Ousmane Sy

From his early footwork days in the 1980s, Ousmane Sy has sought to translate his fascination with the body movements of a soccer team into dance. His artistic world, which spans multiple disciplines, is composed of footwork, crisscrossing runs, dynamic exchanges between the dance floor and the stage, and an irrepressible desire to push one’s limits through the group.

With one foot in the club and the other in the battle: it is between these spaces of expression that Babson asserts his connection to house music, eventually becoming one of its leading ambassadors in France. By winning the “Battle of the Year” title in 2001 with Wanted Posse, he propelled the “French touch” to the pinnacle of the international scene by placing, at the heart of the challenge, movements inspired by New York nightclubs. His dance gradually began to explore the interwoven stories and African-descendant roots embedded in house rhythms. Thus was born the “Afro House Spirit,” a contemporary style steeped in the heritage of traditional African and Caribbean dances.

Through his direction, the founder of the All 4 House events coaches the dancers of the Paradox-Sal group in a multi-act production exploring femininity in motion. Among the works emerging from their collaboration, Queen Blood (2019) and One Shot (2021) form two dance ensembles that oscillate between group formations and expressive solos, reveling in the clash of styles. Throughout his choreographic practice, Ousmane Sy pursues an aesthetic exploration influenced as much by the mass as by the freestyle spirit of hip hop, driven by the conviction that identity is realized in service of the collective.

Following his passing in 2020, the cultural center in the city of Antony was renamed in tribute to the choreographer. Today, Ousmane Sy’s repertoire and legacy continue to resonate through the group Paradox-Sal, spreading his memorable journey, his vision of dance, and his immense generosity toward others.

Ousmane Sy is a founding member of the FAIR-E collective and has served as director of the CCN in Rennes and Brittany since January 2019. His artistic repertoire is carried forward by the collective.