Biography of Adesola Osakalumi
Adesola Osakalumi (born in The Bronx, New York) is a talented American actor, choreographer, singer, and dancer who has achieved notable success in film, television, and stage performances.
Early Life
Adesola’s passion for dance began in his childhood, influenced by his family’s strong ties to the art form. His mother was a principal dancer with Africa I Dance Theater, a touring company founded by his uncles and later joined by his father. The company was dedicated to promoting African dance and culture across the U.S. and internationally, which fueled young Adesola’s drive to dance, choreograph, and teach. He briefly studied at the Dance Theater of Harlem, where, while on scholarship, he learned to combine his natural talent with discipline and mastered various dance techniques.
As a young dancer, Adesola aspired to be one of the best poppers and lockers—two styles of urban social dance with roots in hip hop culture but influenced by African traditions. His dream came true when he was selected to join Rhythm Technicians, a prominent dance crew of renowned B-Boys in New York. The crew gained popularity for their performances throughout the city.
The group later evolved into the GhettOriginals Productions Dance Company (GPDC), pioneers of hip hop theater. As a co-founder, Adesola helped solidify hip-hop dance’s place in commercial theater. GPDC made history as the first hip-hop dance group to perform at the prestigious Colorado Dance Festival. The company also created the groundbreaking dance production Jam on the Groove, which premiered Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theatre in November 1995. The production earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Choreography and toured the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia, receiving critical acclaim.
Leadership and Contributions
Adesola has held various leadership roles in the arts, including serving as artistic director for Hip Hop Kung Fu at The Asia Society, where he showcased hip hop artists from Japan, China, and the U.S. He has also been a board member of Dancing in the Streets and a choreographic mentor for Pentacle.
Broadway Success
Adesola is widely recognized for his work in the award-winning Broadway musical FELA!, which won three Tony Awards for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound Design. In 2009, he joined the cast as a dancer (Area Boy) in the ensemble and as an understudy for the role of Fela Kuti. In 2010, he performed as Fela Kuti on Broadway, and in the 2011 national tour, he became the alternate lead, performing the role of Fela on weekends and select evenings. When the musical returned to Broadway for a limited engagement in July 2012, Adesola became the lead and continued his role through the 2013 national tour, earning rave reviews for his portrayal of the iconic Nigerian musician.
Adesola Osakalumi’s career is a testament to his versatility, leadership, and dedication to promoting dance and culture across various platforms.