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Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Why Has 803 Fresh's 2024 Hit Song "Boots On The Ground" ("Where Them Fans At?") Become A Black American Anthem?



803Fresh, May 15, 2025 
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This video includes the lyrics for this song.
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Statistics as of May 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM EST 
total # of views -3,810,778
total # of comments -4,438

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the official YouTube music video for 803 Fresh's song "Boots On The Ground" (When Them Fans At?").

This post also presents information about 803Fresh and information about his megahit song "Boots On The Ground". In addition, this pancocojams post includes some of the comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread that answer the question "Why has "Boots On The Ground" ("Where Them Fans At?") become a Black American anthem?"

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

All copyrights remains with their owners.

Thanks to 803Fresh (Douglas Furtick) for composing and singing this song. Thanks also to Trè Little*Jaterrious Trésean Little) for choreographing the dance that is associated with this song. Thanks also to all those who are associated with this song and this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT 803 FRESH
https://awesomedjproductions.com/artist/803-fresh/
"Douglas Furtick a.k.a. 803 Fresh was born in Augusta Georgia on February 19 1990. he grew up in Hollow Creek, a place in the Wagener-Salley area. At 8 years old, Douglas started singing publicly at the Union Hill Baptist church with the persuasion of his mother.. Upon his father’s passing at 14 , he joined a local community choir called The Cedar Brach Association Youth Choir, where he toured the most part of the east coast. Soul music was always present in his life so as time progressed, Douglas slowly started coming into his own."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" SONG & LINE DANCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQxQZV66Bl8

" "Boots On the Ground: Where Them Fans At?" is a dance song written and performed by Salley and Wagener, South Carolina native Douglas Furtick (stage name 803Fresh) in 2024.

The song is strongly associated with the "Boots On the Ground" soul line dance, with Jaterrious Trésean Little, aka Trè Little of Newnan, Georgia credited with creating the dance steps.[1] [2] [3] The popularity of the song was enhanced by a TikTok challenge.[4]

On the week of April 26th, 2025, the song was ranked Number 1 on the Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales chart and has remained Number 1 for five weeks.[5]

The official video for the song, shot at South Carolina State University[6] featuring their Marching 101 band, debuted May 15, 2025 on the Sherri Shepherd Show. As of May 26, 2025, the video had 3.7 million views[7], and the song posted to the 803Fresh YouTube channel had 5.6 million views[8].

Celebrities and public figures filmed performing the dance to the viral song include news anchor Robin Roberts on Good Morning America[9] with dancers set to perform at the Library of Congress[10], former First Lady Michelle Obama[11], singer Beyonce on the Cowboy Carter Tour,[12], 2024 US Presidential candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris[13], performers with UniverSoul Circus[14], and the Atlanta, Georgia police department[15]. Numerous 2025 high school, college and other graduations also featured the song in their ceremonies.[16] [17] [18]

Cultural experts and journalists have identified a love of community and a need for connection[19] and resilience in a time of political change and uncertainty as contributing factors in the popularity of the "Boots on the Ground" dance and song.[20] [21] [22] [23]"...
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"Miss.Shirley" is the name of the 4 year old girl dressed in pink who is dancing in the official YouTube video for "Boots On The Ground".  

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DEFINITION OF ANTHEM
From 
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/anthem
"a song that has special importance for a particular group of people, an organization, or a country, often sung on a special occasion"

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
All of these comments were published from May 15 through May 27, 2025

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQxQZV66Bl8


Pinned by 803Fresh
1. @803Fresh1
"To Everyone Who’s Been Rocking With Boots On The Ground…

 This record started with us. With the culture.

It came from trail rides, from backyards, from real life moments , not marketing.


It’s spreading because of the joy it gives people.

As it grows, I just want to say: thank you.

For dancing. For sharing. For seeing yourself in it.

We know how this goes.

When something from our world gets big, people try to take it, flip it, water it down.

But not this time.

Because this moment , this joy, this win, belongs to US .

And we’re going to protect it.

This is for the aunties, the steppers, the kids, the OGs.

This is for anybody who’s ever been told we don’t have nothing.

Boots On The Ground is proof we’ve always had something, and now the world sees it too.

 

Keep moving.

Keep loving.

Keep showing up.

– 803Fresh"

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2. @OpinionatedOG184
"Hey Fresh, this song is way more than a song. Your extremely popular and powerful song is now a movement. It’s us moving back to that place of togetherness, loving each other and relearning collective respect and appreciation for each other. No more sharing our things, gifts and talents with those who may not desire to just share only. Our culture is ours! It belongs to us. While others may appreciate it, the movement is us not selling our stuff to be claimed by those who mean us no good. We’re back to fully and completely being TOGETHER AND UNIFIED. And Fresh, you can proudly take some credit for being a unifier with your artistry. Nobody could have done this but you! You and your song did this! And that’s why it worked! We needed you. You stepped up. And you understood the assignment! Thank you 803 Fresh. You delivered!"

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3. 
@shortydowop6534
"Love this!!❤. Thank you for bringing us so much joy with song!!!😍😍😊. Lord knows….. we need it now more than ever!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾"

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4. @natashabra
"Perfectly stated! We have nothing but love and support for you. Thanks for letting people know SC has always had great talent too! Congrats on the success and continued blessings! 🎊👏🏾❤❤ #columbiasc"

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5. 
@snickypeewright833
"I am so proud to see my hometown get recognition for something good. Orangeburg SC home of South Carolina State University Bulldogs. Born raised and still live in Bulldog country."

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6. @GoddessYemaya
"ASÉ & Thank You we love & support you & we riding with our boots 👢on the ground all the way to the TOP as a BLACK PEOPLE as a COMMUNITY & as a VILLAGE AS ONE/ TOGETHERNESS 👌🏾💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥🖤✊🏿❗❗❗"

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7. @Carolyn-vh4nz
"This is for anybody who’s ever been told we don’t have nothing.".....and the ones saying we have no culture!!"

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8. @maatembracing
"This!!!💯‼️💯‼️💯‼️💯 yessssssss!!! I declare and decree the narrative is now set for us to go forth in Unity with Peace, Love, Light, Happiness, and Abundance!!! This is OUR TIME!!! OUR BOOTS ARE NOW ON THE GROUND!!💃🏾🕺🏾💃🏾💃🏾🕺🏾🥾👢🥾👢🥾👢🥾👢"

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9. @nenee5243
"I love your spirit…thank you for giving us something to groove to forever!  Love from ATL 💙🥂"

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10. @Cnspeace777
"Video was dope ! You represented !"

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11. @xtrextrex
"Feels good that this global moment came right out of SC! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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12. @SFE25ive2
"This a banger though country Vibes for sure"

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13. @tita8202
"Let's not forget to give Tre Little from Georgia a shout out for coming up with the steps for the song/dance.."

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14. @Neferditie23
"Inspirationally and beautifully well said! Thank you for your contribution to our culture and our music.❤❤❤"

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15. @ms.collosal9086
"👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 South Carolina stand up!!!!!"

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16. @ranib3678
"❤❤❤❤ We thank you!! Thank you for the POSITIVE IMAGE OF US! Amen protect this brother!

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17. 
@keshiamischelle69
"A mic drop moment.  As a native South Carolinian and two-time graduate of my beloved SCSU, I’m extremely proud of you!!!  This song and the choreography that accompanies it is a movement!  You have provided something that expands across generations.  WE support you 💯!!! SALUTE! ❤💙"

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18. @charlesrodgers2862
"You did the damn thing.  Sho nuff cookout,  family reunion,  backyard party 🎉🎉🎉🎉"

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19. @sheshowoutmedia
"Keep this soulful music going.  God is blessing me with visions of my mom dancing 💃🏾 in heaven to Boots on the Ground."

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20. @b.hopetoday
"Love you and we support you.   It brings people together with joy."

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21. @carefuld9779
"I am dancing in my kitchen in Canada 🇨🇦 💃🏽Congratulations, on the success of the song and uniting us as one. ❤❤"

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22. @bbutler7158
"❤❤❤ we going global! 👌🏽 This song can only spread love. 🤩"

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23. @AndreaCallahan
"You gave it to us at a time when we needed it most. Thank you 803✊🏽🫶🏽💪🏽"

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24. @ladyhawk9126
"Thank you for this reminder and statement!! Thank you for everything you are doing to spread joy and encourage loving ourselves and each other for what we bring 💖💖💖🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽"

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25. @oneofone9552
"This song, the video, the movement! Thank you for keeping us lifted AND rooted! No matter where we hear it, we unite and celebrate each other in the moment, that is powerful. In uncertain times, you gave us an anthem that we will never forget and a video that just shows who we are, Black Joy is all of us and nothing can take it away. Boots on the Ground, kicking up some dust in Florida ❤"

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26. @Moshechild
"Certified us…can’t be gentrified!!!"

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27. @lamontwhite7752
"We love that you gave us something so enjoyable and it's allowing people to create good memories please continue  to bless us as the Lord blesses you"

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28. @justisiempre4105
"Bless you!  You have said and done it all!  Just folks being real, dancing, and having fun!   Sharing love and their joy every time folks "put their boots on the ground"  is tremendous!   Thank you!  We're loving this "cookout"!  Peace and blessings!  💙💙☮☮☮"

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29.  @brentduanefoster
"@803Fresh1  Checkin' in from San Diego, CA!

 You gave us an ANTHEM, Fresh!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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30. @dympiece
"This song gather our culture together so quickly lol. Nothing but great vibes! This easily the top song at trail rides now"

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31. @heyg0ld
"Seriously, thank you so much for this medicine I didn’t even know I needed. Success and blessings to you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼"

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32. @blessedhighlyfavored2132
"I'm enjoying this coming togetherness ❤ and everyone having a ball dancing ,grilling, with their boots 👢 and fans hand and hand in Anderson SC."

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33. @iamNell
"Proud to say I've been supporting from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 so happy to see how far this has reach. All the best to ya"

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34. @prometheous318
"Its the black anthem!!! I love it❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉"

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35. @L810aveKD
"The ancestors are smiling on you my brother ✊🏿🫡"

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36. @latashafarmer1609
"Thank you for this video!! I just love the celebration of us and our culture. We are such a beautiful and resilient people. I wish every last of us understood that we should always look at ourselves with pride. We don’t just survive. We flourish!!"

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37. @AhmariSloan-w6p
"We are doing this dance for one of are family members that passed"

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38. @jeremiahgilmore32
"He kept this so black, South Carolina, and just positive. Thanks for giving this song to the world. Congratulations"

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39. @jaybee4307
"True, but this song is crossing all color lines and unifying everyone.  It's lovely."

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40. @DrBeauHightower
"Bro just casually made a generational classic in 2024"

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41. @Vivaciouslight730
"For sure, I saw the attendees grooving at this at the VSU commencement May 2025, shout out to all of those future Engineers, Teachers, Doctors, Nurses, Scientists! Glory be to your God🫡!"

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42. @Blakeness-x3t
"Love this! No cursing, no over sexualizing black women, no criminal talk, no drug talk, just good ole fashion fun like we used to have."

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43. @ChrisOConner
"So honored that I was chosen to Direct this music video. I love reading the comments, and I’m proud that everyone loves it. I LOVE seeing my people have a great time together, and I’m proud to have been able to capture it on camera. What an honor. 2 Millions and counting!! 🚀🚀💪🏾💪🏾"

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44. @mrsmusic6985
"You did a beautiful job! This video embodies the authentic black southern experience."

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45. 
@ChrisOConner
" @mrsmusic6985  Thank you!! I’m a southern boy myself, so I had to make sure we got it right! Lol🙏🏾"

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46. @TheRonnieaj
"I get so much joy watching this. Thank you for capturing Black joy in its purest form. 🙏🏽🙏🏽"

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47. @OhDatsJaVion
"Love how he’s displaying the BLACK BELT REGION OF SC (majority black American rural counties, which is most of South Carolina ) from the original cowboy life (black cowboys) to HBCU’s,D9, fish fry, black Americans owning LARGE amounts land/summer soul food kick off’s etc ! It’s just a beautiful to see"

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48. @johnwebb2442
"Facts"

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49. @KendyK_All_Day
"Periodt.  ❤❤❤❤❤"

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50. @juswolf22
"I ain’t seen generations of black people in sync like this over music in a long time."

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51. @his1day
"Sooo true! I hadn’t even thought about it like that. From the young to the old. The saints to the aints 😂👢"

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52. @donneiacaprice
"That's the best part about it!!💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾"

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53. @thebestdanaever3396
"Since the electric slide😆🤣"

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54. @8tre-z
"I’m talking I ain’t seen it since the Cupid shuffle 😂😂💯"

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55. @fillgap9694
"Really, every line dance in America, you gun see that"

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56. @Leogirl1-q8d
"I love it!! Congrats to 803 Fresh!! No supermodels...no fly dudes...its just normal beautiful people and black culture enjoying themselves!!!"

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57. @johnwebb2442
"The Summer Anthem for Black Family Reunions and Cookouts."

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58. @madisonpyles774
"This is one of them, timeless songs that we gonna carry on. I’m a play it when I’m old. I’m like you don’t know nothing about this."

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59. @feliciaglover8521
"Classic this song is going to be right up there with the bus stop and the electric slide every cook out and wedding lol"

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60. @teeharrison2928
"U know it."

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61. @mribbon89
"This will be played at cookouts for the next 30 years and beyond. Instant classic."

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62. @EastwoodEdgewood
"SAY IT LOUD..I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD!!!!!❤💃🏾🕺🏿❤🙌🏾💯"

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63. @srvgjohnson
"James Brown- native South Carolinian!"

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64. @TamaraGarrettAlpha
"❤️🖤💚💫👑"

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65. @Ms1001k
"This song is a reminder that no matter what “they” say  or do , Black folks have  the gift of joy!!"

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66. @bribri8042
"Amen! No one taking that away."

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67. @cherietillman
"❤❤❤❤you are absolutely right ❤❤❤"

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69. @lucillestoudemire387
"Yes put the right song on and all tension leaves the area and the body gets to moving!!"

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70. @marybrewer782
"Nothing can keep us down❤❤❤"

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71. @nessiezee8887
"Is it weird that I cried?  I so love this. We got our frats, educational institutions, sororities, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, celebs, and real people and we in the south!!! I love this so much!  What a great video!!! And the vintage car on top of all that."

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72. @Motivational-Paradise1
" "Boots On The Ground" is like that first shovel breaking dirt on a new foundation – it's all about the raw effort, the groundwork, and the relentless belief that if you put in the work, the crowd will eventually find you. It's the sound of the ambition before the applause, asking "Where Them Fans At?" because the hustle is already happening. #motivationalparadise1

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73.
@theoldschooldiva374
"This song is so uplifting!! Thanks to all involved in the making ....along with the dance 🙌🏿💪🏿🙏🏿"

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74. 
@MaryDavis-x4q
"Congratulations 803 Fresh

I love this dance and watching everyone smiling and having fun! We have so much talent to share, this is our summer fun anthem! "Boots on the ground summer! Thank you 803 Fresh, you will make the difference for all the summer parties! Dance for all ages!"

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75.
@rockoblue1011
"I’ve genuinely never been so happy for a stranger ! This man is putting southern soul on the map. The whole south reaping the benefits of this hit. Southern soul has never gain this much attention. BB king once said “ The blues don’t die, it just gets better & better” I LOVE MY BLACK PEOPLE 😍🥹"

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