Latest Revision - June 13, 2022
This is Part II of a pancocojams series about the custom of throwing shoes or other items at singers or dancers as a high compliment for an exceptional performance.
This post presents an excerpt of an online article about the custom of throwing shoes at dancers as a high compliment. Two videos of this custom are showcased in this post along with selected comments from those videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/throwing-shoes-at-singers-or-dancers-as.html for Part I of this pancocojams series.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes .
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these embedded videos, and all those who are quoted in this post.
Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
In the United States, throwing shoes or other items is a public action and a high compliment that acknowledges that the person throwing that item really appreciates and respects the intended performer's talents and skills.
****
WHERE DOES THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT A PERFORMER AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT OCCUR & IN WHICH UNITED STATES POPULATION DID IT ORIGINATE?
Throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment mostly occurs in the United States.
Based on a preponderance of online statements about this custom, it appears that this custom originated some time ago in certain African American churches.
At least for some years, the custom of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment has also been associated with certain dance communities, particularly urban dance ("street dancing", "break dancing", "Hip Hop") and with certain musical theater entertainers regardless of the race/ethnicities of those dancers or entertainers.
However, one online comment that I found indicates that this custom also occurred in Trinidad & Tobago.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT
From https://2paragraphs.com/2017/09/why-jennifer-hudson-throws-shoes-book-on-the-voice-stage/
Why Jennifer Hudson Throws Shoes, Book on ‘The Voice’ Stage
by 2Paragraphs in Culture | September 25, 2017
"On the Season 13 premiere episode of The Voice, new coach Jennifer Hudson joins Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. All four are impressed when they hear the Blind Audition of Chris Weaver who sings “Try a Little Tenderness.” JHud is so impressed, she asks for Miley Cyrus’ shoe so she can throw it on stage. Chris Weaver knows what it means. JHud threw a shoe at him two years ago at a Color Purple party where he performed for her.
Throwing a shoe on stage is a sign of respect. And it ain’t new, especially on televised talent shows. In 2011, when Lady Gaga was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, she was so moved by a performance that she cried and threw her shoe on stage. She explained that it’s a sign of respect in the dance world (inserted video not included in this excerpt). And apparently, on The Voice, it doesn’t have to be a shoe. When JHud heard Brooke Simpson sing “Stone Cold,” she threw her notebook on stage. That said, throwing a shoe at a politician means something different."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #1: #TheVoiceStage
Cedric Neal sings 'Higher Ground' by Stevie Wonder | The Voice Stage #7
Best of The Voice, Nov 26, 2019
Cedric's rendition of Higher Ground got the coaches on their feet! Watch his amazing story and incredible performance and tell us what you thought in the comments down below!
đ¨ Song info:
Cedric Neal performs 'Higher Ground' by Stevie Wonder.
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. eanna kinsman, 2019
"Oh my sweet Jesus...this man just STRAIGHT UP SANG the Holy heck outta that song y'all...đĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽ Yes ma'am JHUD throw them shoes girl❣❣❣ I had to watch it over!!! đĽ❤đĽ❤đĽ"
**
2. quemeese, 2019
"President Bush had a shoe thrown at him and no one thought it was because the thrower liked what Bush was doing.........."
**
REPLY
3. blendedtonesable, 2019
"They were referencing African American culture in the USA."
**
REPLY
4. quemeese, 2019
"@blendedtonesable still ridiculous to throw a shoe and expect someone to think you like what they're doing. it's just rude"
**
REPLY
5. blendedtonesable, 2019
"@quemeese You can't impose your culture's opinon onto another culture just because it is different from what you are used to."
**
REPLY
6. K.Alexander, 2019
"@quemeese it's not disrespectful. If you know anything about music or the voice then you would know that it is a sign of respect and love."
**
REPLY
7. quemeese, 2019
"my opinion (which I am entitled to and entitled to share, as long as I don't try to coerce anyone into agreeing to my opinion) is still RUDE!"
**
8. Jelly Bean, 2019
"I wish sister Jenn would stop with the shoe throwing!"
**
9. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"I still dont understand the shoe throwing it's just so disrespectful and stupid to me"
**
REPLY
1O. Rouien Jan Latorre, 2019
"Then maybe you dont watch the voice that match or jennifer for that matter, its a sign of respect. If a black man or woman throw something to you then your a good singer"
**
REPLY
11. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"@Rouien Jan Latorre I get that
I just think it's stupid and wanted to know where did it originate from"
**
REPLY
12. Harmony Jones, 2019
"Sonia Nicole it signifies that they have soul. The sole of their shoes represents that. Looks crazy I know, but it’s an old culture. For those who understand it, they are aware it isn’t meant disrespectfully.
All I’ll say is that there are strange cultures all over the world but just because we don’t understand it doesn’t make it stupid. It’s ok to find it weird and different but ‘stupid’ is a harsh word I think. Please this response isn’t meant in a bad way."
**
REPLY
13. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"@Harmony Jones aww... thanks for explaining that
Appreciate it"
**
14. June Boogie, 2019
"đŁU betta SANG!!!"
**
15. Hadi Yazid, 2019
"New music indicator - JHud Throwing Shoes"
**
REPLY
16. Glenda Clarke, 2019
"Still NOT a good thing!"
**
REPLY
17. maryrose chinonye onejeme, 2019
"For black Americans is a hugh complement"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: The Mask - Soundtrack / Keone & Mariel Madrid Choreography Showcase / URBAN DANCE CAMP
URBAN DANCE CAMP Jan 13, 2015
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Camryn Yang, 2015
"throws imaginary shoes at them"
-snip-
The bold font is how this comment was written.
**
2. Abel First-Quao, 2015
"Wait – they threw shoes? What? Am I missing something?"
**
REPLY
3. haus-of-gasa, 2015
"@Abel First-Quao Lol people throw shoes in dance class when they really like a piece of choreo"
**
REPLY
4. Abel First-Quao, 2015
"@Natalie P Thanks for clearing that up, haha
**
5. trinityttn, 2015
"yo they killed it! hahaha"
**
6. TheAuthenticStinray, 2015
"If anyone wondering, the band is Royal Crown Revue, the song Hey Pachuco"
**
7. Royce Yimbo, 2015
"I legit almost threw my phone and started screaming in bed when I watched this video xD Phenomenol. That's all I have to say đđđđ"
**
8. Janelle Vallejos, 2015
"I accidentally threw my shoes at the monitor. Well keone is strong and have so much control then mariel is flawless, perfect for a dance couple!"
**
9. Domingo en Fuego, 2016
"dude what type of dance is that? hiphop?"
**
REPLY
10. Kloa, 2016
"It's a little mix of hip hop and swing :)
****
UPDATE: June 13, 2022
From https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Jennifer+Hudson%22
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S EXCERPT FROM PART I OF THIS SERIES
In the United States, throwing shoes or other items is a public action and a high compliment that acknowledges that the person throwing that item really appreciates and respects the intended performer's talents and skills.
****
WHERE DOES THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT A PERFORMER AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT OCCUR & IN WHICH UNITED STATES POPULATION DID IT ORIGINATE?
Throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment mostly occurs in the United States.
Based on a preponderance of online statements about this custom, it appears that this custom originated some time ago in certain African American churches.
At least for some years, the custom of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment has also been associated with certain dance communities, particularly urban dance ("street dancing", "break dancing", "Hip Hop") and with certain musical theater entertainers regardless of the race/ethnicities of those dancers or entertainers.
However, one online comment that I found indicates that this custom also occurred in Trinidad & Tobago.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT
From https://2paragraphs.com/2017/09/why-jennifer-hudson-throws-shoes-book-on-the-voice-stage/
Why Jennifer Hudson Throws Shoes, Book on ‘The Voice’ Stage
by 2Paragraphs in Culture | September 25, 2017
"On the Season 13 premiere episode of The Voice, new coach Jennifer Hudson joins Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. All four are impressed when they hear the Blind Audition of Chris Weaver who sings “Try a Little Tenderness.” JHud is so impressed, she asks for Miley Cyrus’ shoe so she can throw it on stage. Chris Weaver knows what it means. JHud threw a shoe at him two years ago at a Color Purple party where he performed for her.
Throwing a shoe on stage is a sign of respect. And it ain’t new, especially on televised talent shows. In 2011, when Lady Gaga was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, she was so moved by a performance that she cried and threw her shoe on stage. She explained that it’s a sign of respect in the dance world (inserted video not included in this excerpt). And apparently, on The Voice, it doesn’t have to be a shoe. When JHud heard Brooke Simpson sing “Stone Cold,” she threw her notebook on stage. That said, throwing a shoe at a politician means something different."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #1: #TheVoiceStage
Cedric Neal sings 'Higher Ground' by Stevie Wonder | The Voice Stage #7
Best of The Voice, Nov 26, 2019
Cedric's rendition of Higher Ground got the coaches on their feet! Watch his amazing story and incredible performance and tell us what you thought in the comments down below!
đ¨ Song info:
Cedric Neal performs 'Higher Ground' by Stevie Wonder.
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. eanna kinsman, 2019
"Oh my sweet Jesus...this man just STRAIGHT UP SANG the Holy heck outta that song y'all...đĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽ Yes ma'am JHUD throw them shoes girl❣❣❣ I had to watch it over!!! đĽ❤đĽ❤đĽ"
**
2. quemeese, 2019
"President Bush had a shoe thrown at him and no one thought it was because the thrower liked what Bush was doing.........."
**
REPLY
3. blendedtonesable, 2019
"They were referencing African American culture in the USA."
**
REPLY
4. quemeese, 2019
"@blendedtonesable still ridiculous to throw a shoe and expect someone to think you like what they're doing. it's just rude"
**
REPLY
5. blendedtonesable, 2019
"@quemeese You can't impose your culture's opinon onto another culture just because it is different from what you are used to."
**
REPLY
6. K.Alexander, 2019
"@quemeese it's not disrespectful. If you know anything about music or the voice then you would know that it is a sign of respect and love."
**
REPLY
7. quemeese, 2019
"my opinion (which I am entitled to and entitled to share, as long as I don't try to coerce anyone into agreeing to my opinion) is still RUDE!"
**
8. Jelly Bean, 2019
"I wish sister Jenn would stop with the shoe throwing!"
**
9. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"I still dont understand the shoe throwing it's just so disrespectful and stupid to me"
**
REPLY
1O. Rouien Jan Latorre, 2019
"Then maybe you dont watch the voice that match or jennifer for that matter, its a sign of respect. If a black man or woman throw something to you then your a good singer"
**
REPLY
11. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"@Rouien Jan Latorre I get that
I just think it's stupid and wanted to know where did it originate from"
**
REPLY
12. Harmony Jones, 2019
"Sonia Nicole it signifies that they have soul. The sole of their shoes represents that. Looks crazy I know, but it’s an old culture. For those who understand it, they are aware it isn’t meant disrespectfully.
All I’ll say is that there are strange cultures all over the world but just because we don’t understand it doesn’t make it stupid. It’s ok to find it weird and different but ‘stupid’ is a harsh word I think. Please this response isn’t meant in a bad way."
**
REPLY
13. Sonia Nicole, 2019
"@Harmony Jones aww... thanks for explaining that
Appreciate it"
**
14. June Boogie, 2019
"đŁU betta SANG!!!"
**
15. Hadi Yazid, 2019
"New music indicator - JHud Throwing Shoes"
**
REPLY
16. Glenda Clarke, 2019
"Still NOT a good thing!"
**
REPLY
17. maryrose chinonye onejeme, 2019
"For black Americans is a hugh complement"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: The Mask - Soundtrack / Keone & Mariel Madrid Choreography Showcase / URBAN DANCE CAMP
URBAN DANCE CAMP Jan 13, 2015
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Camryn Yang, 2015
"throws imaginary shoes at them"
-snip-
The bold font is how this comment was written.
**
2. Abel First-Quao, 2015
"Wait – they threw shoes? What? Am I missing something?"
**
REPLY
3. haus-of-gasa, 2015
"@Abel First-Quao Lol people throw shoes in dance class when they really like a piece of choreo"
**
REPLY
4. Abel First-Quao, 2015
"@Natalie P Thanks for clearing that up, haha
**
5. trinityttn, 2015
"yo they killed it! hahaha"
**
6. TheAuthenticStinray, 2015
"If anyone wondering, the band is Royal Crown Revue, the song Hey Pachuco"
**
7. Royce Yimbo, 2015
"I legit almost threw my phone and started screaming in bed when I watched this video xD Phenomenol. That's all I have to say đđđđ"
**
8. Janelle Vallejos, 2015
"I accidentally threw my shoes at the monitor. Well keone is strong and have so much control then mariel is flawless, perfect for a dance couple!"
**
9. Domingo en Fuego, 2016
"dude what type of dance is that? hiphop?"
**
REPLY
10. Kloa, 2016
"It's a little mix of hip hop and swing :)
****
UPDATE: June 13, 2022
From https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Jennifer+Hudson%22
Team Pajamas
@kfairwrites
11:02 PM June 12, 2022
Breaking: Jennifer Hudson is an EGOT. Throw a shoe.
#TonyAwards #TonyAwards2022
-snip-
Here's an explanation about the meaning of EGOT from that same twitter page:
@DionneGrant
5:04 AM June 13, 2022
Jennifer Hudson has achieved EGOT status l- individuals who have won an Emmy, a
Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony - after her #TonyAwards win for producing musical,
“A Strange Loop.” She is the 17th person to achieve the honour and second Black
woman to do so after Whoopi Goldberg đđž
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Visitor comments are welcome.
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