln Center for 20 performances through November 23.  The opening night performance presented Paul Taylor’s Concertiana and Cascade, and the New York premiere of Hope Boykin’s How Love Sounds.… Continue reading

Diana Ross performs standards from the Great American Songbook live from the Ritz theater in New York. Continue reading

HIM is a collaborative single by Afrobeat artist Shallipopi and Hip Hop artist Gunna. The song was released on October 24, 2025.The track is described as a fusion of trap and Afrobeats, blending the sounds from Benin City (Shallipopi’s origin) and Atlanta (Gunna’s origin).  Continue reading

By Walter Rutledge In the spring of 2014 The Edwynn Houk Gallery,745 Fifth Avenue, presented an exhibition of rare, vintage photographs by celebrated American photographer Herb Ritts. The exhibition focused exclusively on the five models in his iconic work, Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, Naomi, Hollywood, 1989. O&A NYC shares images from… Continue reading

Lila Iké born Alecia Tameka Grey, is a Jamaican Reggae artist. Continue reading

A teaser trailer for Michael, the film about the musician’s rise debuted on Thursday and gave the first glimpse of his real life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portraying his late uncle.In the trailer, the younger Jackson is seen portraying some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic moments, including his famous Moonwalk dance… Continue reading

Just Friends (Sunny) is the first single from Musiq Soulchild’s debut album Aijuswanaseing.It was released in 2000 as a single. The song was written for and also included on the soundtrack to the film Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. Continue reading

When your black neighbor was raised in Perkerwood County, Texas we know these country bops wouldn’t got down well in the hood. Continue reading

Man In The Mirror is by Hip Hop trio Dave East, Big Sean and Bun B was released around October 31,2025.The video was directed and edited by Watch The Screen 777, and the track was produced by High Honors Music.  Continue reading

The Paul Taylor Dance Company opened its New York City season tonight in State Theater at Lincoln Center. I very really can just watch a performance without a critical eye. This evening the Taylor Company indulged me with a ticket to tonight’s performance. Review(s) will follow, but it would be… Continue reading

Boss Up is by Reggae artist Shenseea, released on October 24, 2025. It is her debut single under her new record deal with Columbia Records, both divisions of Sony Music Entertainment, following her departure from Interscope Records. Continue reading