12/10/15 O&A NYC REVIEW: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater- Rennie Harris Exodus

By Walter Rutledge

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The real significance of Rennie Harris’ body of work has been his ability to transform hip-hop, a vernacular dance style created during the height of inner city urban blight of the 80’s, into the foundation for his abstract narrative art form. In early works such as Rome and Jewels (2000) Harris transforms the visceral hip-hop esthetic into 21st classicism. His latest work for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Exodus infuses the hip-hop genre and modern dance with theatrical elements and strong choreographic structure. Continue reading

12/9/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Busta Rhymes – Gimme Some More

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Gimme Some More is the Grammy–nominated lead single by rapper Busta Rhymes from his third solo album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. The song is often considered to be the very summit of Busta’s complex, breathless, high-speed rhyming delivery most prominent in his early work. Continue reading

11/18/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Nelly- Country Grammar (Hot Shit)

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Country Grammar (Hot Shit) the album’s first single from Nelly debut album (of the same name) premiered on February 29, 2000. The song written by Nelly and Jason “Jay E” Epperson, and produced by the latter is based off the children clapping game Down Down BabyCountry Grammar‍‍ ’​‍s success cemented Nelly’s position as one of the most successful hip hop acts of the emerging decade.  Continue reading

10/30/15 O&A NYC With WaleStylez- Song Of The Day: Black Violin – Stereotypes

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Stereotypes marks the third LP but major-label debut for hip-hop/classical crossover duo Black Violin, who also incorporate jazz, R&B, roots, rap, and pop into their unconstrained sound. Violinist Marcus and violist Wil B invited numerous collaborators to the recording, including but not limited to Grammy-winning singer Melanie Fiona, rapper Pharoahe Monch, keyboardist Ray Angry (Dianne Reeves, Elvis Costello), drummer Daru Jones (Jack White, Talib Kweli), string arranger/performer Rob Moose (yMusic, Alabama Shakes, Bon Iver), and producer Eli Wolf (Norah Jones, Digable Planets).  Continue reading

10/27/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Drake- Hotline Bling

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At this point, there’s no denying Drake’s charmingly goofy, yet luxurious and minimalist dance moves in his new “Hotline Bling” music video. The clip dropped only days ago, but at this point, it’s pretty much legendary (or at least Internet-legendary), judging by the sheer volume of new memes we get out of it daily — and not to mention its influence on the fashion world. Continue reading

9/30/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day Ludacris – Southern Hospitality ft. Pharrell

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Southern Hospitality is the second single released off Ludacris’s album Back for the First Time, released in 2000 and composed by The Neptunes.   Continue reading

9/26/15 O&A NYC With WaleStylez- Song Of The Day: Jae Tips- Sold My Yeezys

16“I  literally live and breath music i have nothing else in life besides sneakers and being from new york , you thirst for opportunity to shine on a big stage and wont stop until the world shares your vision.”- Jae Tips Continue reading

8/30/15 O&A NYC Gospel Sunday: Charles Jenkins AWESOME REMIX ft. Jessica Reedy, Isaac Carree, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. & @CantonJones

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Charles Jenkins and Canton Jones team up to do a REMIX to the chart topping song AWESOME! Jessica Reedy, Isaac Carree, and Da Truth joins them as Gospel meets Hip Hop and R&B! Continue reading

7/23/15 O&A Throwback Thursday: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince- Summertime

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Summertime is a song by hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. It was released in May 1991 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Homebase. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1992 Grammy Awards. It spent a week at number #1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart as well as reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Continue reading