Examples Of African American Vernacular English In YouTube Discussion Thread Comments About UCLA Gymnast Nia Dennis' Viral Floor Exercise (1-23-21)

Starr Cards, Jan. 25, 2021

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the floor routine that UCLA Gymnast Nia Dennis performed on 1/21/2021 during a gymnastic competition with Arizona State University.

This post documents some online comments and tweets about UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis' 1/21/2021 floor routine that include African American Vernacular English terms and sayings. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/01/comments-about-ucla-gymnast-nia-denniss.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents excerpts from online articles and a sample of  online comments and tweets that indicate that Nia Dennis' 1/21/2021 floor routine was "a celebration of Black excellence" or "an ode to Black culture" or are written in response to  questions about the appropriatness of using the qualifier "black" in a description of that floor routine.

The content of this post is presented for sociocultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Nia Dennis for her awesome floor routine and thanks to the UCLA athletic team.  Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.    

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SELECTED COMMENTS
These are some of the examples from these YouTube video discussion threads of  comments that include African American Vernacular English (AAVE). These AAVE words, phrases, and sayings are  given without highlighting them and without providing any definitions.

All of these examples are from January 25, 2021 or January 26, 2021. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

Excerpt #1

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB79emH0Ca0&ab_channel=StarrCards

[This is the video that is embedded in this post. The comments are from that video's discussion thread.] 

1. Cajun Girl
"Ummmmm blacknificent 😍"

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Reply
2. Lekeasha Brown
"Say it louder for the people in the back🗣🤸🏾‍♀"️

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3. pmf2241
"Yes, slay girl, slay!! You took my breath away! Such grace & power! You killed it! 👏🏻👏🏻"

** 
4. Stevo T'Loaded
"Perfect! Only issue is that it wasn't long enough! Congratulations you bodied that Nia!"

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5. Brenda Chatman
"Get it GURL!! 👸🏾🔥🔥"

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6. Valencia Shelton
"Ever flowing, N sync with the rhythm of your life! Excellence personified ♥️Black Gurl Magic can’t be duplicated!Loved your routine!"

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7. DC S
"Black girl magic.  Winning all month after her home state Queen sister Amanda Gorman.  🖤🖤"

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8. T2MARA
"Love the support she’s getting from her UCLA peeps on the sidelines!"

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9. Me Me
"BLAQnificent 💯👑🔥 (her teammate's enthusiasm is infectious)"

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10. Karen Henderson
"Speaking with HER voice - beautiful to see in a young woman. Badass moves."

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11. DENISE BUTLER
"BLACK GIRLS ROCK!!!!!"

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Excerpt #2
Nia Dennis - 2021 Floor Exercise (1-23-21)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZ4GvoZih8&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=UCLAAthletics

UCLA Athletes, Jan. 24, 2021

[This is the video that is embedded in Part I of this pancocojams post. The comments are from that video's discussion thread.]

1. Mine Arisoy
"she ate it up and left no crumbs"

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2. JuJu and WamWams
"Girlfriend threw a little crip walk in that routine. She’s amazing 😍"

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Reply
3. Dave Syakovich
"Yeah she did! She got to stackin there for a minute too👌✌👇"

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Reply 
4. Justme
"I thought I was seeing things when I saw her buss the crip walk"

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5. Juancho Rancho
"I noticed that towards the end great performance 💪💪🔥"

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Reply 
6. joycec96
"That was my favorite part. She kept it 💯 with that!"

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Reply
7. Kaitlyn Johnson
"Yessssss it's AMAZING, AWESOME and EVERYTHING ELSE.... Go NIAA OMG!!!!! She CRIPPED, DIPPED and took a SIP LOL....Yaaaassssssss!!!!!!"

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Reply 
8. AshlyMonet
"She did the heel toe 🤣💪🏽❤️"

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9. Luis Angeles
"That woah and naenae.. 😬😖 ohashi’s routine would always be the goat routine"

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10. MsTempestj
"Love her attitude when she hit the floor. "Yes I'm here and I'm going to show up and show out!" Loved everything about her routine, the music, the style, her form. Diva slayed it. Confident, strong, powerful, beautiful young lady."

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11. Mel Stewart
"Shine QUEEN 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"

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12. Imani Smith
"She’s sooo fire. Black girl magic ❤"

*️*
13. Naybaby's Account Kiss my a**
"It's the periodt at the end for me 💜"
-snip-
This screen name is given as it is found in that discussion thread. 

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Reply
14. Ambria Griffin
"Had to go back and look after this comment.  Yaassss! PeriodT! 🙌🏽"

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15. Athena Maggio
"She crushed it AGAIN!!! Damn Nia is on a whole other level"

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16. Emma Buckles
"What a mood and a vibe! The energy brings tears to my face! I love seeing all the girls in the back cheering her on, doing the routine with her- but still giving her the complete show WHILE giving total enthusiasm as she nails EVERYTHING. Thanks for sharing your passion and undeniable talent!!"

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17. Essence Nicole
"DID SHE CRIP WALK TO CALIFORNIA LOVE!!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽😞🙌🏽🙆🏾🙆🏾🙆🏾🙆🏾🙆🏾🙆🏾 MIND💨💨💨 I LOVED EVERY SECOND!!!"

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18. Yolanda A
"😀SCREAMING IN MY MARTIN VOICE 📣📣📣 "YOU GO GIRL!"  👏👏FABULOUS JOB!! ♠️🥇🏆"

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18. Marissa Billups
"You better work, Nia!!!! 🤟🏾🤟🏾🤟🏾😊😊😊😊❤❤❤. That's it 👑👑👑👑❤"

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19. Dalia Becil
"Omggg yeeess queeennn!!! 🤩"

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20. BaneBalt
"Fire performance sis🔥"

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21. Mz Modesty
"Come on SIS!!! Stuck every landing. Amazing from Beginning to END!"

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22. Heidi Marie
"Go Nia!!!!!! 💜💖💜💖 You did that😎😎💃🏾🤸🏾‍♀️🥇🎉🎉🎉"

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23. Kitty Kat
"Yall peep the coaches!! They was bopping!!"

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24. Sophia Chiaverini
"this goes harddddd"

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25. Annelise VW
"This gives me CHILLS every time!!! She is so talented and she moves with such confidence! You go girl!"

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26. Kyla Bingham
"@dennisnia #ForTheCulture Amazing. Powerful. Graceful. Beautiful. Athletic. Thought provoking. Not many people can invoke so many seemingly opposite feelings in under 2 minutes. And props to her music editor who  started off with Kendrick Lamar then incorporated Beyoncé, Tupac Shakur, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy and Megan Thee Stallion. They had a serious collaboration of her vision for her routine. That took some work and precision and timing. They even time the breaks in the music so you can hear her stick the landing. #PlannedPurposefulPowerfulSilence That 9.5 shoulda been a 10"

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27. CASHfromINDIANA
"You KILLED that G!!.. Love n Blessings QUEEN!!.. THE WORLD IS YOURS!!!!....."

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28. Stacey Harvey
"Black girl magic periodt!!!"

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29. Janet Dove
"Qween, loved this so much."

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30. Gibbs
"YAAAAAASSSSSSS QUEEN!!!!!!"

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31.  MONICA JONES
"Go head Baby❤"

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32. Oghyeah Oo
"Black is Beautiful!

Kendrick & Pac.. Nia just made history!"

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33. Kiyeko StarchildUnicorn
"I don't know you but I love you. Mad respect!!! 🙌🏾"

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34. Ponita Laussen
"she done did that!!!! props to you mamas and the team."

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35. Sarisa Sarisa
"Dope🌹♥️"

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36. Paola Tellez
"UUUUUHHHH Ms Nation you did THAT!!!"

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37. Ms Young
"She did that thang!!! 🥰🥰🥰"

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38. Brande Ellsworth
"UCLA Floor Choreographer deserves an award for the years of ah-mazing routines these athletes work through!  I love UCLA Gymnastics!!!!!  They know how to get the job done!  Props Ladies!"

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39. dragonfly111cute
"She owned that! Wow! I was just cheering for you out loud! Best floor routine!!"

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40. Geo Leo
"She hit the nae nae into the whoa into a double tuck. That's tuff"

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41. Travis Robinson
"See reminds me of Gabby,nSimone Biles even Dominique Daws from back in the day my era ☺️🙌🏾✊🏾all USA Gymnast that I love and admire! 🇺🇸 I’m after seeing you on the Lest Holt show tonight lol!"

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42. TheFraggler
"This is more fun and exciting to watch than the traditional ones that I usually see. It is nice to see some of our culture on the floor. Much deserved and girl just killed it."

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43. Lupe LLerenas
"If you can’t understand the magic Nia carries, you must be an uncultured person. She did Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion and Tupac Shakur with BLM all in one 🔥 UNTOUCHABLE!"

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44. Aria Miller
"OMG YASS"

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45. kayudvari
"She brings fire 💥💥"

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46. Alejandra Esquer
"Nia Nation tell 'em"

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47. Mic
"This is so great!!!! She killed it!!!"

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48. Nicole salas
"OK MISS QUEEEENN"

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49.  Shannon Ford
"Gone Sis with your crip walk!"

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50. Phillygirl215 _
"OFF THE CHAIN SISTER!!!!!!!"

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51. Uncle Nahshon
"Did she go crip walk and then heel toe? Yo sis went off with this routine. ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾"

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52. Ebizzill
"what's the name of the dance during tupac's song around: 1:20- 1:24"

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REPLY
53. Yaya Yaya 
"crip walk 😂"

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REPLY
54. Ebizzill
"@Yaya Yaya really? I know the one right around 1:23-1:24 is the c-walk.... but the one before it 1:20-1:22.... it's so... different, can you point me to a video to such a similar move?"

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Reply
55. Azizi Powell 
"I think the dance you are asking about it the heel toe. Here's a link to a video of the heel toe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojbbe2GLdWc&ab_channel=DanceKizombaTV "

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56. Regina Craig
"Well... she added flavor to that.

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57. Dondizm!
"SERVING!!!! 🤩🏆🔥🔥🔥🔥🦄🦄🦄🦄💕💕💕💕"

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58. nyg1984
"She served it up with excellence and pure joy 🤩🤗💕👏🏼"

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59. Nana
"Chile can y’all taste the flavor 🥵😍"

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60. Cinnamon Spice
"You go girlfriend the World Is Yours."

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Mildred Bailey - "Shouting At The Amen Corner" (Phrase Meaning, Sound File, & Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides definitions for the word "shouting" and phrase "amen corner" and showcases the lyrics and a sound file for the song "Shouting At The Amen Corner" as sung by Mildred Bailey.

A bonus video of a scene from James Baldwin's 1954 play "The Amen Corner" is also provided in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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THE RELIGIOUS MEANING OF "SHOUTING"
From http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/religion/praise.cfm
"One of the most important of these shared religious elements is the circle dance. In the United States, it is known as the “ring shout.” This is a ritual combination of music and movement that was widely recognized and practiced in the nineteenth century (although probably in use in some form earlier as well), and though much less common now, is still present in the more limited form of “holy dance” and individual “shouting” in many of the most traditional Black church congregations. It was a ceremonial activity created by people with roots in many different parts of west and central Africa who found themselves together in a difficult new land and were faced with the need to remember traditions that could enable them to survive here"...
-snip-
The African American ring shout changed from a circular, counter clockwise movement in the early 20th century when church pews became unmovable because they were bolted to the floor. Instead of doing a circular hoy dance, some people who felt the spirit ran around the church santuary or "shouted" in the church aisles. "Shouting" also refers to involuntary & voluntary exclamations by those who feel the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost).

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RELIGIOUS MEANING OF "THE AMEN CORNER"
A group of church members who continually shout “Amen” during the sermon in response to the pastor’s words. "Shouting" in this regard is more "exclaiming" than "speaking in a loud voice".

Most definitions associate the "Amen Corner" with Black Protestant churches. "The Amen Corner" isn't an actual location of the church's santuary. However, most definitions place the church members who belong to "the Amen Corner" to the front of the church where they can best be seen. That the members of "The Amen Corner" just "shouted" for show is included in this commentary from http://brenttrf.wordpress.com/2007/10/14/mixing-it-up-jazz-style-finale/ Mixing It Up “Jazz Style” – Finale
"The next highlight was a group called The Queen City Jazz Band. These guys had a mix of Jazz and Gospel that was very cool. They had an amazing vocalists named Wendy. She has more soul than anyone I have ever met. She did a version of amazing grace that brought me to tears. She also did a song called, “Shoutin’ In That Amen Corner”. She described the “Amen Corner” as the back portion of the churches she grew up in, in which ladies would sit and gossip and show off. Then when the sermon was preached there were the “loudest”(Amens) and most “responsive” in the service. Obviously they were very showy and hypocritical."
-snip-
Here's more information about the origin of the phrase "Amen Corner". I'm unsure if this information is true or not:
From http://golf.about.com/b/2007/04/03/shouting-at-amen-corner.htm
"Back around 1900, the center of Bible manufacturing was in lower New York City. The hub of that activity became a popular spot for sidewalk preachers to shout out the old-time religion (thus the song title). ... There were so many "Amen!" shouts heard each day, that the term "Amen Corner" evolved. Note: Our family Bible, which has been in the family for years, clearly lists the Bible manufacturer's address as ... Amen Corner, New York City."

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NON-RELIGIOUS MEANINGS OF "AMEN CORNER"
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Amen%20Corner
"Amen Corner

This is a group of sycophants within an organization that can be automatically counted on to agree with an idea if they think that the boss may be leaning in favor of it.

Will the Budget Committee go along with Dr. Tom L's proposal? Well, you can count on his Amen Corner to support him!
by Elvis Wearing a Bra on His Head Sep 6, 2005

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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta_National_Golf_Club
"The second shot at the 11th, all of the 12th, and the first two shots at the 13th hole at Augusta are nicknamed "Amen Corner". This term was first used in print by author Herbert Warren Wind in his April 21, 1958 Sports Illustrated article about the Masters that year.[14] In a Golf Digest article in April 1984, 26 years later, Wind told about its origin. He said he wanted a catchy phrase like baseball's "hot-corner" or football's "coffin-corner" to explain where some of the most exciting golf had taken place (the Palmer-Venturi rules issue at twelve in particular). Thus "Amen Corner" was born. He said it came from the title of a jazz record he had heard in the mid-1930s by a group led by Chicago's Mezz Mezzrow, Shouting in that Amen Corner."
-snip-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Warren_Wind
1958, Wind coined the phrase 'Amen Corner' to describe the second shot at the 11th, all of the 12th, and the tee shot at the 13th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club, site of the annual Masters Tournament. That nickname, which is derived from a 1935 song that Wind had heard while a student at Yale, -- namely "Shoutin' in that Amen Corner" written by Andy Razaf, which was recorded by the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, vocal by Mildred Bailey (Brunswick label No. 6655)
-snip-
(Italics added to highlight these sentences.)

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FEATURED EXAMPLE: Mildred Bailey - Shouting in that Amen Corner



2ndviolinist, Uploaded on Oct 21, 2010

MILDRED BAILEY acc. by DORSEY BROTHERS ORCHESTRA: Buny Berigan (tp), Tommy Dorsey (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl, as), Larry Binyon (cl, ts), Fulton McGrath (p), Dick McDonough (g), Artie Bernstein (b), Stan King (d), Mildred Bailey (voc). NYC, June 6, 1933
-snip-
Biographical information about Mildred Bailey is included in this summary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ0Hj-EL6jE.

Click http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/bailey-midred-mildred-rinker Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians for more information about Mildred Bailey. Here are excerpts from that information:
"Mildred Bailey was known as "Mrs. Swing" to her fans in the thirties and forties, and rightly so. She and fellow Washingtonian Bing Crosby were among the first white singers to incorporate the innovations of black jazz and blues. With a small voice and a wicked wit, Bailey's influence extends well beyond her years into subsequent generations of singers, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney.

Born Mildred Rinker in Tekoa, Washington on February 27, 1907, Millie was the oldest of four children. Her mother was part Coeur d Alene Indian, and the family maintained a farm on a reservation until they moved to Spokane when she was five years old...

Bailey herself was known for enlightened views on race relations, performing and recording with African-American musicians in her own bands. She also performed at a benefit concert in Harlem for the Scottsboro boys, nine African-American men who were falsely accused and convicted for raping two white women in Alabama in 1931...

Bailey's debt to black jazz pioneers like Ethel Waters and Bessie Smith can easily be heard on the series of sides she recorded for Brunswick in 1933 with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, which include the gospel-tinged "Shoutin in That Amen Corner". She also recorded at this time with Coleman Hawkins in a band led by Benny Goodman".

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LYRICS - SHOUTING AT THE AMEN CORNER
(Andy Razaf, 1935)

Brothers and sisters we got hypocrites in this crowd
Brothers and sisters some of you are shoutin’ too loud
You’ll find out on judgment day you can’t fool the Lord that way
Brothers and sisters hear all I’ve got to say

You can shout with all your might but if you ain’t livin’ right
There’s no use shoutin’ in that amen corner
If your name on that roll all that noise won’t save your soul
So stop your shoutin’ in that amen corner
Just because you’ve paid your dues doesn’t mean your saved
You can’t win them golden shoes if you haven’t behaved
you better think before you shout for your sins will find you out
So stop that shoutin’ in that amen corner

I can’t hear my own self praechin’
For your shoutin’ and your screachin’
You make me forget my text
Every meetin’ leaves me vexed
Why you come here and pray on Sunday
Then you serve the devil Monday
If you want to save your soul
Better get some self control

You can shout with all your might but if you ain’t livin’ right
There’s no use shoutin’ in that amen corner
If your name on that roll all that noise won’t save your soul
So stop your shoutin’ in that amen corner
Shoutin’ here don’t mean a thing if your playin; with fire
Change your ways or you won’t sing in that heavenly choir
Makes no difference how you look if your record ain’t in that book
You’ve heard my preachin’ every one
so put old satan on the run
So stop that shoutin’ in that amen corner

http://brenttrf.wordpress.com/2007/10/14/mixing-it-up-jazz-style-finale/

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BONUS VIDEO: Amen Corner - The Prologue.mpg



kenmichael stafford, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2010

The cast and crew of The Amen Corner (based on the play by James Baldwin) Stage director, Kenmichael Stafford directs the first full african american cast for a musical in the history of the university of alabama. This prologue is a short interaction into the first scene of the piece
-snip-
This scene features a rendition of the religious hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". The choreographed movements of the Black congregation exaggerates for artistic purposes the "holy dance" that is done when church people "get happy" ("feel the spirit").

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMeKfLJ-j9g for a photographical collection of scenes from the 1965 European tour of the play "The Amen Corner".

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Thanks to all those who are quoted or are featured in this post. Special thanks to the composer of the song "Shouting At The Amen Corner" and to vocalist Mildred Bailey. Thanks also to the publishers of the sound file & video that are featured in this post.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - Bag Lady (video, lyrics, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the song "Bag Lady" by Erykah Badu and includes comments about the African American Vernacular English meanings for the word "bag".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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LYRICS - BAG LADY

Bag lady you gone hurt your back
Dragging all them bags like that
I guess nobody ever told you
All you must hold on to
Is you, is you, is you

One day all them bags gone get in your way
One day all them bags gone get in your way
I said one day all them bags gone get in your way
One Day all them bags gone get in your way

So pack light
Pack light
Pack light
Ooh ooh

Bag lady you gone miss your bus
You can't hurry up
Cause you got too much stuff
When they see you comin
N***gas take off runnin
From you it's true oh yes they do

One day he gone say you crowdin my space
One day he gone say you crowdin my space
I said one day he gone say you crowdin my space
One day he gone say you crowdin my space

So pack light
Pack light
Pack light
Ooh ooh

Girl I know sometimes it's hard
And we can't let go
Oh when someone hurts you oh so bad inside
You can't deny it you can't stop crying
So oh, oh, oh
If you start breathin
Then you won't believe it
You'll feel so much better
(So much better baby)

Bag lady
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Ooh, ooh
Girl you don't need it
I betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
(Need someone to love you right)
Betcha love can make it better
(I betcha love, betcha love)
Betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
(I betcha love, betcha love)
Betcha love can make it better
(I betcha love, I betcha love, oh)
Betcha love can make it better
Betcha love can make it better
(Oh...)
Betcha love can make it better...

Bag lady, hmm
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Girl you don't need that, hmm

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/erykahbadu/baglady.html

Note: The "n word" is fully spelled out in those lyrics.

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FEATURED VIDEO



ErykahBaduVEVO, Uploaded on Jun 16, 2009

Music video by Erykah Badu performing Bag Lady. (C) 2000 Motown Records

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COMMENTS
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqN0jsSeqPo

"Is this about materialism?"
-s99bf0c8, 2013
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"No - the song (in my opinion) is about women and how we should grow up and mature. It is about handling our issues (baggage) that can ultimately destroy our relationships, health, well-being, families, and even how we relate to the world. Our baggage is what keeps us (women) from realizing our full potential and purpose and life. The scene with the babies receiving their bags says it all. We ladies start filling our bags from birth but it is up to us to face our issues and deal with them.
-Blckberi, 2013
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"the word bags in the song means your personal issues whether issues of past relationship, self esteem issues etc. Wen she says pack light she means dont carry your problems into new relationships or new chapters in your life.. hope dat helped"
-nikababy90, 2013
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"baggage, can be Mental as well. so  She is saying let all that
"baggage go" "
-ShikaNakamura, 2013
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"Love this song, leave all your access baggage (issues) in the past"
-pnuttink, 2013
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"I love this song for many reasons mainly because its the truth baggage keeps you from hurrying up and obtaining all that is for you on your life path. Instead of pointing teh finger check yo bags and get rid of some stuff and mr right, that good job, and happiness and more could be right there stay positive"
-Janet PrincessNaija, 2013

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RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/06/african-american-vernacular-english-in.html for a post that includes a number of African American Vernacular terms from the mid 1960s.

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Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy. Thanks also to those who composed this song, and all others who I quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on youtube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor commeents are welcome.

What "Grittin On Someone" Means (in African American Vernacular English)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides definitions of the African American English derived phrase "grittin on [someone]". This post also provides a definition of the word "grittin" as it is used in historically Black Greek leettered organizations.

Examples of the "grittin on someone" facial expression are found in three videos of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities.

The content of this post is presented for sociological and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

[Latest revision- August 4, 2016.

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DEFINITION OF THE PHRASE "GRITTIN[G] ON [SOMEONE]
grittin - to stare at someone for a long period of time with a disdainful and/or mean, evil, or angry look on your face

The work "grittin[g]" comes from the word "grit", meaning "small, loose particles of stone or sand". Three synonyms from African American Vernacular English terms for "grittin[g] are "having a "dirty look [on your face]", "mean muggin[g]", and "ugly muggin[g]". However, a person grittin on someone doesn't have to look mean. That person may just stare disdainfully at another person, daring that person to look away. In any event, grittin on a person is an act of disrespect.

When a Black children grit on their parents, they are likely to be told that they better "fix their face or else." "Fixing your face" means to take that disdainful and/or mean, evil, angry look off of your face. "Or else" means some punishments will be levied on the children because of that act of disrespect.

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"GRITTIN" IN HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES (BGLOs)
In historically Black Greek letter organizations, "grittin" is also called "mean mugging". That term refers to a "hard", mean facial expression that members of many of those organizations (particularly fraternities) may wear on certain occasions. This look is meant to convey their determination*, the seriousness of their commitment to the organization, their aggressiveness, and their "hardness" (in the street sense of that word).

*In the context of those who are striving to join a BGLO, "determination" means their commitment to persevere until they become full members of that organization.

A "grit face" or a "mean mug" expression may also be worn during step shows or fraternity or sorority stroll by persons who are full members of a historically Black Greek lettered organization (BGLO) to convey the seriousness of those members' commitment to that organization, and to convey their aggressiveness toward any obstacle or any adversary - including other fraternity step teams that they competing against in that step show.

While a "grit face" looks very much like scowling fiercely or snarling, grit faces aren't meant to convey anger. Instead, a "grit face" shows how "hard" [in street terms] members of that organization are.

In my opinion, putting on a grit face is associated with the image of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities much more than historically Black Greek lettered sororities. And the vernacular that is associated with those fraternities may be linked to the act of putting on a grit face. For instance, when men associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are "grittin", they are said to put on a "dog face" as their informal symbol is a bull dog, and their signature call is a dog's bark. In that sense, the fierceness of a bull dog and the grit face both convey the same "hard" message. Also, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. may put on a grit face to show how fiercely cold [blooded] they are. That members of that organization are "cold" when it comes to taking care of serious business is reflected in the words of one of their signature chants: "ice, ice, baby/ too cold/too cold/ice ice baby/ the black & gold".

In contrast, while pledges and full members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc, the sorority which is closely associated with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. believe their sorority is "a serious matter"*, putting on an ugly, aggressive grit face would be in opposition to that sorority's tradition of being "pretty girls".

I'm not saying that putting on a grit face doesn't occur among pledges or full members of that sorority or other historically Black Greek lettered sororities. However, it seems to me that "grit face" is much more associated with historically Black Greek lettered fraternities than sororities.

*It's a serious matter" is an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority signature chant.

****
COMMENTS ABOUT "GRITTIN" AND STANDARD DEFINITIONS OF "GRITTING ONE'S TEETH" AND "SHOWING TRUE GRIT".
As used in historically Black Greek lettered organizations, the facial expression of "grittin" isn't the same as "gritting one's teeth" since people don't show their teeth when they are grittin. Gritting one's teeth means to steel oneself to endure something that is difficult or uncomfortable. While "grittin[g] on someone" has a different meaning than "gritting one's teeth", the BGLO definition of "grittin" is quite similar to that later definition of "steeling onself to endure", particularly in the case of old time pledges to historically Black Greek lettered fraternities.

Furthermore, I believe that the psychological meaning of the word "grit" -as in "showing true grit" is exactly what the word "grittin" means in the context of historically Black Greek lettered organizations. Here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(personality_trait)
"Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait, based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or endstate coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual’s path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance," "hardiness," "resilience,” “ambition,” “need for achievement” and conscientiousness."

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the videos with the oldest date given first.

Example #1: Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs



mrchangeurlife, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008

Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008

****
Example #2: Omega Psi Phi Stepping on the Steve Harvey Show



KingUdobot,Uploaded on Mar 26, 2009

Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread:
"They KILLED it love this grit faces"
-lmanley11, 2009
-snip-
"Killed it" means to do something very well.

****
Example #3: Alpha Phi Alpha On the campus of Clark Atlanta Univ -CAU



Teresa Dowell-Vest, Published on Apr 9, 2012

I was on the campus of Clark Atlanta University taking pics for the Harlem YMCA students visiting Spelman, Morehouse, and CAU and these guys broke OUT!

****
UPDATE: August 3, 2013 - Video of females grittin

Spelman Freshman Step Team Alum Battle



LookOut504, Uploaded on Oct 11, 2008

The former freshman step team members of some of Morehouse and Spelmans finest teams have some fun. CAU was in attendance but we missed their performance
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTdYfDKmNs that was posted in response to a number of comments critizing the faces made by the step team in the beginning of this video:
"- Ok , let's diminish the ignorance a little. The faces they are making are called "GRIT FACES". When stepping many organizations put on "GRIT FACES" to show how serious & how hard they go for their org. Lol it's a SOUTHERN thing. #DirtySouth
-Minelly Deme, 2013

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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-getting-up-in-someones-face-means_6.html

****
Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to the producers of these videos & their publishers on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady", The Whispers' "Rock Steady", & The "Rock Steady" American military cadences (examples & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: June 16, 2025

This pancocojams post is Part I of a two part series on the American R&B songs & children's cheerleader cheers that have the title "Rock Steady".

Part I features videos of Aretha Franklin's 1972 dance song "Rock Steady" and The Whispers' 1987 dance song "Rock Steady". Part I also includes my comments about the inspiration for the title of those two songs, the meaning of the term "rock steady" in those two songs, and information about a dance movement that was usually performed for those two songs.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/06/rock-steady-childrens-cheers-youtube.html
for Part II of this series. Part II of this series is entitled "Rock Steady" Children's Cheers (YouTube videos, information, and word only examples)". That post features YouTube videos, lyrics, and information about children's "Rock Steady" cheers.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Aretha Franklin and The Whispers for their musical legacies. Thanks the unknown composers of the American military cadences known as  "Rock Steady". Thanks also to the YouTube publishers of these sound files and video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.

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THE INSPIRATION FOR THE SONG TITLE "ROCK STEADY"
I believe that it's very likely that Aretha Franklin's 1972 R&B song "Rock Steady" was inspired by the name of the Jamaican "Rocksteady" music genre. However, the tune, beat, and lyrics of that R&B song are different from Jamaican "Rocksteady" music.

Furthermore, I believe that the the name of The Whispers' 1987 R&B song "Rock Steady" was probably inspired by Aretha Franklin's earlier song.

I believe that most of the lyrics for the "Rock Steady" United States military cadences have their source in The Whispers' song entitled "Rock Steady".  This conforms with the tradition that United  military has of lifting lyrics from popular music and especially R&B music to create cadences.

Also, I believe that it's very likely that the name of the children's "Rock Steady" children's cheerleader cheers* was inspired by the 1987 "Rock Steady" song by The Whispers instead of the 1972 "Rock Steady" song by Aretha Franklin. I believe this because I've yet to come across any examples of children's cheerleading cheers* with the phrase "rock steady" (and not just "rock"), or any remembrances of such cheers prior to 1987.

*By "children's cheerleader cheers", I mean cheerleader cheers & chants that are performed by children and teens in community cheerleader squads and/or in school cheerleader squads prior to colleges or universities.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/classic-jamaican-rocksteady-songs-sound.html for a pancocojams post on Rocksteady music.

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WHAT THE UNITED STATES COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSION "ROCK STEADY" MEANS
From https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/rock-steady

[definition #2] moving in a controlled way
-snip-
rock= to move
steady= to move in a continuous manner

*****
WHAT "ROCK STEADY"  MEANS IN UNITED STATES R&B SONGS & CHEERS WITH THAT TITLE
In United States R&B songs and children's cheerleader cheers with that title "rock steady" means to continue to do something in a continuous (fixed, balanced, regular) way.

When used in military cadences, "Rock steady" is a motivational (encouraging) expression that means "Continue moving along".

When used in children's cheerleader cheers "Rock Steady" means "Continue doing something very well i.e. Continue scoring so that the team wins the game that they are playing.

Depending on the type of children's cheerleading*, cheerleaders (particularly female cheerleaders) will swing their hips from side to side when they perform this cheer to imitate the movement of a boat rocking from side to side.  

In dance terms "rock steady" means that women and men continuously move their hips from side to side to the record's beat.

*In mainstream cheerleading, cheerleaders don't shake their butts or rock their hips.

In stomp and shake cheerleading, female cheerleaders shake their butts and rock their hips.

In modified mainstream that includes some stomp and shake movements, to some greater or lesser degree, female cheerleaders shake their butts and rock their hips. 

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS OF THE R&B SONGS "ROCK STEADY"

Example #1: Aretha Franklin Performs Rock Steady (on "Soul Train")

Marcus Watson, July 21, 2017
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOj9lPbp1I4 for another sound file of Aretha Franklin singing "Rock Steady"
[embedding disabled by request]. The summary statement of that sound file notes that "Aretha Franklin performs Rock Steady live on Soul Train in 1973, episode 55."

Here's an excerpt about Aretha Franklin's song "Rock Steady" from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Steady_(Aretha_Franklin_song):
"Rock Steady" is a song written and performed by Aretha Franklin and released in 1971, from the album Young, Gifted and Black. The single reached the #9 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that same year. It also peaked at #2 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart. The B-side, "Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)" peaked at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart."
-snip-
Here's a portion of the lyrics for Aretha Franklin's 1971 hit song "Rock Steady"
from https://genius.com/Aretha-franklin-rock-steady-alternate-mix-lyrics

..."Rock steady, baby!

Rock steady... whoo! Rock steady...

Rock! Steady!

Rock! Steady!

(What it is...) It's a funky and low down feelin'

(What it is...) In my hips from left to right;

(What it is...) What it is is I might be doin'

(What it is...) This funky dance all night....

Oh, ah! (Clap your hands in the air! Got a feelin', ain't got a care!)

Oh-ah! (What fun to take this ride! Rock steady will only slide!)

Rock steady! Steady it, baby!

Rock... rock steady, baby...

Baby... (What it is...)

Baby, baby... (What it is...)

Baby... (What it is...)"...

****
Example #2: The Whispers - Rock Steady Official Video



UnidiscMusic, Uploaded on Feb 11, 2010
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Steady_(The_Whispers_song):
"Rock Steady" was a single released by American R&B group The Whispers, from their eighteenth studio album, Just Gets Better with Time (1987).

It was released on June 13, 1987[1] and was their highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven, and was their second and final number one on the Hot Black Singles Chart.[2]"
-snip-
Click https://genius.com/The-whispers-rock-steady-lyrics for the lyrics to The Whispers' "Rock Steady" song.

Here's part of those lyrics:
 
[Chorus]
And we begin to rock steady
Steady rocking all night long
And we begin to rock steady
Rocking 'til the break of dawn

Rock (Ooh), steady
Steady rocking all night long (All night long)
Rock steady
Rocking 'til the break of dawn
(Rocking 'til the break of dawn)"...

****
"ROCK STEADY" MILITARY CADENCE

Military Cadence, Nov 14, 2019

Rock Steady Cadence

The U.S Army Airborne
-snip-

Lyrics
[https://www.jonathanmichaelfleming.com/rock-steady : This is one version of this military cadence]

"One, two, three, four, Hey!

Here we go x2

On the move x2

In the groove x2

Here we go

All the way

Every day

HOOAH!

HAHA!

HOOAH!

HAHA!

Rock me, rock me, rock, rock steady!

Roll me, roll me, roll me ready

We’re gonna rock (Rock),

All night long,

We’re gonna roll (Roll)

‘til the break of dawn

We’re gonna swing it (Swing it)

‘til we wanna go home

We’re gonna shake it (Shake it)

‘til the twilight zone

We’re gonna rock (rock), roll (roll), get (get), stay (stay)"

****

This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

What "Ah Sookie Sookie Now" Means

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update- March 10, 2026

This pancocojams post presents a definition of and theories about the sources of the African American colloquial expression "Ah sookie sookie now".

This post also showcases selected sound files or videos that include that expression or the phrase "suca suca". An addedum to this post also includes information about and links to the "sucu sucu" musical genre.

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

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-sukey-jumps-means-information-song.html for a related post on the meanings of the word "sukey jumps" and three "Sukey Jump" music examples.

All copyrights remain with their owners.
-snip-
May 14, 2021: In re-reading this post, I realized I hadn' mentioned the signature use of the word "Azucar!" by Cuban American Queen of Salsa music Celia Cruz. I added a comment in this post's discussion thread below. Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/seven-videos-of-queen-of-salsa-celia.html for the 2013 pancocojams post entitled "Seven Videos Of The Queen Of Salsa, Celia Cruz."
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/03/what-lead-bellys-use-of-term-sukey.html for the March 9, 2026 pancocojams post What Lead Belly's Use Of The Term "Sukey Jumps" REALLY Means". "Sukey jumps" (sometimes given as "sookie jumps") is a Southern Black American (country not city) referent for late 19th century-early 20th century gatherings where fast paced music is sung and danced.  As such, in spite of the similarly in spelling and pronunciation, "sukey jumps" and the saying "Ah sookie sookie" have no documented connection. However, it's possible that the older term "sukey jumps" could have influenced the mid 20th century and on "ah sookie sookie" saying.  

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DEFINITION FOR THE EXPRESSION "AH SOOKIE SOOKIE NOW"
Revised on November 26, 2025
"Ah sookie sookie now" is an African American originated colloquial expression that men say to indicate their appreciation of the physical body of a female who is passing by them.

"Ah sookie Sookie now." (or "Ah Sookie sookie.") is a form of a "cat-call"  i.e.
"an unsolicited whistle, shout, or comment of a sexual nature that a male males about a female who is passing by".
-end of revision-

From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sookie+sookie+now
"sookie sookie now
an expression of admiration, or satisfaction, especially in regards to the shape and beauty of a female
A beautiful girl with a tight body walks by and you look at her and say "Ahhhhhhhhhh sookie sookie, now!!"
by jojo Oct 24, 2003
-snip-
Although it's less common, females can also say "Ah sookie sookie now!" in appreciation of a male's sexy physique. For instance, in the 2013 song "I Do" by the R&B/Hip Hop group Blaque, young women sing "ah sookie sookie now" in appreciation of attractive men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lgb3joQfv8

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POSSIBLE SOURCES FOR "AH SOOKIE SOOKIE NOW"
Theory #1
The 1970s colloquial expression "ah sookie sookie now" has its source in the 19th century term "sukey jumps". "Sukey jumps" is a long obsolete 19th century and early 20th century African American English referent for country dance gatherings for Black folks and the fast paced dance music that was performed at those gatherings.

Those dance gatherings were named "Sukey Jumps" as a reference to the Black women ["Sukies"; "Sookies"] who would be enthusiastically dancing [jumping all around] there. The phrase "ah sookie sookie" could have evolved over a period of time from men's appreciation of the attractive females (the "Sookies") they saw.
-snip-
Additional comments about the meaning/s of the referent "sukey jumps" can be found by clicking http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-sukey-jumps-means-information-song.html.

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Theory #2
The phrase "ah sookie sookie now" comes from the phrase "suca suca". "Suca" derives from the French word for sugar "sucre". Therefore, "suca suca" ("sookie sookie") means "sweet sweet". Men seeing a sexy, physically attractive female might respond with the exclamation "Sweet sweet" (as in "Sucre sucre").

The phrase "suca suca" is found in the Zap Mama recording of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian song "Iko Iko".* A sound file of that song is found below. The New Orleans, Louisiana connection between "suca suca" and "ah sookie sookie now" is reinforced by the fact that King Floyd, the singer who recorded the song "Groove Me" which begins with "ah sookie sookie now" is from New Orleans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Floyd

In previous posts [on the Mudcat Cafe Folk & Blues forum]*, I wrote that "ah sookie sookie" may have derived from the Spanish word for sugar "azucar". Hat tip to Mudcat blogger Q who pointed out that if that phrase came from any Latin language source, given the greater French influence in New Orleans, that Latin language source would have been French rather than Spanish.

*There are countless theories about the meaning/s of the phrase "iko iko" and the meanings of other words & phrases in that song. Click this page of my cocojams website for several theories about the meanings of the song "Iko Iko": http://cocojams.com/content/text-analysis-iko-iko.

**I also previously wrote that the referent "sukey jumps" may have come from the West African (Akan language) female name "Akosua" (female born on Sunday). I now retract that theory, in large part because that name isn't pronounced the same as the word "sukey". If I'm not mistaken, the Akan pronunciation for "Akosua" is ah-KOH-su-ah.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES THAT INCLUDE THE EXPRESSION "AH SOOKIE SOOKIE NOW"
[This isn't all the records that contain the phrase "ah sookie sookie" or similar spellings. If you know the title for other records, please add them in the comment section. Thanks!]

Example #1: Ah Sookie Sookie Now!



Abi Jenkins Published on Nov 25, 2012
-snip-
This is a clip from the hit record "Groove Me" by King Floyd.

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Example #2: King Floyd-Groove Me.flv



davedrummer7Uploaded on Sep 7, 2010

Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZG9Sclq_54:

On this day in 1971 {January 16th} King Floyd performed "Groove Me" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'...

Three months earlier on October 24th, 1970 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #6 and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...

And on January 2nd, 1971 it reached #1 {for 4 non-consecutive weeks} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart

King Floyd passed away on March 6th, 2006 at the age of 61...

R.I.P. King Floyd and Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}...
-sauquoit13456, 2013

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Example #3: Blaque - I Do

[Update: August 3, 2021 -This sound file is no longer available on YouTube.]

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OTHER SONGS THAT INCLUDE THE PHRASE "SUKI SUKI NOW" [Revised January 9, 2016]
- Big KRIT - Sookie Now (feat. David Banner) - Returnof4eva [Download MP3]

-Outkast's "Hootie Hoo"

WARNING: These records include the "n" word and some profanity. Also, the comments on these YouTube examples' discussion threads may contain profanity and other objectionable language.]

****
ADDITION: December 13, 2013
Example #4: STEPPENWOLF - Sookie Sookie 1968



SpindleRecords, Uploaded on Apr 13, 2007


Rare 1968 Live Performance
-snip-
Thanks to Unkown, July 11, 2020 and Anonymous, August 4, 2021 for informing me and others that Steppenwolf's 1968 record "Sookie Sookie" was a cover of Don Covey's 1965 record "Sookie Sookie".

Unfortunately, this format will not allow me to add a YouTube sound file of that song, but here's the link to one published example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8geTmxYTwg&ab_channel=MarcLeroy Sookie, Sookie - Don Covay (1965) (HD Quality) published by Marc Leroy, Jul 5, 2014.

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FEATURED RECORD THAT INCLUDES THE PHRASE "SUCA SUCA"
Zap Mama Iko-Iko



annathebest94, Uploaded on Aug 10, 2008
-snip-
The title of Zap Mama's version of this song is also given as "Suca Mama".

"Iko Iko" is a Mardi Gras Indian song. There are countless theories about the meanings of that title and other words & phrases in that song. Click http://cocojams.com/content/text-analysis-iko-iko for a page about that song which is found on my cocojams cultural website.

****
ADDENDUM
In researching this post, I learned about the Cuban music and dance form called "sucu sucu". Could "sucu sucu" (also) be a source for the African American colloquial expression "ah sookie sookie now"?

Click http://www.cubanow.net/articles/what-was-sucu-sucu-cuban-music for an article about "sucu sucu".

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the recording artists who are featured on this post. Thanks to those whose comments I quoted in this post, and thanks to the YouTube publishers of these sound files.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Biz Markie - "Just A Friend" (with video intro script & rap lyrics)

Biz Markie - Just A Friend (Official Video)



RhinoEntertainment,Uploaded on Aug 3, 2010

Watch the official video for Biz Markie's "Just A Friend", his most successful Pop single, reaching the #9 position on the Billboard charts. The song inserts the 1968 hit "You Got What I Need" by Freddie Scott.

-snip-
Statistics as of January 4, 2022 at 9:11 AM EDT
total # of views - 76,402,400
total # of likes -885K
total # of dislikes [This feature is no longer active on YouTube]
total # of comments -43,974

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

[lATEST UPDATE: jANUARY 4, 2022]

This pancocojams post showcases a video of & lyrics for Biz Markie's hit pop rap "Just A Friend". 

My unofficial transcription of the beginning scene in this song's official video is also including in this post. In addition, this post includes an explanation of some of the African American slang used in this rap, as well as some biographical information about Biz Markie.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Biz Markie for chis musical legacy. RIP. Thanks also to transcriber of the song lyrics, and the uploader of this featured video.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT BIZ MARKIE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biz_Markie [retrieved on January 5, 2022]
"Marcel Theo Hall (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021),[3] known professionally as Biz Markie, was an American rapper, DJ, and record producer. Markie was best known for his 1989 single "Just a Friend", which became a top 40 hit in several countries. In 2008, "Just a Friend" made No. 100 on VH1's list of the 100 greatest hip hop songs of all time.[4] Markie was sometimes referred to as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop".[5][6][7]

****


****
SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO SCENE BEFORE THE RAP BEGINS
[unofficial transcript by Azizi Powell]

A group of Black young men are seated on a park bench telling “your mama” jokes. (This is a friendly exchange and not a real rippin [insult] contest).

Biz Markie –“Yo, your moms is so poor that she went to McDonalds and put a shake on layaway.”

[laughter]

2nd man- “Well, your mother is so old that she knew Central Park when it was a plant.”

[laughter]

3rd man – Your mom’s hair so nappy that she needs to take pain killers to comb it.”

[laughter]

Two attractive young womens strut toward the park bench.

One of the men says: “Oh, yo, yo. Look at that, man.” The men make other admiring comments about the women who stop at the park bench. One of the comments is “Ooh, You got what I need”.

The women leave, and one of the men says “Oh, it’s all of that baby? More comments are made, but Biz Markie says “Yo, yo, forget about them girls. A couple of the men say “Why? What’s up?

Biz Markie says, “I got a little story to tell you”
And then begins his rap.

****
LYRICS - JUST A FRIEND
Songwriters: IBRAHIM, CAIREL ADRIN BIN/ISHAK, JOHAN BIN/HALL, MARCEL THEO PKA BIZ MARKIE/LIZAARD, LEAF

Have you ever met a girl that you tried to date

But a year to make love she wanted you to wait

Let me tell ya a story of my situation

I was talkin' to this girl from the U.S. nation

The way that I met her was on tour at a concert

She had long hair and a short miniskirt

I just got onstage drippin', pourin' with sweat

I was walkin' through the crowd and guess who I met

I whispered in her ear, "Come to the picture booth

So I can ask you some questions to see if you are a hundred proof"

I asked her her name, she said blah-blah-blah

She had 9/10 pants and a very big bra

I took a couple of flicks and she was enthused

I said, "How do you like the show?"

She said, "I was very amused"

I started throwin' bass, she started throwin' back mid-range

But when I sprung the question, she acted kind of strange

Then when I asked, "Do ya have a man," she tried to pretend

She said, "No I don't, I only have a friend"

Come on, I'm not even goin' for it

This is what I'm goin' sing

You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
And you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend

So I took blah-blah's word for it at this time

I thought just havin' a friend couldn't be no crime

'Cause I have friends and that's a fact

Like Agnes, Agatha, Germaine, and Jacq

Forget about that, let's go into the story

About a girl named blah-blah-blah that adored me

So we started talkin', getttin' familiar

Spendin' a lot of time so we can build up

A relationship or some understanding

How it's gonna be in the future we was plannin'

Everything sounded so dandy and sweet

I had no idea I was in for a treat

After this was established, everything was cool

The tour was over and she went back to school

I called every day to see how she was doin'

Everytime that I called her it seemed somethin' was brewin'

I called her and a guy picked up, and then I called again

I said, "Yo, who was that?" "Oh, he's just a friend"

Don't gimme that, don't ever gimme that

Jus' bust this
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
And you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend

So I came to her college on a surprise visit

To see my girl that was so exquisite

It was a school day, I knew she was there

The first semester of the school year

I went to a gate to ask where was her dorm

This guy made me fill out a visitor's form

He told me where it was and I as on my way

To see my baby doll, I was happy to say

I arrrived in front of the dormitory

Yo, could you tell me where is door three?

They showed me where it was for the moment

I didn't know I was in for such an event

So I came to her room and opened the door

Oh, snap! Guess what I saw?

A fella tongue-kissin' my girl in the mouth,

I was so in shock my heart went down south

So please listen to the message that I say

Don't ever talk to a girl who says she just has a friend

Just A Friend lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAK MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC
-snip-
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/biz+markie/just+a+friend_20018799.html
[Note: I corrected three very minor typos in this transcription: the word "correct", the word "guess", and the word "understanding".)

****
EXPLANATION OF SOME OF THE SLANG FOUND IN THIS RAP
"[ask you some questions] "to see if you are a hundred proof"=
to see if you're for real

"I asked her her name, she said blah-blah-blah"= "Blah-blah-blah" is a substitute for the girl's name which Biz Markie isn't sharing.

"She had 9/10 pants" = She wore pants that were a size 9/10.

"I took a couple of flicks" = I took a couple of pictures (with a camera).

"I started throwin' bass, she started throwin' back mid-range" = Biz Markie and the girl started singing together.

"it seemed somethin' was brewin' = "it seemed like something was going on in the background".

"Yo, who was that?" = "Yo" here [as well as in the introductory video scene] means "Hey".

Jus' bust this = [in the context of this rap], means "let's continue with this rap".

"Oh, snap!" = in Standard American English, this is the equivalent of "Oh shucks!", but the word "snap" substitutes for another word that means "crap" (manure).
-snip-
Additions & corrections to these slang explanations and are welcome.

****
ADDENDUM #1
This rap is about a guy "being played" by a girl. "Being played" means "to be taken advantaged of". In this context, a girl only pretending to be seriously interested in a man and acting as though she is only seeing him, but actually cheating on him with another man.

But notice how CLEAN this rap is compared to the type of Hip-Hip records that are promoted nowadays.

Yes, one of the Your mama rips in the beginning of the video talked bad about nappy hair, but there wasn't anything vulgar about those rips. And the closest that that rap got to anything sexual was "tongue kissing". Also check out the fact that the girl who was playin Biz Markie was in college, and not baby's mama.

Times change, and not always for the best.

***
ADDENDUM #2
From https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/throwback-check-80s-nupes-biz-markies-just-friend-video/ Black Greek Throwback: 1980s Nupes Twirling in Biz Markie’s ‘Just a Friend’ Video

[complete article; no author or date cited]
"You’ve heard the Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend,” but did you ever realize that the music video features members of Kappa Alpha Psi?

“Just A Friend” was Biz Markie’s most successful single that reached the #9 position on the Billboard charts in 1989. The music video follows Biz as he falls in love with a girl and finds out she is cheating on him with a man on a nearby college campus. Biz goes to surprise the girl at her university and walks in on what he describes “A fella tongue kissin’ my girl on her mouth” in her dorm room.

As Biz is walking through the campus there is a whole scene at the 3:40 mark with a bunch of Kappas doing cane routines around him on the yard. They are rocking peak late 80s style and holding it down for their brothers with their Kappa Kanes!"

****
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Viewer comments are welcome.

The Staple Singers - I Know I Been Changed (sound file & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a sound file & lyrics for the song "I Know I've Been Changed" as sung by The Staple Singers. Information about The Staple Singers is also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAPLE SINGERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Staple_Singers
"The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (b. 1934), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939). They are best known for their 1970s hits "Respect Yourself", "I'll Take You There", "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)", and "Let's Do It Again"...

In 1999, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pops Staples died of complications from a concussion suffered in December 2000. In 2005, the group was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Mavis Staples has continued to carry on the family tradition and continues to add her vocal talents to both the projects of other artists and her own solo ventures."

****
FEATURED SOUND FILE
The Staple Singers - I Know I've Been Changed



verosartis, Uploaded on Nov 13, 2008

cut from Great Day LP

*****
LYRICS - I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED
(as sung by The Staple Singers)

Chorus: 2x
I, know I've been changed.
I, know I've been changed.
I, know I've been changed.
The angels in Heaven done signed my name.
The angels in Heaven done signed my name.

Verse #1
I know I got religion.
Lord knows I’m not ashamed.
The Holy Ghost is my witness.
You know the angels done signed my name.

Chorus (1x)

Verse #2
I know I been converted.
Lord knows I been redeemed.
You can wake me up in the midnight’s hour
And I’ll tell you just what I seen.

Chorus (1x)
-snip-
This is a basic transcription by Azizi Powell (without any interjections). Corrections & additions are welcome.

After transcribing this sound file, I found very similar lyrics of this rendition of The Staple Singers' "I Know I've Been Changed"
on http://www.namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics-detective-forum/index.php?a=vtopic&t=9
-snip-
"I Know I've Been Changed" is a very well known Gospel song among African Americans. This song has been recorded by a number of Gospel vocalists & choirs. "I Know I've Been Changed" has also been adapted & sung (usually during probate*) by some historically Black Greek lettered sororities & fraternities. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3eDZI18EvM for a beautiful rendition of "I Know I Been Changed" as sung by members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (at .19 - 1.20)

*probate (noun) - a program in which new members of a specific sorority or fraternity are first introduced to other members of that Greek lettered organization and to the public.

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to The Staple Singers for their musical legacy. My thanks to the composer of this song & the musicians who performed on this featured song. Thanks also to the author of the Wikipedia article which is quoted in this post and the uploader of this featured sound file.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Why “Brick House” Didn’t Become A Widely Accepted Slang Term

Written by Azizi Powell

“Brick house” is a complimentary descriptive referent for certain females which was coined by Shirley Hanna-King, the wife of a member of the R&B group “The Commodores”. According to that usage, "brick house" (also found as "brickhouse") [noun] is a curvaceous, "stacked", attractive female.

There are anecdotal statements on the Commodore's "Brick House" YouTube video viewer comment threads from women who remember being called a “brickhouse” after that record was released. There are also comments on those discussion threads from women who having heard that record, claim that they are a “brickhouse”. However, even in those discussion threads, it appears that a lot of viewers of the Commodores’ “Brick House” video, and/or listeners of the “Brick House” sound file aren’t sure what “brick house” (“brick house”) means in relation to females.

Clearly, “brick house” (or “brickhouse”) didn’t make into the A level of slang terms, that is - words or phrases that have been coined by African Americans relatively recently which have been quickly accepted by that population: words such as “old school”, “shout out”, and “bling” (or “bling bling”). Another A level slang category that “brick house”, “brickhouse” failed to achieve is words or phrases that were well known and have been used for a period of time by African Americans but have since largely been retired by that population: words such as “Yo!”, “Word up!”, and “out of sight”.

Of course, since “brick house” (or “brickhouse”) didn’t make it into the A level of slang terms, it certainly didn’t make it into the A+ level - slang terms that are well known by African Americans and are still used after a considerable amount of time; words and phrases like “jive”, “jam”, and “funky".

Many words from both of those A levels have been adopted by non-African Americans who may not use them correctly and may continue to use them long after African Americans have moved on to other slang terms – words like “dig”, “cool”, and “hip”. But “brick house” (“brickhouse”) doesn’t have anywhere near the status of any of those African American slang terms.

In this post, I attempt to delineate my thoughts on why “brick house”/”brickhouse” as a referent for curvaceous women has such a low score in the world of African American slang terms.

Point #1: “Brick house” already has a well known, firmly established meaning - a building for human habitation that is made out of - “bricks”.

Axiom #1: It’s not easy to supplant a well known, firmly established definition with a newly coined word, phrase, or idiom.
**
Point #2: Both “brick” and “house” have negative colloquial connotations.
Brick - an unintelligent person. Derived from "dumb as a brick."
http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/brick

Also , “If you talk to someone and they do not listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall”.
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/talking+to+a+brick+wall.html
-snip-
House – as in “big as a house”:
“now and days if you call a girl a brick howse lol she going think you calling her brickhouse lol aka look big or fat lol “
-Change- bostonguy, 2011, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU Commodore’s – Brick House

Also, click http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/hello-house-too-big-nfl-200948099--nfl.htm for an article about a male football player whose nickname is “House” who has been determined to be too big to play in the NFL.

[And yes, I recognize the built in societal assumption that females don’t want to be considered described as being big or fat. But just because that assumption isn’t right, it still exists.]

Axiom #2: It’s not easy to give a positive connotation or connotations to words, phrases, or idioms that already have a negative connotation.
**
Point #3: “The term “brick house” and “bricks” are associated with excrement:
“solid as a sh&t brick house”, and “sh&&ting bricks”.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2458/how-did-the-phrase-built-like-a-brick-shithouse-get-to-be-a-compliment

Axiom #3 [which is related to Axiom #2] Unless they are pre-teens and teenagers, or acting as though they are pre-teens or teenagers, people don’t like to be described in terms that are associated with excrement.
**
Point #4: There’s already a positive colloquial definition for “brick”, and that definition has nothing whatsoever to do with a curvaceous, attractive woman:
...“'you're a real brick' is you're really dependable, i can rely on you. “ http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=87069

See Axiom #1.

**
Point #5: If there are already standard & colloquial terms whose meanings fit what you are trying to say, why would anyone use a term that has so much associated baggage?
See Axiom #1, #2, and #3
**
Point #6: There are numerous slang meanings for the word “house”, many of which are associated with the music genre “House” (which supposedly got its name because it first developed in the early 1980s- a few years after the Commodore’s “Brick House record - in a Chicago, Illinois (night)club named “The Warehouse”, and then in New York City, and elsewhere. For example, the saying “I’ll house you” comes from the title and lyrics of the now classic 1989 Jungle Brothers record. I gather that “I’ll house you” has both a sexual meaning and a meaning that threatens violence, and can also mean other things. But I’m not sure about that since I’m not well versed in House music vernacular. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_music for information about House music.

If the term “brick house” was moving toward acceptance outside of that Commodore’s song, the arrival of stronger, more widely accepted colloquial usages of the word “house” sapped what was already a weakened acceptance (because of points I already made).

Axiom #4: When it comes to newly coined words or new meanings of already established words, it’s usually a matter of the survival of the fittest.
-snip-
So, there you have it. That’s my take on why “Brick house” is a pretty good dance song, but a rather lousy slang term.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Brick House - The Commodores



merlotje, Uploaded on Jan 21, 2008

The Commodores-Brick House 1977
-snip-
Here's information about this song - added June 11, 2016
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick_House_(song)
" "Brick House" is a song from the Commodores' 1977 self-titled album (released as Zoom in the UK).[1] The single peaked at #5 in the U.S. and #32 in the UK pop charts.

Creation and recording
In 1977, the Commodores were in the studio recording when there was a problem with the equipment. While the tapes were being repaired and replaced, the group took a break. Ronald LaPread, the group's bass player, began jamming. Bit by bit the rest of the band joined in until they came up with a track and bass line. Upon returning, James Carmichael, the Commodores' producer, heard and recognized that this could be a song worth recording. He asked everyone to see if they could use the riff to come up with a song. Taking the tapes home, William King played them for his wife, Shirley Hanna-King. While he slept she was inspired to write lyrics for the riff, modifying the expression "built like a brick sh&thouse"* for the song.[2]

The following day King sang the lyrics to "Brick House" to the band, allowing them to think he had written it. They loved it and decided that drummer Walter "Clyde" Orange had the funky voice to sing lead vocals,(as opposed to Lionel Richie, who usually sang lead), and the song went on the new album.

It took several years before the other members of the group discovered that it was actually Shirley Hanna-King who had written the lyrics, and although she was not originally credited, the band has publicly acknowledged her as the song's writer."
-snip-
*That word is fully spelled out in that article.

-snip-
LYRICS - BRICK HOUSE [Added June 11, 2016]
(William King- publicly credited as writer; actual writer his wife Shirley Hanna-King)

[Chorus:]
She's a brick house
Mighty might just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick house
The lady's stacked and that's a fact,
ain't holding nothing back.

She's a brick house
She's the one, the only one,
who's built like a amazon*
We're together everybody knows,
and here's how the story goes.

She knows she got everything
a woman needs to get a man, yeah.
How can she lose with what she use
36-24-36, what a winning hand!

[Chorus]

The clothes she wears, the sexy ways,
make an old man wish for younger days
She knows she's built and knows how to please
Sure enough to knock a man to his knees

[Chorus]

Shake it down, shake it down now (repeat)
-snip-

*pronounced am-a-ka-zawn
Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/commodores/brickhouse.html

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
The content of this post is presented for etymological and entertainment reasons.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of "Brick House" and thanks to the Commodores for their musical legacy. My thanks also to the authors & commenters who are quoted in this post, and to the uploader of this video.

Also, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. - Centaur Walk (Information/Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part I of a two part series on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s signature step walk & chant the "Centaur Walk".

Part I provides information about the Centaur Walk. Lyrics to two versions of the Centaur Walk song (chant) are also provided in this post.

Part II provides seven video examples of the Centaur Walk. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur_3.html for Part II of this series.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, historical inspirational, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. However, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those who are members or pledges of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant.

INFORMATION ABOUT IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iota_Phi_Theta
"Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) is a nationally incorporated, predominantly African-American collegiate fraternity. It was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) in Baltimore, Maryland . At present, it consists of over 70,000 members. There are currently around 300 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in over 40 US states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Japan and South Korea.

The fraternity holds membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization comprising nine (9) International Historically African-American Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities, and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)"
-snip-
From http://www.iotaphitheta.org/about/symbols-insignia
"THE OFFICIAL COLORS
The Official Colors of Iota Phi Theta are Charcoal Brown...and Gilded Gold....

THE CENTAUR
"Besides the Fraternity Shield, the next most readily identifying symbol of Iota Phi Theta is The Centaur. A Mythical beast with the head and torso of a man, and the body of a stallion, The Centaur is near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta and its mythology, characteristics, and legacy are a binding force within the Brotherhood. Additionally, Iota Phi Theta intakees are referred to as Centaurs. (Note: The Centaur can appear in Green, Brown, or Gold but must ALWAYS have Red eyes.)"

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTAUR WALK
From Elizabeth C. Fine: Soulstepping: African American Step Shows (Urbana & Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003; pps 61, 62)
"As stepping evolved. many of the nine Greek-letter societies developed distinctive and characteristic steps and chants known as “trade” or “signature” steps that embody the ethos or character of a group and are nationally known by all its chapters…Audiences instantly recognize [these signature steps] as “belonging” to a particular group. Different societies may refer to rivals in either a salutary or derogatory way by how they imitate these trade steps...

Members of Iota Phi Theta, the newest fraternity to be admitted to the NPHC, still recall the name of the person who invented their “Centaur Walk” and the year he did so. According to Dwayne Dixon, the “Centaur Walk” was invented in 1966 by Brother Robert Young at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Because the Centaur, after the shield, as one of Iota’s “most readily identifying symbol”, embodying the symbol through stepping is important. The Iota Web-page carries the information that the Centaur, a “mythical beast with the head and the torso of a man, and the body of a stallion,” is “near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta. The mythology, characteristics, and legacy of The Centaur are a binding force within the Brotherhood”. The Iota shield displays the image of a centaur, about to release an arrow from a bow. To evoke that image, the brothers mime pulling on a bow while they typically step three times to the left and three times to the right...
Even though trade steps are traditional, they change over time. When I asked [Iota Phi Theta member Dwayne Dixon] to provide a few verses of the "Centaur Walk" chant, he said it involves a call-and-response piece ("My brothers, what do you want?") and functions "like a framework, for other little mini-steps or breaks inside of it." Although "it has evolved", it is "a traditional step":

I say, my bro-thers....
-Yeah?
I say, Who's fly?
-I Phi!
I say my....Iota-Phi brothers...
I say we're going to do...
-What are we going to do?
I say the Norfolk Slide!
-He said the Norfolk Slide!

At this point the "Norfolk Slide", which is a kind of "break," is executed. These breaks are usually four or eight bars long, and at the completion of the break the "Centaur Walk" resumes. Other examples of these breaks are "The Old Time Sound", "The Scramble", "The Lookabout", "The Replace", and on and on. That's one of the nice things about the "Centaur Walk". Because of this structure, the basic framework retains the traditional aspects of the step and provides the links to the past. On the other hand, these breaks allow for creativity and keeping the step fresh and up to date."
-snip-
"Fly" is a mostly retired adjective from the mid 1980s African American vernacular English whose meaning is the same as or similar to "cool", "hip", "dapper", "in style" (i.e. someone or something that is up to date with the latest Black urban fashions, vernacular, and/or lifestyle/s").

AN EXAMPLE OF THE CENTAUR WALK SONG (CHANT)
From http:/www.potomaccentaurs.com/109/the-centaur-walk/

Video summary*:
"Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

Video was made possible by the Zulu Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated Hosted the 5th Annual Stroll Competition in Moore Gym.

Zulu Zeta Chapter is located in North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Greensboro, NC)

The Centaur Walk was created in 1966 by IOTA brother Robert Young in celebration of the Centaur, a binding symbol which unites all members of the fraternity.

Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

CENTAUR WALK SONG
(First part sung by 1st Brother on line. Number 1′s Song)

I know a place
Where the Centaurs Roam
And I know a place
Where the Centaurs call Home
And In that Place
The Streets are paved
In Brown and Gold
In Brown and Gold
And so I say
Release the Centaur
From Your Soul
From
Your
Soul….
(Sung by all brothers in unison)
I-O-T-A
P-H-I
T-H-E-T-A!!!
I Say
My Frat Brother
He Say
OLE! OLE!
I Say
My Brown and Gold Brothers
What in the H#$@
Do you want?
I Say
We’re Going to do…
What are We Going to Do?
I Say
that Centaur Walk for You
He Say
that Centaur Walk for You
It Goes
the Bow, the Bow
Nah, It Goes
the Shield, the Shield
God D#$* It,
it’s the Bow, the Bow
Nah, it’s
the Shield, the Shield

Break It Down (Centaur Laugh: Bruhahahaha!)

That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow
That Shield,
That Shield
That Big A*# Shield
That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow

*The video from which these lyrics were transcribed is no longer available on YouTube because the uploader's account was closed.

RELATED LINK
Click http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-and-sorority-chants for a page of my Cocojams website which features a number of text examples of fraternity and sorority chants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer of the Centaur Chant, and all the other brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Thanks also to those whose information & transcriptions I quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.