Choreographed by Tony Adigun, The Black Album is a groundbreaking triple-bill that combines hip-hop dance with innovative choreography, offering a visually and musically immersive experience. The project weaves together three distinct pieces—Omega, A Classical Break, and Dark Matter—each reflecting the dynamic power and coolness of black culture through the medium of dance.

In Omega, five dancers and columns of light respond to the experimental sounds of Jazzanova, creating a unique dialogue between movement and music. A Classical Break humorously blends breakdancing with the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Prokofiev, highlighting the contrast and harmony between street dance and classical music. Finally, Dark Matter explores the abstract, unleashing the inner darkness of eight dancers who interact with the shadows, allowing the audience to “see” the music through their powerful, captivating movements.

Through cutting-edge choreography and a strong narrative arc, The Black Album is an innovative celebration of music, movement, and the artistic expression of black culture, led by the visionary talent of Tony Adigun.

The British Council approached Tony Adigun and his team at Avant Garde Dance to bring The Black Album to India as part of their Impulse season of UK contemporary dance. In response, Avant Garde Dance embarked on a vibrant three-week tour, performing in six major cities: Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The tour not only showcased their dynamic performances but also included an extensive outreach program with workshops aimed at engaging local dancers and communities.

As part of the tour, Avant Garde Dance collaborated with the Swingers Dance Company, culminating in a joint performance at the Egmore Museum Theatre in Chennai. This collaboration was made possible through a partnership with Ranvir Shah of Prakriti Foundation. The tour was developed after the British Council invited Shah to attend the British Dance Edition 2014, where both parties saw Avant Garde Dance’s work as an exciting way to connect with the growing interest in hip-hop culture among young people and dancers in India.