We Rounded Up 10 Of The Greatest Performances From ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
Best moves from top to bottom
FOX announced Monday that it has renewed the long-running dance competition show So You Think You Can Dance for its 14th season this year.
For this season, they are returning to their original setup showcasing talented dancers in the 18-30 age bracket after their last attempt with SYTYCD: The Next Generation that featured contestants between ages 8-13 did not catch on with the core SYTYCD fanbase.
We’re already looking forward to the next season, but to get you hyped for what’s coming, here are some great performances from the previous season you can revisit right away.
“I Got You” — Melanie and Marko, Season 8
In this performance, Melanie and Marko play 2 best friends who fall in love after Marko is jilted at the altar. It’s a beautiful song about not noticing what you’ve had in front of you for a long time and Melanie and Marko brought Leona Lewis’ song to life. Their chemistry is quite intense and that kiss sends a jolt all the way from there.
“Dhoom Taana” — Katee and Joshua, Season 4
Their performance isn’t legendary just because they were the first to perform a Bollywood-inspired routine. The mere fact that Katee and Joshua were able to pull off this technical high-energy choreography perfectly was a feat in itself.
“Mercy” — Katee and tWitch, Season 4
Here, Katee Shean and tWitch were paired for this performance before he was an all-star. Their typically friendly chemistry mutated as a more sexy version for this routine. Katee plays the epitome of the psycho ex-girlfriend; tWitch the definition of “too cool.” Duffy’s “Mercy” could not have been interpreted better by a different pair.
“Hip Hip Chin Chin” — Lacey and Danny, Season 3
Lacey and Danny made it impossible to forget their names with the leg work and pure sensual energy they brought to the stage. Their samba routine is pure flames. No other description works as well.
“Are You The One” — Neil and Danny, Season 3
Their routine automatically brings Interview With A Vampire to mind where Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were vampires in pre-emancipation Louisiana. Neil and Danny went head to head with a Mia Michael’s contemporary routine. The story involves two princes fighting for the throne, and Danny mentioned how in real life they are sort of fighting, in terms of the competition to be crowned America’s favourite dancer at the time.
“Fix You” — Robert and Allison, Season 8
In this very moving, personal piece, Travis Wall choreographed a routine about his mother’s surgery and his journey to help her through it. Even though the whole dance itself is beautiful, the ending walk is the big selling point. Robert and Allison gave their all, perfectly executing the routine and creating this masterpiece.
“Wicked Game” — Amy and Travis, Season 10
Season 10 winner Amy Yakima danced with Travis Wall (who also created the routine) in what might have been the perfect pairings of dancers, music and choreography. The result is an unforgettable piece of art.
“Say Something” — Amy and Robert, Season 10
This routine was about an unhealthy relationship where Amy is so dependent on partner Robert who loves her so much that he lets her drain him almost entirely, until the very end when he just can’t do it anymore and he has to walk away. Stacey Tookey choreographed this piece and Amy-Robert beautifully translated this piece.
Hometown Glory — Katee and Joshua, Season 4
Here’s another season 4 routine originally done by Katee Shean and Joshua Allen set to Adele’s “Hometown Glory” (before Adele became the biggest thing ever). This routine told the story of two individuals bent on achieving their dreams they ignore everyone else. They both murdered this routine and it’s hard to imagine another pair do it better.
“Bang Bang” — Alex and Eliana, Season 9
Alex and Eliana recreated a story of an abusive relationship where Eliana could not leave her manipulative lover. Nancy Sinatra’s song could not have been choreographed any better (except by Stacey Tookey). Notice how silent the audience was until the end of the performance? Enough said.
There have been so many wonderful performances that it was quite a tax to narrow it down to ten. Do you agree with the list? What’s your favourite SYTYCD performance?
Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
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Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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