5/13/16 O&A NYC WITH WaleStylez- SONG OF THE DAY: Cameo- Word up

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.
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Word Up! is a funk and R&B song written and recorded by Cameo in 1986. Due to its heavy play on American dance and R&B radio, as well as music video play on MTV (which has LeVar Burton as a police detective trying to arrest the band), the single became the band’s best known hit.

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5/12/16 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY- THE 80’S: Batdance- Prince

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The Batdance music video, directed by Albert Magnoli and choreographed by Barry Lather, featured dancers costumed as multiple Batmen, Jokers and Vicki Vales. Continue reading

5/11/16 SONG OF THE DAY WITH WaleStylez-THE 80’SDJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Parents Just Don’t Understand

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

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Parents Just Don’t Understand is the second single from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s second studio album, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards, one of the two songs to do so before the award was discontinued in 1991. It peaked at on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was released as a single in spring 1988.

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5/9/16 O&A NYC WITH WaleStylez- SONG OF THE DAY: THE 80’S: Shalamar – A Night To Remember

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

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 A Night to Remember by disco/R&B group Shalamar was released in February 1982 as the second single from their sixth studio album Friends (1982). Continue reading

5/8/16 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Shirley Ceasar- I Remember Mama

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Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams, known professionally as Shirley Caesar is known as First Lady of Gospel Music. The singer, songwriter and recording artist career has spanned over six decades. Ceasar is a multi-award winning artist, with eleven Grammy Awards and seven Dove Awards to her credit.  Continue reading

(Repost) 2/26/21 O&A NYC DANCE EXTRA: A Conversation with George Faison- The Creative Process

By Walter Rutledge

“George Faison is one of my favorite people. Choreographer, director, performer, teacher, activist and cultural icon Faison’s story is larger than life. Throughout his five decades of artistic exploration he has maintained a keen eye, a childlike curiosity and a frolicsome sense of humor; which is reflected through his art and life. This interview was originally posted on May 6, 2016 and was filmed at the Faison Firehouse.”- W. Rutledge

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Tony and Emmy Award winning choreographer George Faison will present a new work entitled Kingdom Come at the McDonald’s Gospelfest – Live at Prudential Center (25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ) on Saturday May 7th. The ensemble work is an inspiring, and uplifting ballet set to a haunting score of ‎Jerome Olds. Throughout Faison’s career the humanistic quality of his work, and his ability to reach beyond the footlights and touch an audience has become his signature.    Continue reading

5/3/16 O&A NYC WITH WaleStylez- SONG OF THE DAY: Maxi Priest – Close To You

By Adewale Adekanbi Jr.

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Close to You is a song by British reggae artist, Maxi Priest. It was released in July 1990 as the lead single from the album, Bonafide. It reached number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 6 October 1990.

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4/29/16 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY- REMEMBERING PRINCE: Kiss

 

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“Kiss” is a 1986 single by Prince and The Revolution, from the album Parade. The music video is directed by Rebecca Blake. In the plot of the video, Prince appears in a half shirt and leather jacket and then all shirtless and performs dance choreography in a hall. He is accompanied by the veiled dancer Monique Manning wearing black lingerie and aviator sunglasses while Revolution member Wendy Melvoin sits playing guitar. Continue reading