The History Of Popping Fans In African American Soul Line Dancing (with some video examples from 2015-2017) reprint

 

Verlosity's Fan Pop 101 Class for sister Jackie Bowie (Dance 4 Fun 4 Life)

Edward Griffith, Jan 26, 2015 [San Diego, California) 

-comments are turned.off-

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

**** Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision -September 2, 2026

This pancocojams post documents the history of the custom of popping fans in African American (Soul) line dancing.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

****

PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES by Azizi Powell, updated September 2, 2o26

Explanation of terms:

By "African American line dancing" I mean choreographed dances to recorded Soul, R&B,  Hip Hop, Zydeco, and (less often) Gospel music. These dances are performed by a group of people while they stand in horizontal lines or rows or while they stand in a vertical, follow the leader single file (or much less often) partner line and move in a circular direction. 
African American "trail ride" dancing is a form of African American line dancing. Another referent for "African American line dancing" is "Soul line dancing". Most the people performing African American (Soul) line dancing are African Americans. However, African American (Soul) line dancing can be performed by people of any race or ethnicity.

By "folding fan" I mean a plastic hand held fan that folds and opens up with the flick of the wrist. These types of hand held fans are used in some Chinese dances and in some Flamenco dances. History of Popping Fans In Soul Line Dancing

The custom of "popping" a hand held fan while line dancing is relatively recent custom. The earliest video examples of that custom that I've come across to date are from Ed Griffith's Verlosity line dancers  (San Diego, California, January, 2015). That video is given as Showcase #1 In this pancocojams post. That same video is embedded in this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/164844910212525/posts/24664832993120376/. A commenter on that page indicated that Ed Griffith's Verlosity line dancers performed a line dance routine with popping fans in 2014.

Also, another commenter on that same Facebook page refers to this 2013 YouTube video of a Black man and a Black woman at a convention having a comic battle with their hand held folding fans  battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QEo0_D0dw_Fan Wars UWD 2013 published by ealinghands26, Apr 1, 2014.

Here's an excerpt from the AI Overview response to my question about the history of popping fans during African American (soul) line dancing [asked on September 2, 2026] "The custom of holding and popping fans in African American soul line dancing emerged as a widespread cultural phenomenon in 2024 and exploded into the mainstream by 2025. The trend was catalyzed by the viral choreography for the song "Boots on the Ground" by Tre Little, which explicitly integrated a sharp, rhythmic wrist-flick to snap a folding hand fan open on specific musical beats

The Evolution of the Trend

Functional Origins: Handheld folding fans have long been a staple in Black community spaces—such as hot Southern churches and crowded summer family reunions—primarily used to keep cool while socializing or dancing.

The "Boots on the Ground" Catalyst (2024–2025):

When choreographer Tre Little introduced the "Boots on the Ground" routine, the fan was transformed from a cooling tool into a rhythmic instrument. Dancers began using heavy-ribbed bamboo or plastic "clack fans" to produce a sharp, percussive "pop" or "clack" that perfectly accentuates the heavy downbeats of the music.

Social Media Boom:

The visual and auditory satisfaction of dozens of dancers simultaneously popping their fans caused the dance to go viral on TikTok and Instagram. It quickly transitioned from local classes to national cultural moments, utilized by college marching bands and high-profile figures"... -end of quote-

By at least the late 2024, YouTube videos document an increasing number of males are shown dancing with fans, suggesting that it has become acceptable to "pop fans" regardless of one's gender.

When the line dance begins, the fan is folded and then opened on the beat. This creates a "pop" or snapping sound.The fan may be waved, but is usually quickly folded and that process continues throughout the line dance. I've come across a few relatively early YouTube videos of some line dancers hitting the folded fan on the palm of their hand, and/or tapping the folded fan to their side while they danced, but I haven't noticed that custom in later YouTube Soul line dancing videos.

It's possible that the African American (Soul) line dancing custom of dancing with a folding fan was inspired by Flamenco fan dancing that includes holding and/or Chinese fan dancing, However, both these dance styles are quite different from African American (Soul) line dancing with a hand fan. The custom of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs dancing and strutting while holding one or two large fleather fans probably also influenced the custom of African Americans line dancing while holding a hand fan.

Country American line dancing doesn't have the custom of holding, waving, and twirling dance cloths or popping hand held fans.

**** ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT POPPING FANS DURING AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCING In most of the YouTube videos of Soul line dancing with fans, more women line dancers than men dance with fans. Instead of holding a fan, some male line dancers, clap to the beat or wave a (usually white) towel, cloth napkin, or handkerchiefs while they dance. (I refer to those hand held items as "dance cloths". The custom of males (and less often in YouTube African American videos that I have come across) holding, waving, and twirling a dance cloth while they line dance has its source in the custom of carrying a handkerchief or small towel as a sweat cloth for the dancer who is really "getting down" ("getting funky") on the dance floor to wipe his (or her) sweat off of their brow. Although folding fans that are used for Soul line dancing can be any color, I haven't seen any fans in these videos that are multicolored. The fact that each fan can be a different color adds to their visual effect. Most YouTube videos on African American line dancing only have a small number of comments in their discussion threads. In perusing various discussion threads of line dancing videos in which the dancers hold fans, I've only come across only a few comments about the custom of "fan popping". All of those comments are included below. My daughter Tazi Hughes used to teach line dancing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Roland Ford's Dance & Be Fit program. She shared with me that some members of the line dance community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Maryland, and in other states dance with folding fans to accentuate the beat. For instance, in a line dance when a person takes three steps to the right and claps, a person with a fan would snap open the fan instead of clapping on that beat. My daughter also told me that one way that line dancing with fans has spread throughout the United States is because a lot of dancers do it during at national and regional line dance conventions as well as during their regular line dance sessions and get togethers. If you are familiar with the history and custom of popping fans while performing line dancing, please help document this history and custom by adding information in the comment section below. Thanks! **** A FEW ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCING HOLDING A HAND FAN These videos are given in relative chronological order and are numbered for referencing purposes only. ****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - ★ Woop Woop / Player ★ soulsisterify2, September 3, 2015, D'Vaz Danz'n 2nd

Annual Dance for Diabetes Research Workshop.

Music "Hey Lover" by Charlie Wilson & Woop Woop by OilWell. 

**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Fan Popping Gladys Smith, April 14, 2016 Keith Sweat- Good Loving -snip- Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread: 1. Eric Williams, 2021 "What kind of fans are those? How can I purchase one?" ** Reply 2. Gladys Smith, 2021 "Hi Eric, they are 12" silk oriential fans.  There is always someone selling them among the line dance family."

**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #-4The Colonel of The Fan Brigade, Reggie Sullivan, SB Steppers

2nd. Annual Dance Convention in Shreve.

Bobby Mobley, August 28, 2016 -snip- Here are the only comments that are posted to this video's discussion thread: 1. Mattie Brooks, 2019 "Love this line dance. Where can I get the fan?" ** 2, Ray Johnson, 2022 "Yawl go. We pop the fans in Cali too." -snip- Notice that it's not just women line dancers in this group who are popping fans.

****

SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - Come on Home - Line Dance

Houston TSI, Mar 14, 2017 

TSI LINE DANCE TUESDAY - @ THE STUDIO with Jean Dozier

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6:  LEVEL UP AKA POP YOUR FANS ★ Creator: Brooklyn Ed 

TOPSHELF67, Nov 15, 2017 
 
★ Creator: Brooklyn Ed
★ Song: "Level" by Stokely
-snip-
Here's a few comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only).

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

**
Reply
2. TOPSHELF 67, 2018
"Tajauna Thompson Good Morning...Juice aka Roll With It sends her deepest gratitude.  She says that it was actually the Ambassador who encouraged us to put some STANK on it if you will.  Thanks for viewing and responding.  Have a great day.  The BEST way."

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

**
5. Betty Washington, 2022
"Love the  routine with the fan it adds favor to the dance

Love it. Btw how can I get a fan that pop is it on Amazon      What is it called

Let me know!!!! Thanks"

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COMMENTS FROM THE 2022 PANCOCOJAMS POST

1. Azizi PowellJune 25, 2022 at 5:49 AM

   I jus happened upon this comment about Beyonce's newly released song "Break My Soul" that mentions "popping fans" (The comment is in the discussion thread for a Reaction vlog for that song)
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgLQHrzOHn8
   Vemon Cloudz, June 23, 2022
   "I love this direction Motha Beyonce is heading towards. I felt motivated and i do pop my fan as i listen to this".
   -snip-
   The vlogger Zach Campbell is LGBTQ. I wonder - Did popping fans come from LGBTQ cultures and was then picked up by Black (Soul) line dancing by Black females (the same as so many other Gay/drag lingo/dances etc)?

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   Azizi PowellJune 25, 2022 at 6:12 AM

   In the August 2021 video "Down In The Kuntry", two women are shown holding folding fans while posing and dancing ln place behind or along side of the lead singers Stan Butler and West Love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJUtBLFd5jA.
   
   This isn't line dancing and the women didn't pop their fans (that I noticed). But I wonder what other forms of dancing includes fan popping?

   ReplyDelete
3. 
   Azizi PowellJune 25, 2022 at 6:31 AM

   Here's a comment from a YouTube video about Flamenco dancing that includes a comment about the sound a particular fan makes when it is opened:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzeYTKze_0k&t=113s Advanced Flamenco Dancing : Advanced Fan Combo Moves in Flamenco Dancing, published by ExpertVillage Leaf Group, Sept. 11, 2007
   "Practice opening your fan and closing it [your fan]. This is an incredibly loud fan that I have today. So you will find them a little bit more silent."... [1:50 in that video]
   -snip-
   My sense is that the loud popping sound which is frowned upon in this video (and in Flamenco dancing?) is probably considered a plus in African American (Soul) line dancing.

   ReplyDelete

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A Timeline of African American (Soul) Line Dance Records With Call Outs From 1959 To 2010 (a complete reprint of a 2025 Facebook post by Clevetta R Young)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a timeline of African American (Soul) line dance records with call outs from 1959 to 2010.

This post is a complete reprint of a May 2025 Facebook post by Clevetta R Young.

A few selected comments from that Facebook post are also reprinted in this pancocojams post. 

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Clevetta R Young and all others who were involved in this research. Thanks also to Clevetta R Young for her involvement with Soul line dancing. Thanks to all those who recorded the songs and choreographed the dances that are listed in this time line and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Clevetta R. Young is an African American woman who is a line dance choreographer and instructor. She is also the administrator of the Houston Soul Line Dancers (H.S.L.D) Facebook page, among other Soul line dance Facebook pages.

In the conclusion of that post about timelines in those specified years for soul line dances with call outs, Clevetta R. Young encouraged people to reprint that post so that more people would be aware about this information.

I'm glad that I happened upon this Facebook post as a result of my online research into the history of African American line dancing.
-snip-
Please share more information about Clevetta R. Young and -if needed- correct the information about her that I've included in this post. Thanks! 

****
A TIMELINE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCE RECORDS WITH CALL OUTS FROM 1959 TO 2010
[a complete reprint with minor reformatting from https://www.facebook.com/groups/centerstagelinedancers/posts/9946505088748560

Clevetta R Young, Admin, May 19, 2025

"Listen up everyone, I have been asked this question alot of times, so let me break it down to ya.

This is a ** TIMELINE ** of Line Dance Records... What's a Line Dance Record people always ask? A song that is Specifically made for Line Dancing that has "CALL OUT'S" telling the people what to do in the song.

There is a difference between a Line Dance Song and Songs people make Line Dances to.

Example.. "The Bikers Shuffle" is a Line Dance Song.. It was made specifically for Line Dancing..... "The Wobble" Is a Rap Song that someone put a previous made Line Dance to.. It's Not an Official Line Dance "SONG"... Again The Wobble Just like "Cant get enough" by Tamia, The Electric Slide by Marcia Griffith are "SONG'S" someone put a "LINE DANCE" to!

Here is the TIME LINE of LINE DANCE "SONG'S" from the very 1st known Line Dance in 1959 till 2010.

Mind you, im only giving you the Time line of what year that Artist's 1st Line Dance Song was released. Because folks like myself and others such as Mixx Master Lee, Mr.C , Dj Maestro, Cupid, Meechie & Ent Distikt has numerous Line Dance Songs created after our 1st Release.

Here is the Timeline ... The Year, Name of Song and Artist

#1. 1959 - "It's Madison Time" by Ray Bryant w/ Call outs by Mr. E. Morrision

#2. 1960 - "The Madison" by Al Brown w/ Call outs by Mr. Cookie Brown

#3. 1975 - "The Bus Stop-The Original Electric Slide" by Charlie Green (Call outs by Charlie Green)

#4. 1997 - "The Cleveland Shuffle" by Big Mucci (71 North) (Call out's by Big Mucci

#5. 1998 - "The Chinese Checkers" by Mix Master Lee & Louis Lane (Call Out by Louis Lane)

#6. 2000 - "Cha Cha Slide" by Mr. C (Call Out's by Mr. C)

#7. 2006 - "The Turbo Hustle" by Dj Maestro (Call Out's by Lenora Douglas)

#8. 2006 - "The Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid (Call Out's by Cupid)

#9. 2007 - "The Down South Shuffle by R-3 (Call Out's by R-3)

#10. 2009 - "Shake Ya Tailfeather" by Demertic Allen a.k.a Meechie (Call Out's by Meechie)

#11. 2009 - "The Monkey Feet" by Pyraci (Call outs by Pyraci)

#12. 2010 - "Row Row" by Black Zack (Call Out's by Black Zack)

#13. 2010 - "Same Ole 2 Step" by Ent. Distrikt (Call outs by Ent. Distrikt)

Honorable Mentions... 1994 .. "Tootsie Roll' by 69 Boyz (Call outs 69 Boyz) ... The Tootsie Roll is actually a DANCE, BUT!!!!! In Todays Line Dance Culture it Could Also be seen as a 1 Wall (Not 4 Wall) but a 1 Wall Line Dance..

If you know of a Line Dance "SONG" with "Call Out's" before 2010 that i missed please leave The Year, The name of song, The Artist and the name of the artist who was doing the "Call Out's!!

I had to educate the difference between a Line Dance Song & Songs that people Just put a Line Dance to! and how to let people see the time line.

A lot of people do not know, when I came out with my Cleveland Shuffle Line Dance that was made in 1997 along with my song Boodie Bounce but with Boodie Bounce I didn’t put call outs to it…That before me the Last Call Out Line Dance song was The Bus Stop in 1975.

So from 1975 after the Bus Stop, till I dropped in 1997 mins you that’s a 22 year Gap there was NO OFFICIAL Line Dance Record with Call Outs… till me, and as we see After me and the popularity of my song the Cleveland Shuffle now there is a flood of Line Dance Songs with call outs …

@everyone

****
SELECTED COMMENTS (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1.Marie Mendes Alcazar, 2025
"Impressive, thanks for sharing!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽"

**
Reply 
2.Clevetta R Young (Author,Admin)
"Marie Mendes Alcazar Jackie Lilly and I talk about this often. I got this from her. I’m asking her and others to share. I want to know!! You know me 😉. History and Education are very important."

**
Reply
3.Marie Mendes Alcazar, 2025
"Clevetta R Young absolutely!!"

**
4. Catrina Daniel, 2025, 2025
"glad [she] recognized that durn so called wobble is not the wobble. It's Nasty Girls by Dave Bush"

****
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"Set It Off" And Four Other YouTube Videos Of African American (Soul) Line Dances That Were Choreographed For Music That Wasn't Recorded For Line Dancing (Part I)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - August 17, 2026

This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series that showcases some YouTube video examples of African American (Soul) line dances that were choreographed for music that wasn't recorded for line dancing. .

The videos in this pancocojams series focus on the line dance routine more than on the record itself.

Most of these showcased line dances have multiple YouTube video examples. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/follow-me-four-other-youtube-videos-of.html for Part II of this pancocojams series.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/good-foot-superbad-four-other-youtube.html for Part III of this pancocojams series.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the recording artists and to all other who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the producers and the publishers of these videos on YouTube. 
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-five-most-watched-youtube-videos-of.html for Part I of a three part pancocojams series that lists the African American (Soul) line dance videos that were #1-#5 on August 11, 2026 based on the total views of their official YouTube music video.  

That post also include links to Part II and Part III of that pancocojams series. Those posts list the African American (Soul) line dance videos that were #6-#15 on August 13, 2026 based on the total views of their official YouTube music video. 

These examples were recorded specifically for line dancing (i.e. at least part of their lyrics consists of instructions about how to perform that line dance). 
****
SOME EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCES THAT WERE CHOREOGRAPHED FOR MUSIC THAT WASN'T RECORDED FOR LINE DANCING

These examples are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 -Set It Off Line Dance

Line Dancing With Terressa, Oct 18, 2019

Song: Set It Off

Artist: Strafe 

Choreographer:

Class Information:
Monday and Thursday 730-9 PM
815 Willie Pitts Jr. Rd.. Albany, Ga.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF7Dtvrn0Fw&t=224s
-snip-
"Set It Off" is a now classic 1984 electro-funk and post-disco anthem by Strafe (Steve Standard)

Among other uses, "Set It Off" is the music that members of the historically Black Greek letter sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc use for one of their strolls. Here's a link to a YouTube video short of that stroll: https://youtube.com/shorts/pI1-35-CI0M?si=225Bsy7nb2vWr1vO @everlastingdecisions, FAMU [Florida A&M University chapter of  AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Set It Off

****
SHOWCASE  VIDEO #2 - Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) (Official Video)

MarciaGriffiths, Apr 8, 2018

Copyright: (C) 1990 The Island Def Jam Music Group

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vF84LABHm0
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Slide for information about The Electric Slide.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - The Best Man Electric Slide Scene( Candy- Cameo) Dance



RockKG973, May 8, 2013

One of my favorite movie scenes ever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w2Anvecs6s
-snip-
Here's some information about Cameo's record "Candy" being used for line dancing routine that is the same as "The Electric Slide":

AI Overview
" Cameo’s 1986 funk song "Candy" gained widespread mainstream and cultural popularity as an accompaniment to the Electric Slide following its prominent feature in the 1999 film [The Best Man] (imdb.com), though opinions on social media and music forums are mixed, with some clubgoers recalling the pairing in local scenes earlier in the 1990s.

Origins and Rise
The Original Dance: The Electric Slide line dance was created in 1976 and traditionally performed to tracks like Marcia Griffiths' 1983 recording of "Electric Boogie".

The 1999 Milestone: The pairing with Cameo's "Candy" was cemented into pop culture when the cast performed the routine to the song in [The Best Man] (imdb.com), turning it into a staple at weddings and social gatherings often referred to as the "Candy Dance".

Early Adoption: On platforms like Mobile DJ Network, opinions are mixed; some users remember dancers matching the Electric Slide to Cameo's track in underground or regional clubs prior to the movie's release.Watch this clip highlighting the famous scene from The Best Man that popularized dancing to Candy"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Tamia Line Dance Can't Get Enough

IcedPink,Oct 28, 2022

BEST TAMIA LINE DANCE VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9HRyzdlQCk
-snip-
AI Overview indicates that "The line dance associated with Tamia's 2006 song "Can't Get Enough" was originally choreographed in April 2002 by Jo Thompson Szymanski as a country line dance called "Come Dance with Me" to a track by Nancy Hays. The steps were later adapted to fit Tamia's R&B song around 2010 by dancers in South Carolina."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - R. Kelly - Step in the name of love  

thearchiebexperience, Jan 5, 2013

Dance:" STEP IN THE NAME OF LOVE" LINE DANCE CREATED BY CHRIS OF US DJ NETWORK

Song: STEP IN THE NAME OF LOVE (REMIX) BY R. KELLY

[...]

Join us at The Archie B. Experience Line Dancing if you want to meet people, exercise mind & body, and just have fun learning soul line dances in a "NO ONE LEFT BEHIND ATMOSPHERE". We meet every Tuesday, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM( line dance w/ instruction), then 7:30 PM- 9:00 PM (non-stop line dancing) at UPTOWN 78 LOUNGE, 8280 FM 78, Converse, TX, 78109

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pom1Kp5UNiU&t=125s
-snip-

The "Step in the Name of Love" line dance is a popular 16-count, 4-wall soul line dance performed to R. Kelly's 2003 R&B hit "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)". It is a staple at family reunions, weddings, and social clubs, blending classic mid-tempo stepping with smooth, rhythmic group movement

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_in_the_Name_of_Love, the earliest documentation for R. Kelly's song "Step in the Name of Love" dates back to 2002, when it was originally recorded and included on his unreleased studio project titled Loveland before leaking and later being officially re-recorded for his 2003 album Chocolate Factory

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This concludes Part I of this multi-part pancocojams series.

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