The Chicago Stepping Tradition Of Men Dancing With Men

Dj Stretch Alex, Feb 2, 2011
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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update: July1, 2022

This pancocojams post showcases a 2011 YouTube video of the Chicago Stepping freestyle tradition in which men dance with other men. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are included in this post. These comments present information about the history of men dancing Chicago Stepping freestyle with other men. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to these featured dancers and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicago-stepping-information-videos.html for Part I of a 2013 pancocojams series on Chicago stepping. The link for Part II is given in that post.

Also, click the "Chicago stepping" tag or Google "Chicago Stepping pancocojams" for additional pancocojams posts about that dance style.

Editor's Note: Chicago Stepping isn't the same as the steppin'[g] that originated with and is still most closely associated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikVaKr9K3c

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

This is only a small sample of the comments about men dancing with men that are found in this discussion thread.

2011

1. Mistepper1
"This old-school gangsta steppin right here! lol You TRULY would have had to grow up in Chicago to understand! Back in the 70's, the men did all the STEPPIN, while the ladies stood back and watched! REAL TALK!"

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2. hazeleyesChicago
"@ MrGucciboo - You had to have been there, back in the day and even now to understand the Steppers culture in Chicago.  Steppin' is a way of life here.  Steppin' is such a hot style of dance when done well.  The men in the video are "Free Styling", which allows for so many types of moves, as well as dancing with opposite and/or same sex partners.  The men in the video are doing some very stylish and hard core moves.  Don't focus on their gender, focus on their moves. Those some bad ass moves. " 

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3. nettewash
"Now this is how you step, FREESTYLE! No looking like you're line dancing! Go ahead y'all, do the damn thing!"

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4. Ira Seay
"Dudes is cuttin it up!!!! Chitown STANDUP!!!!"

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2012

5. Dominique Ali
"That's some old school steppin!!!!"

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6. hazeleyesChicago
"Men have been Boppin' and/or Steppin' together at least since the 50's.  I remember watching the gang members back in the day, in the 60's outside the corner record store boppin' on 61st Street, the south side where I grew up.  My mother still talks about how those "cats" could jammm!  I took Steppers workshops in the 90's and the men practiced with each other.  Cool as hell, stepper smoooth...."

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7. Carla Ford
"my big brother was one of those steppers back in the 70's......he did this 'show off' thing with his guy friends....it was like a mating call for the ladies who were there at the party......he was and still is a ladies man...he had ALLLL THE GIRLS....he is all man...all the time.....and I'm from chicago.....we roll like that"

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8. Knot2005
"THE BOMB DOT COM. THESE ARE SOME SMOOTH MOVES. DON'T HATE, MOTIVATE!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!"

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2013

9. RemyDeLeMonde
"The people calling this gay obviously are NOT from Chicago, nor do they have people from Chicago. Steppin is a dance that everyone has fun doing, and men are seen dancing the step together in the R. Kelly "Happy People" music video."

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Reply
10. Black Girl Magic BGM, 2018
"And the women watched while just enjoyed them doing their thang.

If the women didn't mind why should you?"

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11. Arthur J
"I love this!!!. The brothas are cool, skilled, and comfortable doing their thing. Great energy between them."

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12. toogrown83, 2016
"soulbreeda a man has to be very comfortable within himself and his manhood to do this...black people in America  have a very warped sense of manhood... throughout the world it is not uncommon for men to dance with each other whether due to religious requirements or cultural reasons"

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13. Susan Miele, 2016
"They are just showing their moves. It's dancing. Doesn't matter who you dance with if you can move, move. I wish they had this everywhere. Everybody get sharp and go out. Sat nite. sigh"

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Reply
14. Treva Vaughn, 2020
"They are so smooth"

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Reply
15. Arthur J, 2020
"@Alexander Brown  A man dancing with a women doesn't  make you masculine, nor does dancing with a man make you feminine. Dancing is simply dancing."

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16. CuteeCupee
"Kicking it old school. Love it."

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17. Henry Gibbs
"O.G's Rocked it!!!!"

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18. Raheem Shakur
"PLAYA PLAYA's !...

THAT is STEPPIN!"

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2014

19. bacoia
"When I was in grammar school(many years ago) I would sneak into the high school parties near my home to watch the guys step together, it was something to see.....They had mad skills...."

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Reply
20. kitsolo9, 2020
"Thank you for sharing that. I was beginning to think I had false memories. Everything has changed so much. When I was in high school in the early eighties in Chicago the boys used to step in the gym and I would skip cut class to go and watch. At that time there were very few girls that could step. That didn't come until much later and even to this day it's normally the guys who show out and the ladies play it cool. Those men were SO smooth."

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21. cadillacstr8mk
"I grew up in Chicago and I remember back in the day  "the early 70's" the only people that really were Steppin were Straight up Gangsters Disciples ,and Vice Lords, Hardcore Pimps and Macks . What drew me to Steppin was the fact that these dudes were super cool with permed out hair ,Ocean waves ,Finger waves and Custom made Clothes, or we called them "Mades" and Stacy Adams shoes . That being said , Times are different now so I can see why people think it's "suspect" ! Back then nobody even thought anything funny because those dudes were know for criminal lifestyles."

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22. cadillacstr8mk, 2016

"Fa Sho !!!!"

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Reply 
23. Monica Williams, 2017
"cadillacstr8mk.  you are so right... ..grew up in Englewood they were banging and stepping. All the ganstas and pimps stepped they ass off."

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24. Real Estate Answers, 2018
"....But they holdin hands and everything!!! 🤢"

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25. REALLIFETv, 2018
"DL brothers...you would never suspect Them being gay because of they tough guy persona.""
-snip-
"DL" = "down low" This refers to keeping something -in this case one's sexual preference/s -secret.

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Reply
26. Suzie From the block, 2018
"cadillacstr8mk I think that  it’s very artistic, whilst it retains its macho image 🙏 I like it"

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Reply
27. CHERISH AMOURA, 2019
"I love it and it doesn't look gay to me"

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Reply
28. fefe917, 2019
"Yes!!!!!! You better tell em!!!!"

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Reply
29. Anniece Washington, 2019
"I was just telling my husband that when I use to go to the basement parties this is what the guys did, they stepped together, sh&t* . . .what woman could step like that back in the day and we did not think any of them as being gay . . ."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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30. ricardo catlett
"Did u say where the women lol'' ?  Baby this is Chicago style stepping and most women could'nt keep up1 Or felt the need to get down on this song like men do!!"

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Reply
31. ricardo catlett
"See with women you rarely find the ones who STEP' and women in Chicago are so sophiticated'' and sometimes hard to approach on the Stepping tip unless you know em' But men hear a song and just start stepping and the beat a be so smooth that a man can't resist the oppertunity too Step and show his skillz even if it means STEPPING with another guy that's all it is Is fun!''

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2015

32. ayjay36
"Some stepping fools right there.  Get down. What are the songs?"

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Reply
33. joni baloney, 2017
"One of them is Mario's Call the Cops"

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Reply
34. Lee Jordan, 2017
"joni baloney And the James Brown  Band "More Peas"."

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35, Bronzeville Historical Society
"This is how I learned to step... watching my brothers stepping in the front room after we pulled the rug and waxed the floor.

I am four years younger than them... guess what we all still dance together"

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36. Rabi'a Keeble
"I love seeing these brothers show out with their steps.  It reminds me of Africa and the Middle east how men dance together!"

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Reply
37, mija288, 2021
"Yes. Exactly!"

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38. DeeDee Doted
"I don't believe it is "gay".  It is more of like a challenge/battle dance.  From learning about the HISTORY about stepping, it was said that they men started this because the girls couldn't keep up and weren't strong enough to effect some of the tricks."

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39. Slj Wilson
"Y'a'' don't have to understand that people can have fun and enjoy the mastery of steppin' without being afraid of ignorant people thinking this is a a bunch of homosexuals.  I miss this kind of steppin and wish I was back in the cityI was thinkin the same👌🏾"

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40. R. V.
"These Brothers are smooth!"

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41. Clockwork Red 
"This is brotherly love, the jewel some idiots will never comprehend"

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Reply
42. chicagorilla 21
"+Clockwork Red Right because they not from chicago"

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Reply
43. Big body Benz
"indeed"

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Reply
44. lala1milable, 2016
"I just think dancing with your significant other is a good way to nurture relationships. Not a big fan of a bro-mance.

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Reply
45. Cher yl, 2017
"I'm not from Chi-town but I get it. So cool."

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Reply
46. MrsRozier, 2017
"I've never seen 2 dudes dancing before... but I think if I can dance like this with my girls why can't the fellas... loved it!"

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Reply
47. Ayinde Murphy, 2018
"I remember once I was stepping by myself and a dude stepped in and started dancing with me. I thought he was gay at the time but now I see that maybe I was wrong".
-snip-
"Ayinde" is a Yoruba (Nigeria, West African) name for males.

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Reply
48. Tawanda LINDSEY, 2018
"Amen old schools understand"

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49. Carr !rene
"its like piano stride back in the day, Harlem Renaissance but only this time dance and body form.Nothing gay about it lol im not from the Chi but i know my history and this right here is history staying alive."

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Reply
50. Rod Shaw
"your so right. think of the b-boy breakers, pop lockers, boogalooers. Same concept. it's about the style, flash. who got juice."

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51. Connie Jones
"Before stepping it was the Bopping in the 70s still going strong HALA chitown walktown  Illinois"

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2016

52. Shari McHayle
"The first time I saw this video ,I fell in LOVE!!!!!  This is the tightest dance I have ever seen!! These brothers are casket sharp and looking good dancing!! I'ts not a gay thing--i'ts an art!! As a matter of fact I have shared this video with many people and they love it too. And by the way, I am from D.C and you guys need to come here and showcase your dance.  Breeze Dancers or other venues.  I watch this over and over, and each time it looks sharper! Thank you my brothers."

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53. G Abron
"Excellent dancing!! Folks stop with dem twisted minds!!!  Brothas having fun ain’t nuttin wrong here!   Do it now👏"

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2017

54. À la mode Design
"These guys are not gay. I know most of them personally. This is simply a demonstration of old school Steppin'. The reason they were not dancing with ladies is because they were demonstrating to the audience. Chicago Style Steppin' can be done with two women, two men, or a woman and a man. You simply need a leader and a follower, doesn't matter the sex. 😄."

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Reply
55. Big W Mack
"If you notice everyone has their own style.."

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56. StrikePython
"Terrance pitts you already know what goes down in the chi makes it way to the D and vice versa"

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57. Sharon Thomas
"Mississippi steps like that to."

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58. Anthony Taylor
"I know y'all saying this is a Chicago thing but with much love y'all it just don't look right"

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Reply
59. clipsahoii, 2019
"Lmaooo"

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60. S Henry, 2019
"@clipsahoii  This is a battle of foot SKILL thats it thats all. With woman its different more like a courtship dance.."

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61. ɴᴅɢᴏᴄʜʏʟᴅ ♊
"if you so bothered by seeing two men stepping together then you should question your own sexuality.  Everything ain't sexual.

This step is the bomb..".

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Reply
62. Darkness, 2021
"Word!"

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63. Mali Rabbit
"I like his long white shoes! Back in the day we called them tic tacks!"

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64. Truthful Rating
"The baddest steppers everrrrrr. I love it"

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65. Janeen White
"Love it! Excellent job, fellas!"

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66. Baby Doll
"Is Taboo still stepping??? He is awesome!!  More of him please."

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Reply
67. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Yes he is

He teaches a class in Detroit"

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68. Nichole Royster
"Nothing but some real brotherly love.."

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69. Leon deVose
"Two things to consider (I know I am late to the conversation).  First, in West and Central Subsahara Africa (and many other cultures), dancing was a demonstration of virility.  Men who could not dance skillfully were considered as weak.  It was as important to dance as it was to hunt game and protect the village.  The men were considered as strong on the basis of their ability to demonstrate mastery in dance.  A few years ago, I enjoyed a Nigerian Ibo birthday party.  The men were the ones "dropping it".  Remember, you need good knees to drop it and pick it back up again. 

I am 57.  I grew up during the 60s and 70s.  During this time a guy who wanted to have any romantic success had to have three qualities.  He had to be able to sing the love classics (Motown, Soul) (privately in her ear at least), he had to look, smell and dress clean.  He had to dance.  If you were lacking these, it was hard to obtain the key to beginning a relationship - "the digits'.  Of course later, he had to show that there was more to him than partying, primping, pimpin' and singing - like work ethic, character and some kind of plan.  No, this system was not perfect, but, well that is another discussion.   I had a jump, because despite my overwhelming insecurity, I was a musician, and when behind my instruments a monster, so... .  Think of Andy Kaufman after his conga performance. 

A lot of words here, and I apologize, but I first saw guys dancing together during the advent of disco.  The "Hustle" was big, so a lot of guys would work out elaborate routines with whoever was readily available - brothers, sisters, cousins, runnin' buddies, etc.  At a party you would see two guys who were by no means other than straight, dancing in solid sync.  It is like @ricardo_catlett said, that for men it was a demonstration of expertise, not sexuality.  They developed their skills with those who were willing to perform with them, and "do 'da' thang"!"

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Reply
70. steezie steezie
"Leon De Vose, II IT JUST LOOK SUSPECT((FLATOUT!"

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71. Vassie Adams, 2018
"Sin and perverted behavior is not new."

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72. Vassie Adams, 2018
"Steezie,  its suspected gayness.  I couldn't hardly view this.  These  strange men, whatever they are flirting and performing for each other"

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73, Lancey Kersti, 2018
"Its a sin for them to dance? Lol"

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74. DJ B-1 Planet Funksville
"i have never seen two guys dance together  before"

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75. johnina Ryan, 2018
"What an education for you than !!!"

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76. Daren Terr.
"to the best of my knowledge,..there are a few of the men on this vid that have been around from the beginning of stepping... and they show how the freestyle has evolved....and make some wish they can step...thats just like old breakdancing( i guarantee,...theres some moves in BOTH dances you've NEVER seen, and probably never will)...wasn't a lot of women doing it....wasn't nothing gay about it."

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77. seuqraM014
"This is how we roller skate in Baltimore MD with the same tempo and music.

Oh and we skate as a mens trio. I swear it looks like they are skating."

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Reply
78. seuqraM014
"And it's all about the show boating. Who has the best or tightest crew. LOWRIDERZ!"

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2018

79. Imperial Dagger
"This reminds me of a dance competition at the annual Puerto Rico Day Festival here in Chi.  One year there was a gigantic salsa competition where there were all kinds of couples.  One male couple crushed and killed it so hard people were losing their voices from screaming.  And they won.  Que viva la fiesta y que viva el baile !!"
-snip-
Google translate from Spanish to English: "Long live the party and long live the dance!!"

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80. phillips Sykes
"Back then I we as black men didn't  haven't questions our manhood we knew what we about we always had a great time including our women they loved to see brothers on the floor who could step like these brothers here .CHICAGO WILL ALWAYS BE the birth place of the true STEPPERS  mister p from CHI long live the true steppers"

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81. Wonderful World
"Love it! This how it goes down in the Chi"

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82. djbhe
"Steppin or boppin has been around since the 60's and all the people talking about it looks gay are young or from somewhere that knows nothing about it. This is how the old school gangsters,pimps, hustlers and macks use get down back in the day. These guys are good but I know steppers from Chicago ten times better than them. It's plenty of videos on YouTube of it, go check it out. They dance with women also but these guys are freestyling. The only people that really know what time it is are people from Chicago and Detroit."
-snip-
The comments section for this pancocojams post includes an excerpt from another Chicago stepping video's discussion thread about the differences between Chicago stepping and Detroit ballwroom dancing.

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83. djbhe
"Old school steppin like the gangsters (GD's/folks) from the 80's with the long butters (finger waves) and Alligators & Foti shoes steppin to the JB's. I miss those days. Two guys steppin is normal for people from Chicago or Detroit. This is not no damn swing dancing it's steppin or boppin."

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84, Shante'a Goods
"To those confused on the guys dancing together, this is not uncommon in STL nor Chicago. The guys show off their moves, the women watch but eventually the men end up with women. I don't see it as gay at all. I love it and miss seeing my uncle move like this. As a kid well over 40 years ago, I too was on the side lines watching my uncle. This is not new."
-snip-
"STL" = Saint Louis, Missouri

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85. Don juan, 2016
"so tru  my family from both cities and that's how we dance men .father son mother daughter it don't matter I'm in sc right now and the  men here in clubs just sit around ......"
-snip-
"SC" = South Carolina

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86. Luz Estrella
"Two women can dance together and it's not a problem.  If you love dancing, you look beyond gender.  This is fabulous!"

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87. Lancey Kersti
"Its the ignorance of Black American culture that says that men can't dance together. With all the problems in the black community im glad to see them dancing together."

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88. Tee Oh
"Newbie question: Do they all know each other? Or, are there some fundamental "stepping" moves everyone knows? Seeing men dance with each other, that aren't gay, is taking some getting used to,  no matter how cool the moves are. I'm 51, from Jersey, and this is my 1st time seeing this."

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89. Eugene Wilkins
"It's Freestyle Stepping when Men can dance together showing off their footwork and aggressive turns which you normally don't do when a Man is Stepping with a Woman. This comes from Basement Parties when you are a teen mostly on the South and West sides of Chicago. In parties it can be common to see people multiple  in circles watching this at one party with different partners cutting in to show off their skill. Different cliques of young Men would be showing off with the best of that clique remaining as the lead."

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90. J Wilson
"Gay or straight, nobody cares. Check the moves. Chicago Steppin at its best. Thanks Gents."

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2019

91. JesusIsTheLordAndSavior
"I grow up in the Chi back in the 70's. After School, the guys would get together and step together so we could be ready for the weekend and step with the ladies.  YOu had to be on your game or you would be looking bad.  We stepped, played football, basketball, boxed and played pool. But when it came time to go out we all had our lady friends to step in style."

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92. 63 Impala Rag Dude
"I remember back in the day the men would hit the dance floor and step together to attract the ladies to the dance floor. It's not suspect, these guys have probably been stepping together for decades."

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93. 22mrwill
"I can step but these guys are true legends in the steppin games"

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94. patrick Meeks
"Anyone from Chicago like my self knows that this is gangsta"

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95. Hakim Sabir
"Kid and Play were never considered gay, stop it! These brothers are smooooooth!"
-snip-
Kid and Play were a popular Hip Hop duo in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This commenter is probably referring to what is called the "Kid & Play" dance move which in part involves two dancers facing each other and hooking their feet together as they dance around. Kid & Play performed this dance move in their concerts before and after that move was immortalized in a dance off scene in the 1990 movie House party.  The Kid & Play" dance move is still sometimes done nowadays for fun. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWyxVRdj-Gw for a video of that House Party dance off scene.

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96. Teena Phelps
"I'm from the Southside of Chicago, back in the 1970's we were doing the two step bop over there. I learned free style stepping from my friends on the Westside of Chicago."

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97. Daryl Kinder
"This is cold blooded. Theses are the legends of the Steppin game getting it in. They all dance lead and follow which is the point here."

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2020

98. cdamien900
"They dance together to try and match their skills . Like " Can you keep up with what I'm doing " , Or " Match This". Steppin  is a very old sport for Chicagoans back to the 1950's and still alive today ."

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99. kckgirl78
"This was the first steppin video I ever watched and I STILL love it! I hope these Brothers are still alive, well and doing what they do best, STEPPIN!!! 💖"

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100. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Definitely still here"

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101. kckgirl78, 2021
"@ONekki Montrea  So glad to know!! 🎉"

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102. Lynn Daughrity
"They bopping! Oooweee ‼️"

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103. Renee Henderson
"In the late 1960s/early 1970s, I remember watching the 47th Street Heavies of 47th and Ingleside (Chicago, Illinois) stepping.  They were so precise and athletic.  I loved watching them."

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104. Prince Saint James Xzavier Shabazz - Rockwell
"I RESPECT THE DANCE , ITS ALL ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME A SMILE IN YOUR HEART DANCE ON BLACK MEN I'M PROUD TO WATCH THIS WITHOUT ANY NEGATIVE MALICE ON MY MIND AND HEART"

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105. I AM Jovan Jones 12-8
"This is jus AMAZING!   I  LOVE MY city & my ppl!❤️💯👍🏿💪🏾"

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106. GABRIELA DAWSON
"Don’t nobody thinks it’s gay when the Fellas see us Ladies Dancing together we really gotta Quit all this Stereotyping each other and just have FUN...Much Love to The Windy City from The Big Apple 🍏 these dudes are Smoooth AF especially with their Footwork Keep Steppin in the Name Of Love I Know R KELLY is wishing he was at this Ball but he’d Definitely be Proud to see this video....Step In The Name Of Love Clap In The Name Of Love.🕺🏻🕺🏻"

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107. Renee Henderson
"In the late 1960s, I recall men dancing together because they danced so athletically that the girls couldn't keep up with them.  We used to watch and marvel."

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2021

108. AquilaChe #FBA
"They look like they are gliding!  Low key remind me of a b-boy dance battle! git it yall!"

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109. A Walker
"This is still lit in 2021"

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110. Ronaldo
"If it was two women nobody would say half of y’all not really homophobic y’all just got fragile masculinity or down low y’all selves because why you worried bout what two men do. And it’s not gay for two men to dance together even if they was gay why does it matter to y’all it’s none of y’all’s business."

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2022
111. Karen Figgs
"Now this is Old School, True Steppin. Their partners Must know how to step. This part wasn't for beginners 🤗 These brothers nailed it, as they worked the floor, loved it 🥰. Happy New Year All and many blessings in 2022💗"

** 
112. BoROC3000 
"Years ago when I saw this video it was one of the dopest displays of Chicago Steppin' and it still is... As one of the other comments said - These brothers put on a Steppers Clinic!"
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Visitor comments are welcome.
 
  

Chicago Stepping: Trio Dancing (information, videos, and comments)

Terronce TJ Estell 1 STEP ABOVE, Sep 13, 2009  We just love to have Fun check us out @ www.1stepabove.com

SONG -Sexy Can I

ARTIST -Ray J

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Chicago Stepping and showcases a 2009 video and a 2011 video of trio dancing. In this video, the trio is made up of a man dancing with two women. However, Chicago Stepping trio dancing can also be performed by three men or by two men and one woman etc. *  

Selected comments from showcase video #2's discussion thread are also included in this post. I'm particularly interested in documenting the adjectives such as "smooth",  "classy", and "elegant" that are used to describe this trio's dancing performance.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to these featured dancers. Thanks to the recording artist who is featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
*Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-chicago-stepping-tradition-of-men.html for some examples of three men Chicago Stepping trio dancing together.
  
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicago-stepping-information-videos.html for Part I of a 2013 pancocojams series on Chicago stepping. The link for Part II is given in that post.

Editor's Note: Chicago Stepping isn't the same as the steppin'[g] that originated with and is still most closely associated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
  
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Cheryl (Sugarfoot), Kirk, and Melanie winning Trio

sugarfoot4863, April 27, 2011

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHICAGO STEPPING
EXCERPT #1
From http://www.rockcityuniquesteppers.com/id13.html
"A Brief History of Steppin'

Steppin' originated in the 1930's as the Jitterbug. By the 1960's it was known as the Bop, which evolved into a unique style of its own called Steppin' – in the city of Chicago. Steppin' developed a phenomenal era of its own; it is not just a dance but the addictive aura of music, smooth moves, stylish dress (reminiscent of the 1920s) and the mood of a by-gone era. Steppin’ is truly a hypnotic work of art and captivates people of all ages and ethnic groups. As the saying goes: “Steppin' is a way of life.”

The suave rhythm of this dance which incorporates gliding, striding and dipping your partner during the 1950's and 1960's eras, to the popular music of young groups – such as the Temptations and other R&B artists – filtrated the African-American community across the United States. From the fashionable clubs (Peps in Philadelphia, Savoy in Chicago, and now at JT's Bourbon St. in Rockford, IL etc.) to the juke joints (speakeasys), Steppin’ – in the guise of the Jitterbug and the Bop – took root and found acceptance in both Black and White communities.

After the fall of the popular Disco era, the Bop was rejuvenated and became known as Steppin'. The emergence of Steppin’ contests and Steppin' Balls became popular, along with music seemingly reserved for Steppin’. Steppin' swept the nation as a dance that not only depended upon smooth moves and creativity but high fashion (chic dress by both the male and female steppers) to complete its ambiance. Steppin' is as much a part of the African-American community's culture and history as is its music from the early days of Jazz, and Rhythm ‘n Blues up to the current style of Soul and Rap music."...

****
EXCERPT #2

From http://thesteadysteppers.com/index.php/about-us/faqs [This link is no longer active.]
"What is Stepping?
Stepping is an urban, partnered dance art form that is indigenous to Chicago, Illinois. Steppin’ should not be confused with fraternity and sorority Greek stepping which is very popular on college and university campuses throughout the country.

What are some of the teaching methods of stepping?
For instructional purposes, counting methods (generally 6-count or 8-count) are used to teach synchronized movements during which times partners clasp hands and face each other. Steppin’ is done to smooth sounds of Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, or Rap music."...

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 

These are only a portion of the comments in that discussion thread that described that dancing. 

(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4KdY-JOCo

2011

1. desuora
"Great dancers, great dance."

**
2. webmasterdan
"Wow, I have not watched this one in a while. Still amazing. The actual name of this clip  if I remember correct was 'Atlanta Smooth and it was two versions of it'. This was the short version.  Don't ask me how I know. LOL Peace!!!!!!"

**
Reply
3. Betty Williams, 2013
"I love this one, I've been keeping it for a long time. There was another one call "Hot Steppin" that was with it. I lost that one. Bediane"

**
4. SacredEarth17
"Effortless!"

**
5. DeWanda Evans
"Simply Beautiful"

**
6. dadman1957
"Smooth. They look  like they enjoyed dancing together."

****
2012

6. C H
"I have searched YouTube and can't find this longer version.  Do you know where it is and could you post it?   This was absolutely beautiful...flawless.  It's always amazed me how some people are good, and then there are those who are outstanding!  'Smooth, indeed they were. Absolutely Awesome!!!"

**
7. hazeleyesChicago
"That was HOT!  Very cool and smooth trio.  They danced so well together."

**
8. Anthony Williams
"Damn, that was some smooth dancing, i must say they had their stuff together."

****
2013

9. Shay Jackson
"Yyyyyeeeessss they did that so sexy and smooth"

**
10. Deborah Sanders
"Flawless is the right word. Incredible too. This guy is truly smooth beyond words. The ladies are simply elegant."

**
11. genay33
"This is so smooth. Why don't they show this as a part of our culture rather than that booty shaking mess."

**
Reply
12. J P
"I agree this here is timeless and the body language is good between them unity and very classy"

**
13. Sonja Graves
"Did I just see three people dip at the same time ."

**
Reply
14. Rosalind Williams
"The coldest dip on the planet 12/14/2017"

**
Reply
15. Angela, 2020
"@Rosalind Williams   Artistry in motion"

**
16. Rosiland M
"that was awesome loved it so classy"

**
17. Frostgrl681
"This is very elegant."

**
18. valambiguous
"Kem is the artist...Find Your Way...is the title of the song."

**
19. yolie turner
"This is the stuff right here.  They are enjoying the dance, each other, the music and the audience can feel this. No hard super cool faces, just smiles and glowing.  He's doing his thing and they are supporting each other. No big show offs and the ladies being used as props. This is stepping at it's finest."

**
Reply
20. J P, 2020
"Indeed 👍 smooth and classy my people doing their thing"

**
21.  Nene Cage
"This was absolutely, awesomely BEAUTIFUL! I aspire to be just like them, as graceful and entertaining.  Great job!"

**
22. deborah sanders
"Can't stop looking at this graceful trio. they move as if they are floating on air. Perfection!"

****
2014

23. Althea Hence
"These are the best trio steppers I've seen yet. So smooth and elegant, so many people could learn a lot from ur video, very well done !!"

**
24. Felicia Walker-Hoskins
"Cool!"

**
25. L
"They're fabulous, love watching them!"

**
REPLY
26. Anthony Ali, 2018
"True playa"

**
27. Jeffery Ellison
"Again second to none cool slick"

**
28. Shary Armstead
"Amazing trio!"

**
29. phire lee
"I wish I could find someone to step with me like this...."

****
2015

****

2016

30. Brooklyn Chayse
"I adore this video from the beginning to the end as well as the song great choice in everyway especially the ladies and the gentleman what a fabulous style of dance so classy and just simply smooth and elegant how nice great work!!.."

****
2017

31. Son of Israel
"Yes do the damn Thang"

**
32. Rosalind Williams
"I give this trio an A+++"

**
33. Rosalind Williams
"This trio is the best of all time"

**
34. awomanwonderful
"Killing that trio! Steppers in the house!"

**
35. spin4u2
"Very smooth and elegant and  they don't really have set rules for dancing with two partners, at least as far as I know, so this  performance required a great deal of skill and creativity on the part of the dancers. Beautiful performance !  I loved watching from start to finish!"

****

2018

36. Therone Dawson
"Now this is smooth."

**
37. Charlene Dortch
"He did show love and appreciation for both of those women.. oh my God I fell in love with the trio.."

**
38.  Rosalind Williams
"I've watched this video so many times and it never gets old or boring.10/2018:

**
39. who's who who
"One of the best trio's I've seen.  So classy and smooth."

**
40. Regina Deans
"Do your thing Sir?....Yes Ladies come thru😘"
**
41. Yolanda Wellmaker
" Well Done Steppers! "

****
2019

****

2020

42. Rita Hendrix
"I was just going through the comments and couldnt believeI hadnt said anything!!!😍😍😍This is soooooooo cool!!!  We used to do this in school rec hall BUT  We were NEVER this graceful!!! So happy to see culture in motion!❤😍❤🎶😙👍🤗"

**
43. Rita Hendrix
"I couldnt believe I hadnt said anything because Ive only watched this at least a couple hundred times😆!"

****
2021

44. BF6ct
"Back when stepping was fun and less clickish"

****

2022

45. Bambi Loketo
"Smooth and chill"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome

What "Put Some Stank On It" Means (with examples from "What's Love Got To Do With It", "Liar Liar" and more)

MyRhythmNSoulTV, Apr 10, 2014

James Joseph Brown, Jr. (May 3, 1933 -- December 25, 2006) was an American recording artist and musician. One of the founding fathers of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century popular music and dance, he is often referred to as "The Godfather of Soul". In a career that spanned six decades, Brown profoundly influenced the development of many different musical genres."... -snip- Notice how James Brown is sweating profusely while he's singing and dancing. Sweating while he's "working out" results in funkiness (in more ways than one.) James Brown can be truly said to have "Put some stank" on his singing and dancing. **** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post presents definitions of the African American Vernacular English originated saying "Put some stank on it". This post also includes some online examples of that saying. The content of this post is presented for linguistic and cultural purposes. All copyrightts remain with their owners. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/11/what-african-american-originated-phrase.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "What "Put Some Stank On It" REALLY Means ("Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes - Put Some Stank On It | truTV")."

****
WHAT "PUT SOME STANK ON IT" MEANS
"Put some stank on it" means "to make something that you're doing funkier".

"Stank" in that African American Vernacular English originated saying is a noun. However, the word "stank" comes from the past tense verbal form of the word "stink" (i.e. "stink, "stank, "stunk".) 

Here's some information about how the noun "stank" came from the word "funky":
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk#Etymology
..."In 1784 "funky" meaning "musty" was first documented, which, in turn, led to a sense of "earthy" that was taken up around 1900 in early jazz slang for something "deeply or strongly felt".[8][9] Ethnomusicologist Portia Maultsby states that the expression "funk" comes from the Central African word "lu-funki" and art historian Robert Farris Thompson says the word comes from the Kikongo term ; in both proposed origins, the term refers to body odor.[10] Thompson's proposed Kikongo origin word, "lu-fuki" is used by African musicians to praise people "for the integrity of their art" and for having "worked out" to reach their goals.[11] Even though in white culture, the term "funk" can have negative connotations of odor or being in a bad mood ("in a funk"), in African communities, the term "funk", while still linked to body odor, had the positive sense that a musician's hard-working, honest effort led to sweat, and from their "physical exertion" came an "exquisite" and "superlative" performance.[11]

In early jam sessions, musicians would encourage one another to "get down" by telling one another, "Now, put some stank on it!". At least as early as 1907, jazz songs carried titles such as Funky. The first example is an unrecorded number by Buddy Bolden, remembered as either "Funky Butt" or "Buddy Bolden's Blues" with improvised lyrics that were, according to Donald M. Marquis, either "comical and light" or "crude and downright obscene" but, in one way or another, referring to the sweaty atmosphere at dances where Bolden's band played.[12][13] As late as the 1950s and early 1960s, when "funk" and "funky" were used increasingly in the context of jazz music, the terms still were considered indelicate and inappropriate for use in polite company. According to one source, New Orleans-born drummer Earl Palmer "was the first to use the word 'funky' to explain to other musicians that their music should be made more syncopated and danceable."[14] The style later evolved into a rather hard-driving, insistent rhythm, implying a more carnal quality. This early form of the music set the pattern for later musicians.[15] The music was identified as slow, sexy, loose, riff-oriented and danceable."...
-snip-
I added italic font to highlight those sentences.

In the context of this quote "having worked out" means to exert yourself so hard (to put so much of yourself into your actions) that you sweat, and therefore smell earthy. "Earthy" is a smell that is considered "stinky" (odorous), but it is proof that you "returned to fundamentals". Another way of saying "returned to fundamentals" is that "You got down to the real nitty gritty" (the essence, the heart and soul of the matter").

Also, theoretically, people who "have returned to fundamentals" don't mind how they smell or look. At that point, they aren't pretending to be sophisticated, or formal, or something that they aren't. Instead, they are "being for real" (They're the "real deal"). This meaning is the source of the phrase "Don't fake the funk" = Don't pretend to be something that you're not.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-funky-came-to-mean-something-good.html for the pancocojams posts entitled "How "Funky" Came To Mean Something Good (African American Vernacular English Meanings)".

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/04/online-excerpts-about-song-funky-butt.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Online Excerpts About The Song "Funky Butt" (Also Known As "Buddy Bolden's Blues") with YouTube examples"

****
SOME EXAMPLES OF THE SAYING "PUT SOME STANK ON IT"

ONLINE SOURCE #1:
[background]

What's Love Got to Do with It is a 1993 American biographical film based on the life of American music icon Tina Turner. It was directed by Brian Gibson and written by Kate Lanier. The film stars Angela Bassett as Tina Turner and Laurence Fishburne as her husband Ike Turner.

Adapted from Tina Turner's autobiography I, Tina (1986), the film follows her life from a rural upbringing to her rise to stardom, along with her abusive marriage to Ike Turner."...
-snip-
[movie quote]
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMSD151_oko for a clip of that scene. WARNING : That clip is full of curse words.
-snip-
In a profanity laden scene from that movie, R&B singer.guitarist Ike Turner lambasted his wife Anne (who later changed her name to Tina) for the way she was recording a song. Ike told her that she had to sing that song like she meant it and put some stank in it.

****
ONLINE SOURCE #2: Liar Liar Movie Clip

Maxwellhouser66, Sept. 10, 2014
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liar_Liar for information about the 1997 movie Liar Liar.
This clip from the comedy movie Liar Liar references the "Put some stank on it" words that Ike Turner said to his then wife Anne (who later changed her first name to "Tina"). 

Here's a transcription of this clip from https://able2know.org/topic/347052-1

SMickey, Tue 4 Oct, 2016
"I got this expression from the movie 'Liar Liar'.

 Fretcher, the lawyer is persuading his client to file a lawsuit against her husband,

and this is what he said.

 ------------------------------------

And how does he repay you ?

By dragging you through a painful litigation process !

No, no, no, no ! This can't happen !

With all due respect, this isn't about you and Mr. Cole anymore.

This is about all women.

Where would Tina Turner be right now if she'd rolled over and said,

"Hit me again, lke, and put some stank on it ?"

Rollin' on the river, that's where she'd be.

But she's beyond Thunderdome,

because she decided to send a message.

Wake up, sisters !

There's no-o-o-o-o-o... such thing as a weaker sex !"
-snip-
The commenter asked about the meaning of "put some stank on it" and the meaning of the line "She's beyond Thunderdome".

Here's the only reply to this query (as of June 28, 2022).

PUNKEY, Oct, 2016
"http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stank

 Tina Turner was in a movie called Beyond Thunderdome where she played a mean, powerful, sexy woman."
-snip-
Several urbandictionary.com entries for the saying "put some stank on it" are given in the Online Source #3 section immediately below this one. 

Also, in that transcription about Tina Turner from the movie Liar Liar, the phrase "Rollin On The River" cleverly refers to the title of a hit Tina Turner song. 

****
ONLINE SOURCES #3 [THREE POSITIVE URBAN DICTIONARY .COM DEFINITIONS FOR "STANK"]
There are fourteen urban dictionary.com pages for the vernacular meaning of "stank". Most of the urban dictionary.com entries for the word "stank" refers to stinky, malodorous body smells. Here are some entries from urbandictionary.com that refer to positive definitions for "stank".

These entries are given in chronological order according to the urbandictionary.com pages where they were found. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

WARNING: There are lots of profanity, sexual explicit content, and the n word references in urbandictionary.com's pages about "stank" and "put some stank on it".  The entries that are quoted in this pancocojams post don't include any sexually explicit comment or the n word. These entries may include profanity, but those words are given with modified spelling. 

1. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Stank&page=6
"stank

a person or thing that is cool, popular, amazing, awesome, ham, hard, the sh&t*

damn jessica yo shoes so stank

Jessica is the stank
by inyofacejessica December 15, 2010"
-snip-

*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

**
2. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Stank&page=7
"stank

The quality of being extremely cool, awesome, and/or above average with the humorous connotation of being dirty.

That model's stank. Watch her walk: stank, stank, stank.

by stank hole marc January 31, 2011"

**
3. "STANK

When something is dope as f&&k* and just sauce

That new mixtape is STANK af you gotta listen to it

by Ady💜🐼😏🍕☮️ February 6, 2017"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
-snip-
Here’s an excerpt that helps explain the use of the term “just sauce” in that comment:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/too-much-sauce/#:~:text=Hip%2Dhop%20artists%20have%20been,might%20impact%20a%20performer's%20image.

WHERE DOES TOO MUCH SAUCE COME FROM? "too much sauce know your meme"
"Hip-hop artists have been using the term sauce as slang for swagger and luxury-branded clothing and accessories since at least 2013. This sense probably came from the meaning of sauce as “something that adds piquance or zest,” as a designer watch might impact a performer’s image.

As an enormous spike in Google searches suggests, the phrase too much sauce was boosted in popularity by the August, 2016 release of the hit single “Too Much Sauce” by DJ Esco, Future, and Lil Uzi Vert. The single stayed on the Billboard Top 100 for 20 weeks, peaking in January, 2017 at number 50, a date that corresponds to an identical peak in Google lookups. The lyrics of the song describe the numerous designer brands worn by the performers. Though fans of hip-hop music might have heard the phrase too much sauce before 2016, the phrase was uncommon enough before the song that singer Future released a video to explain the meaning of the phrase. There are also no entries for this sense of the phrase in Urban Dictionary before 2016.

The sauce in the phrase has expanded beyond its original meaning of designer accessories to confidence and swagger. Men in particular, who are especially confident, are said to have too much sauce, as are cool or impressive songs, sports plays, or items.

[…]

WHO USES TOO MUCH SAUCE?
Too much sauce is often used by young people, particularly young black people, to compliment confident, talented, or attractive people or things in the same way bad is used to mean “good.”…

****
ONLINE SOURCE #4 [URBAN DICTIONARY.COM DEFINITION FOR "PUT SOME STANK ON IT"]
In contrast to the multiple urban dictionary.com pages for the word "stank", there are only two urban dictionary entries on one page for the saying "Put some stank in it". One of those entries can be discarded as it appears to be a diss at the actor Owen Wilson. And I believe the other urban dictionary.com entry for that saying (which is given as the top definition) approaches the actual meaning but misunderstands the actual meaning a "Put some stank in it".

Here's that entry from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=put%20some%20stank%20on%20it

"put some stank on it

(phrase), (sl) - Phrase meaning to add a personal flare, or special ability to any given task or action. As in throwing an especially fast fast-ball, or making a difficult billiards shot. This can be applied to almost anything where talent is a factor in achieving the desired result.

I've never seen such a shot pulled off under those conditions! He really put some stank on it that time!

by Haywood Jablomy 2 December 28, 2017"

****
ONLINE SOURCE #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-hqiIbPx64&ab_channel=CCo.262ndQMBNCHARLIEROCKS  "Thanksgiving Cadence Charlie Rocks Style" published by C Co. 262nd QM BN CHARLIE ROCKS on Nov 24, 2016

1. J D, 2017
"Thats how you call a cadence! put some soul into it!"

**
2. MFD, 2018
"Oh the PVT grew up in the deepest/blackest part of the Deep South Church. 😂"
-snip-
"PVT" = Private

**
Gijane S, 2019
"He put some stank on it....!!!! Go head troop...!!!"
-snip-
As explanation, a number of commenters referred to the way that the African American Private called (sung the call part of) the cadence) was  a reflection of his Black church choir background. Several commenters wrote that he added some "flavor" to the candence. 

****
ONLINE SOURCE #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbaFXjr41vI "LEVEL UP AKA POP YOUR FANS" published by TOPSHELF 67 Nov 15, 2017

Here are some commetns from a discussion thread for a YouTube video about African American (Soul) line dancing with a folded fan

1. Tajauna Thompson, 2018
"Ok so I'm sorry it took me a year to see this particular line dance but you'll killed that !  I've seen several different ones to this song and I have enjoyed them all but the use of the fans added some flavor and made it special . And to The young lady in the front that had on the black t shirt you're in a class by yourself I really enjoyed watching you . Your performance was smooth thanks"

**
Reply
2. TOPSHELF 67, 2018
"Tajauna Thompson Good Morning...Juice aka Roll With It sends her deepest gratitude.  She says that it was actually the Ambassador who encouraged us to put some STANK on it if you will.  Thanks for viewing and responding.  Have a great day.  The BEST way."
-snip-
I added italics to highlight this sentence. The "Ambassador" is probably the nickname for one of the line dancers in that group. The words "if you will" at the end of that italized sentence probably means "if you don't mind my use of that slang phrase".  

**
Reply
3. Tajauna Thompson, 2018
"Nice ideal it worked. Very well done it makes yours unique you'll have a good day as well .  I'll keep watching for more from you'll "

****
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Visitor commetns are welcome.

Africans Discuss The "Proper" Attire For Women Singing In Gospel Choirs (Comments From A YouTube Discussion Thread About South Africa's Joyous Celebration Gospel Choir)

MY Joyous Celebration, November 2, 2015

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2015 YouTube video of the South African Gospel choir Joyous Celebration performing the song "More Than A Conqueror" live at Carnival City, 2012.

This post includes the Zulu and English words that are sung for this song. In addition, this pancocojams post includes selected comments from the discussion thread for this YouTube video. This compilation gives special attention to the comments about the low cut, Western style dresses that were worn by female members of the choir, with the exception of the soloist.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Joyous Celebration and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
LYRICS - MORE THAN A CONQUEROR
(as sung by Joyous Celebration; discussion thread comment by Boitirelo Chakalisa, 2019)

UJesu unginqobele (Jesus is the conqueror)
Ngingaphezu komnqobi (More than any other)
UJesu unginqobele  (Jesus is the conqueror)
Ngingaphezu (More than)

Ngingaphezu (I am More)
Phezu komnqobi (More than a conqueror)
NgoJes’ iNkosi yami (Through Jesus my Lord)
-snip-
I believe that these words are in Zulu and English. 

**** 

SELECTED COMMENTS
(With special attention to comments about the women's dresses.  These are only a sample of the comments about how the women were dressed.)

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.  

2017
1. BONTLE L MOOKO
"I only understand English, that other part what are they saying..please help me"

**
Reply
2. THato aka poppy zia
"BONTLE L MOOKO is the same thing but now they singing in Zulu( nginga phezu komnqobi)"

**
Reply
3. Ronald Tapfuma
"still the same thing in Ndebele"

**
4. Ofentse Hamilton KAWE
"Beautiful song but how can the ladies expose their particulars like that?"

**
Reply
5. Alex Stivo
"HAMILTON KAWE I think the master who leads them is a man so women ♀ can't bear but just in case to follow him 😂 😂 😂 🙌"

**
Reply
6. linda tutu
"HAMILTON KAWE sometimes you dont realize they are that exposed."

**
Reply
7. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Particulars 😄 Smh."

**
8. clovis larsson
"nice song, but how can your ladies dress like this, who are you singing for the Lord or who, very bad"

**
Reply 
9. God's Phenomenal Girl, 2018
"Job 35:8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself and your righteousness only the sons of men..God looks at our inner man, our hearts not the outer us not dressing..it affects us sons of men but not God.."

**
Reply 
10. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"You're absolutely right Clovis. The devil is a LIAR! "Be ye holy, for I am holy." "

**
Reply
11. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"If this was done by whites no one would complain, but because it's our race so they should be told how to dress? We have been following the choir wayback and that's their style so i don't see a need to say so much on a sixteenth installment. Keep going JC as loyal fans we listen to the message not the person delivering it and most importantly not how they are dressed."

**
12. Victor G. Setuagbe
"Your songs are just a glorious. waooo, such precious talents of Africa. But I keep wondering what at all could be your motive behind these kind of costumes your ladies keep putting on for almost all your performances.

1 Timothy 2:9a (MKJV)  In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness...

Please these songs are supposed to be Spiritual songs and nothing else. Thank you."

**
Reply
13. New Original COGIC
"Most are Zulu's and it is not considered nakedness if the women are barechested in their culture"

**
Reply
14. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"@New Original COGIC  When we invite Jesus into our hearts and decide to live for him, HE alone must become our culture. Jesus Christ is a culture all by himself! And in that culture he expects modesty."

**
15. carol lenin
"I love your songs so much but please improve on decency in your dress codes especially ladies. The Lord doesn't change. He is the same yesterday today and forever more. So I don't expect an explanation of generational thing. We are Christians and we should practise what we preach. It makes me listen the to your audios rather watching the videos."

**
Reply
16. Jacque Brago
"Pls you people should dress properly and let's stop saying God deals with heart not the outward but is in that same scriptures that tells us that what comes out of a man is what has been full in his heart meaning how we dress comes out from the heart so you people should dress descently and I really love your songs."

**
Reply
17. Faith Netshiozwi, 2018
"carol lenin I see no problem though...But hey..Its your opinion"

**
Reply
18. NKALA PRECIOUS, 2018
"ae'm Anna Ewa its not a matter of being a western , I am a South African if you are in Christ you must change no culture and Christianity don't go together"

**
Reply
19. Miriam Luvutse, 2018
"The truth sets us free!  Been wondering too about the decency thing here..... it gives me shivers."

**
Reply
20. Sam Cheka, 2018
"carol lenin absolutely"

**
Reply
21. Sylvia Atieno, 2018
"anyone who finds this dressing finds something to sexualize here and thats just sick,...be blessed by the song and move on"

**
Reply
22. Miss Charlie Hackett, 2019
"THOU SHALT NOT JUDGE!!!!!!!!   WOW! You are willing to violate a commandment? Only GOD can decide about what they wear! You don't live in a glass house!! STOP JUDGING OTHERS!!! I love their singing to the Lord and so does HE!!! Sing sing sing and nevermind these judgmental fools breaking the commandments! Each of us will answer ALONE for our sins! Silly woman judging as if she is perfect! No. Sing, dress and be accountable for YOURSELF. DO NOT JUDGE!  There is a reason it is a commandment! STOP ignoring it! It is at the same level as thou shalt not MURDER so take it seriously and stop judging.

AMEN. Praise GOD and help those who run around judging others...they still don't understand ONLY GOD can judge.  ONLY GOD. ONLY GOD. NOT CAROL!  ONLY GOD."

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23. Ben the Worshiper, 2019
"The problem is not in them it is in you, so sorry"

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24. Liz Pasha, 2019
"I also listen to this song without watching video"

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25. Lord David Tirtowa Kodjo Lembo, 2019
"Hummmm wait until you go n worship with, among the Himbas...We wonder this dress code comes from here."

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26. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"It's not judging for a woman of God to speak on things pertaining to the scriptures with other women of God. As true Christians we are supposed to try the spirits and see if they be of God. If you can't tell those outfits are not God's way..🙏🙏"

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27. Caroline Wanjohi
"don't listen to criticizers keep it up"

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28. Molete Boitshepo
"Caroline Wanjohi I totally agree with you. what matters most it's what comes out of the heart. be strong guys coz people will always find a negative thing to say

But I'm loving the choir it's beautiful INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. LOVE YOU GUYS WHOLEHEARTEDLY"

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29. Olatoye comfort
"I mean u can't glorify  God  with indecent  dressing"

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30. Sheila Kimeu, 2018
"Caroline Wanjohi truth be told. and take corrections positively."

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31. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"Our cultures allows us to dress like that and there is nothing wrong at all. We attend shows to be blessed by the message they diliver not what they are wearing."

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2018

32. hackers mind
"Powerful songs.....but dress code takes your mind back into the world"

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33. James Koleta
"Guys I don't see any problem with there dressing cord because most of this guys are Zulus and they value there culture as any other African language group what comes from the heart matters a lot than what is presented outside"

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34. Onu Tochukwu
"Nice song... Nice instruments... Nice people... but I think the dress code is poor... it doesn't portray Christianity...!!!"

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35. gamu k
"Abo fashion police officers we see you😅😅😂

 

😂your comments are from 2017 benikhupi all this time mara??"

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36. Shateyi
"Pliz get better dresses"

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37. Fumfon Rosaline, 2020
"Nothing wrong with their clothing, you should instead check your heart and stop judging people. Shalom"

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38. DeCall Music
"i had no option than to put away all your videos bcs of your ladies exposing their bodies..

you sing great but you project immorality."

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39. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"👏👏👏"

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40. Carolyne wanj
"This song is very powerful and it inspires my heart to worship God more,if the ladies improve on their dress code ,then this will be more powerful..Corrections are meant to make you better."

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41. Sipho Manqele, 2019
"Everyone on stage don't dress themselves, there's a stylist who provide wardrobe. He consults with bosses and if they say "yes" to whatever look he sells to them, then everyone will wear it. It's not that the ladies picked those outfits, it's a uniform liked by the owners of Joyous Celebration Foundation. They think "The brand" then the individuals on stage."

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42. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Agreed Carolyn. It's never appropriate to have your body exposed as a woman of God whether you're on your own in church. People of God need to be spiritual minded, otherwise, you get mess like this."

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43. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"@Sipho Manqele  As true people of God you don't take your que from a "boss" or from a vendor, you take your que from the Holy Spirit, and I can tell you for a FACT, the Holy Spirit did NOT swnd for, or approve these outfits. Be more spiritual 🙏😇🙏"

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44. jackline njeri, 2021
"I agree a powerful song with powerful message, the dress code though.."

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Elice E
45. "powerful song🔥🔥 And I love the diversity in your costumes, we grew up in different cultures and I truly believe what one believes to be modest is not another person's modesty and the Jesus I know looks at the heart. Hence anybody else's interpretation of your heart does not matter."

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46. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Sounds nice, but untrue. These sisters outfits are the definition of inappropriate  especially for public ministry."
-snip-
That word was written in bold font in that discussion thread.

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47. godfrey king
"When white people wear their clothes all you don't have nothing to say praise the Lord nice"

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48. bernard coulibaly
"it's simple just change yr color"

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2019

49. saj humble
"The song is great but the dressing is very worldly and promiscuous"

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50. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Agree. Not Godly at all. You would think there would be at least ONE woman in the group to explain that, but..."

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51. @momanyimose
"This is the highest deception in the   church I have ever seen, open breasts at the Altar ofJehovah!!! Just dance, dance all your way to hell..."

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52. Gideon kipkoech
"cover your Breast worshippers!"

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53. The Eagles Gathering
"The song is beautiful, but there is no nakedness in the presence of the Lord. Please have the fear of God even in your dressing"

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54. Stella Walda
"That Dressing code, No.

The song is awesome💜💜💜"

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55. Manassé Restoré
"There is no culture in serving the Lord, please Ladies put some clothes on! Cover your body completely to worship The I AM that I AM. Thanks. I do love the group, i always worship with you, I'm not judging at all !!!!!"

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56. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Good word my sista. Thank you."

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57. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"Lol you just did"

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58. Gibbs T Gumbo
"Whilst all of you are talking about what is decent & not...i will  live for that lady dancing in the crowd,i doubt if you all noticed her,SHE IS DANCING FOR JESUS '....... big up JC"

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59. Davies Mataza
"So, no one is paying respect to the pianist and drumist ? He killed it!"

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60. MatlinLtd Co, 2020
"I agree."

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61. Steven Levitt, 2021
"The bassist 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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2020
62. StrongnBeautiful
"Idk who came up with the idea for their wardrobe, but they are obviously not spiritual. Sad."

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63. StrongnBeautiful
"First time hearing of this group. Loved the song, then I look down at the video and saw the women's outfits 😯😕😖 People of God, do NOT let the devil fool you with his lies and nonesense. As TRUE people of God, what we wear ALWAYS matters! There is a standard to holiness and it goes far beyond ANY culture. Wonderful praise but please, study your bible more, and 🙏🙏🙏 Also, FIRE your stylist. Thank you. PtL! 😄☺😇"

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64. StrongnBeautiful
"The dress is inappropriate. They need some SPIRITUAL aged women to guide them.  May the Holy Spirit help them, as he continues to use them."

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65. Velmah Hongo
"Powerful song....but DRESSING CODE FOR THE LADIES IS A NO!"

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66. D.J. #watchthisgamerevolves
"Ladies you worshipping god at least cover your bodies properly... Love the songs tho...."

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2021

67. Gladys Ndzinisa
"Ohhh yes we will conquer even covid"

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68.  OBI DANIEL AKACHUKWU
"The song is good. I love the lyrics

Please some of  the #dressing isn't okay.

They are all ministers and should pls be cautious with what they wear"

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69. Steven Viyano
"😭😭😭 This song ministered to me when I had lost faith"

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70. d_yt
"I just love how she gave the mic to the audience. I was literally shouting at my screen "I AM MORE, MORE THAN A CONQUERAAAAAHH THROUGH CHRIST MYYYY LORD!" 😂😂😂"

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71. Melissa Mathema
"so its in middle of the pandemic and i cant help but sing along this amazing song ngoba usinqobele mpela uThixo!"
-snip-
Google translate from Xhosa to English: “for God hath dealt bountifully with us”

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