Shows
This Afro Dance LifeBONUS EPISODE: Dance Put a Verb on The Music - DJ Flygerian JeffIn this special bonus episode of This Afro Dance Life, host Gladys Edeh sits down with international DJ, event producer, and United Tribes of Africa founder Flygerian Jeff. Born in Oakland to Nigerian parents, Jeff shares his unexpected journey from pre-med student and bartender to one of the Bay Area’s trailblazing Afrobeats DJs.He opens up about how a spontaneous nickname, a chance to host parties on slow Wednesday nights, and a powerful encounter with Afrobeats music led to a life-changing mission: to create spaces that celebrate African culture through music and dance.Jeff ta...2025-07-181h 44This Afro Dance LifeAfroHouse Robbed Me From DanceHall - Tany OraIn this episode of This Afro Dance Life, Haitian-born dancer and choreographer Tany Ora shares her rich, cross-continental journey from traditional Haitian folkloric dance to Dancehall—and eventually, how Afro House “robbed her” and completely transformed her artistic path. A trained architect, Tany dives deep into how dance became her outlet and why community building is central to her work. She breaks down her unique teaching philosophy—like why she teaches without mirrors—and unpacks the realities of growth, consistency, and healing as a creative.We also discuss how social media has shaped Afro dance culture, the realities...2025-05-081h 29This Afro Dance LifeBONUS EPISODE: I’m Trying To Create Art, But People Just Want Content - LADÉIn this special bonus episode, host Gladys Edeh chats with cinematographer and editor Lade, a visionary behind some of Afro Dance’s most viral visuals online. With 13 years in digital media and as the founder of Wonderland LLC, Lade's work has helped shape the visual storytelling of Afro Dance online. This raw and eye-opening conversation dives deep into the demanding behind-the-scenes work of dance videography, the struggles for fair pay and the sacrifices that come with the craft. Lade shares his journey, the sacrifices, and the joys of creating viral dance visuals, and why he ultimately stepped aw...2025-03-071h 20This Afro Dance LifeI Don't Take No as Failure - Ogo Chimere EzendokwereIn this episode of This Afro Dance Life, host Gladys Edeh interviews Nigerian-born dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur Ogo Chimere Ezendokwere. Based in Portland, Oregon, Ogo shares her inspiring journey from being a self-taught dancer in Nigeria to founding Afro Dance Connect, a platform bringing Afro Dance culture to the Pacific Northwest.
Discover how Ogo transitioned from a corporate career at Intel to becoming a leader in the Afro Dance community, hosting events like the acclaimed Afro Dance Experience. She reflects on her passion for building inclusive spaces, the challenges of staying true to cultural roots, and her advice...2025-01-221h 10This Afro Dance LifeStand on Business, Invest in yourself - Olivia DansoIn this episode of This Afro Dance Life, host Gladys Edeh sits down with Olivia Danso, a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and mentor, to discuss her inspiring journey in the world of Afro dance. Olivia shares how her passion for dance began in middle school and flourished through high school and college, where she won awards for her choreography and trained in various styles such as modern, jazz, and Afrobeats.
She recounts pivotal moments in her career, including performing with artists like Teyana Taylor, Fireboy DML, and Asake, as well as working on projects with major brands and p...2024-12-091h 00This Afro Dance LifeAfrica Is Not Commercial - Cece HerbertIn this lively episode, host Gladys Edeh chats with Cece Herbert, a trailblazing Liberian-American dancer and choreographer. Cece shares her inspiring journey from her early years performing in church to making it big on international stages like *Black Panther 2* and Red Bull’s Dance Your Style. We dive into her experiences training in Africa, the challenges of getting recognition in the dance industry, and her efforts to build stronger communities through platforms like Afro Dance USA.
With warmth and wisdom, Cece talks about finding joy in creativity, the importance of representation, and the beauty of...2024-10-201h 14This Afro Dance LifeExposure Doesn't Pay The Bills - YayafitnessIn this episode of AfroDance Life, we chat with dance instructor and fitness queen, Yaya of Yaya Fitness. Yaya shares her incredible journey, from growing up in Nigeria to becoming a renowned Afro dance instructor in the U.S. She opens up about her life-changing encounter with Sheri Silver during "Detty December" in Nigeria, which led to working as an assistant choreographer for Childish Gambino. Yaya also discusses her after-pregnancy fitness transformation, balancing motherhood, a 9-5 job, and teaching dance. Plus, she dives into the importance of giving dancers the credit they deserve for their hard work. Tune in...2024-10-1354 minThis Afro Dance LifeSchool Daze - Dance Crew Stories and More with Guinevere AoaehIn this debut episode, I'm excited to chat with my longtime friend Guinevere Aoaeh, who was a key member of my high school dance crew. We’ll reminisce about the unforgettable performances we put on—choreographed by yours truly—and the wild adventures and mischief that came with them. Join us as we dive into how those formative years of dancing and creativity shaped our passions and paths in life.2024-09-1255 minThis Afro Dance LifeThis Afro Dance Life - An IntroductionWelcome to the Afro Dance Life podcast, your front-row seat to the electrifying world of Afro Dance! Get ready to dive into thrilling conversations with the artists who are revolutionizing the Afrobeats scene and acting as cultural ambassadors on a global stage. We’ll explore the artistry behind their mesmerizing performances and viral dance videos that spread the infectious joy of Afrobeats worldwide. While their hard work often flies under the radar, we're here to celebrate their passion, creativity, and the incredible behind-the-scenes stories that make this art form truly extraordinary. Tune in and get inspired by the vi...2024-08-1501 min