From his hometown of Antony to major international competitions, and drawing inspiration from the spirit of East Coast club culture while building bridges between Africa and other continents, Ousmane Sy (1975–2020) left a lasting mark on dance and hip hop worldwide. Known for his enduring passion and commitment to championing house dance, “Babson” remains a unifying figure for an entire community of dancers and activists.

From his first steps in the 1980s, he translated into dance his fascination with the movement of football teams: passing patterns, crossing runs, and transversal exchanges between the dancefloor and the stage. With one foot in the club and the other in the battle scene, he became one of the leading ambassadors of house dance in France. In 2001, with Wanted Posse, he won the Battle of the Year title, bringing the “French touch” to the top of the international scene.

His dance gradually turned towards the Afro-descendant lineages carried by house rhythms. From this emerged Afro House Spirit, a contemporary style rooted in the heritage of traditional African and Caribbean dances. Founder of the All 4 House parties, he coached the dancers of Paradox-Sal on a multi-part creation exploring femininity in motion: Queen Blood (2019) and One Shot (2021), two pieces moving between ensemble formations and expressive solos, driven by the conviction that identity is fulfilled through the collective.

A member of the FAIR-E collective leading CCN de Rennes et de Bretagne from 2019, Ousmane Sy passed away in 2020. The cultural centre in the city of Antony was renamed in his honour. His work continues to be carried by CCN de Rennes et de Bretagne and the Paradox-Sal collective.