Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity & Its Alpha Walk (also known as "Ape Walk" - information, comments & videos

Drkch03, Published on Apr 21, 2008

A Phi A Ape Walking at FISS 2008 Greek Fest
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Selected comments from the discussion thread for this video are found in the video section 
of this pancocojams post.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - January 30, 2026

This pancocojams post presents information, comments about, and videos of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc's "Alpha Walk"("Ape Walk").

This group performance movement is also known as "The Alpha Stroll" and possibly other names.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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A portion of this post was published in this 2013 pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/deconstructing-stereotype-of-black.html Deconstructing The Stereotype Of Black People As Apes & Monkeys

Basically the same content was also republished in 2023  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/05/alpha-phi-alpha-fraternity-alpha-walk.html

except for a few visitor comments in both posts.
.
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TWO STATEMENTS FROM ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S NATIONAL HISTORIANS

STATEMENTS FROM TWO ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. HISTORIANS

Statement #1
From https://www.facebook.com/btlalpha/posts/a-moment-in-alpha-history-alpha-man-or-ape-manthe-historical-context-of-this-mom/734498876564239/ 

Beta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

October 29, 2013 ·

A Moment In Alpha History: Alpha Man or Ape Man
..."It was a little over four decades after slavery and sixteen years after the first African-American students graduated from Cornell University, in the 1905-1906 academic school year, the response came after the feeling of isolation and the real challenges of being black students scattered broadly across a wide Cornell University campus, it was then that a few educated black young students, not apes, decided to create a social study club. This club served the dual purpose of helping the men with scholastic studies as well as providing a structure to build a community and a fellowship. The young men who envisioned a solid foundation of leadership, scholarship, and brotherhood to conceptualize a model for all other black Greek-letter organizations to follow, transformed the lives of its members, and provided the country with some of its most distinguished leaders.

On the sloping hills of Cornell University, on December 4th during a period through the racial barriers of time, seven young men founded the conception of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, in Ithaca, New York. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity revered those young men as our “Seven Jewels”, saw the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood among African descendants in this country not apes. ”Society offered us narrowly circumscribed opportunity and no security. Out of our need, our Fraternity brought social purpose and social action. We wanted more than the traditional American college fraternity. Our job ahead required a fellowship, which would embrace those millions outside the ’talented tenth.’ We realize that the leaders of any people emerge chiefly from the best-trained, best oriented members of the group”. Jewel Henry Arthur Callis.

I say all of this today in this moment whereby I was in conversation with another gentlemen from another fellow Greek fraternity spoke to me and greeted me “What’s up Ape Man”? Little did he know he caused a firestorm of a response, which led to an apology on his behalf? The efforts of our founders and the opportunity to join this great fraternity, I was not look upon as an ape but at a young man to say what I can do for Alpha. I dare not belittle the dream of the founders to refer to my fellow Alpha men as an Ape Man. I even had a small thought what if we replace some poems with “There goes an Ape Man” or “To be an Ape Man” or “Test of an Ape”….

Our founders, just in case you forgot, Jewel Callis, Jewel Chapman, Jewel Jones, Jewel Kelly, Jewel Murray, Jewel Ogle, Jewel Tandy, were well inform, educated, intellectual young black men, who set the standards of other men to follow. From a period where black men were ridiculed with the “N” word or with the mocking of being associated with an ape or monkey as our place of origin or classification, but our founders saw a different black men to represent our heritage as Noble, educated, men of class and of industry. What disappoints me is to constantly see the misrepresentation of Alpha Phi Alpha associated with presentation of an Ape as our symbol, sounds or moniker. Have we gone back in time to Jim Crow or should we live in the future. I take the stand to no longer support the continuation the use of the APE out of the context that it is intended to be the face for Alpha. I ask you today what symbol do you want to represent Alpha Phi Alpha now or in the next 50 years. But I can assure you today and when I’m called into the Omega Chapter, that I’m not an Ape-man. I stand before you as an Alpha man. This is your moment in Alpha History.

Brother Sean Hall, Historian"
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I reformatted this excerpt to increase its readability. 
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_r5zdPkDZE for a YouTube video entitled #1 Alpha Phi Alpha Stroll 2009 BE. ( NC A&T )". This video shows Alphas doing what is described as an "old school" stroll while wearing a t-shirt with the word " APE".

****
Statement #2
From https://apa1906.net/the-derogatory-meaning-of-the-ape-a-perspective-from-the-national-historian/ "The Derogatory Meaning Of The Ape From The National Historian"
..."When racists want to denigrate African Americans, they usually compare us to animals, more specifically “apes,” as Roseanne Barr tweeted on Monday, May 28th, about Valerie Jarrett, who served in the White House as Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. White racists, who could not stomach the presence of African Americans in the White House in any capacity other than as servants, often referred to Barack and Michelle Obama as “apes.” 

[...]

Many Brothers want to use some form of transformation to mark the transition from pledge to member of Alpha Phi Alpha. They have seized on the metaphor of evolution from “ape” to “man.” But that metaphor is fraught with stereotypical dangers with which we should not want to be associated. Other than evolution, we could use other models such as metamorphosis. Or, we could use qualifications for membership in a guild from apprenticeship, to journeyman, to master craftsman. We could adapt rites of passage programs that avoid stereotypes. Stereotypes die hard, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity of all organizations should not be complicit in perpetuating them. The image of the “ape” is not one with which we should want to be associated. It runs counter to everything that Alpha Phi Alpha was built on and stands for. In its verb form, “to ape,” means to imitate. While others might base their organizations on brute strength, men of Alpha are leaders and men of intellect who set the standard for others to follow. We do not “ape” anyone or anything and need to abandon the image of the “ape.”

Bro. Robert L. Harris Jr., Ph.D.
National Historian"
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No publishing date was given with this statement, but it was probably published in 2018. Click https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roseanne-barr-racist-valerie-jarrett-tweet-also-compared-susan-rice-to-ape/ for the May 30, 2018 article entitled "Roseanne Barr compared Susan Rice, another black Obama official, to an ape in 2013".

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITORIAL NOTE

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first historically Black Greek letter fraternity.

Although it's clear from watching videos of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (APhiA; Alphas) step shows & strolls that a number of Alphas consider apes as their unofficial mascot, symbol, or icon, this symbolism is unofficial.

This is underscored by the fact that there's no mention of apes being a symbol of A Phi A on that organization's website http://www.alpha-phi-alpha.com or on the Wikipedia page about that organization http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Phi_Alpha.
"Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ) is the first Black, Inter-Collegiate Greek-Lettered fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) that soon followed in its footsteps. It employs an icon from Ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx of Giza as its symbol, and its aims are "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind," and its motto is First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."...
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An excerpt from Alpha Protocol & Etiquette Manual by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity reads "Brothers and chapters are prohibited from using the ape publicly to represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc." https://issuu.com/apa1906network/docs/protocol_etiquette_manual/18

Also, a note credited to Rashid Darden on a Pinterest page for Alpha paraphernalia (shirts, jackets etc) reads "THIS IS A NO NO....The Ape is not in any way associated with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, yet many brothers wear this type of clothing to official Alpha events and in photos representing Alpha. Not a good look" https://www.pinterest.com/pin/511158626426311047/?lp=true

The number of Alphas who associate "apes" with their fraternity is evident in a number of the Alpha Phi Alpha step show/stroll YouTube videos as well as in a number of comments in those video's discussion threads. Examples are given below.

Online references to "apes" and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. occur in YouTube videos of and comments about the strutting group movement art called a "walk" (also known as a "stroll"). Comments that I've found online (given below) strongly suggest that the "ape walk" is a newer term for what was once called (and may still be called) the "Alpha walk". Also, these online comments and an excerpt from Elizabeth C. Fine's book Steppin suggest that the "ape" and/or the name "Ape Walk" were unofficially adopted by members of Alpha Phi Alpha in the 1980s, although the "walk" itself is older than that.

In the context of historically Black fraternities/sororities, a "walk" (also known as a "stroll") is a movement performance art in which two or more people form a single file and do uncomplicated, repetitive, choreographed motions while moving at a slow pace in a circular manner, usually to recorded Hip Hop/R&B music. "Walks" ("strolls" can be competitive (i.e. performed during competitive step shows or stroll contests) or non-competitive (performed- sometimes extemporaneously- during social events such as parties (i.e. "party walks") or Greek (fraternity/sorority) picnics.

The "Ape Walk" ("Alpha Walk"/"Alpha Stroll") is usually performed to the Hop Hop record "Mic Checka Remix" by Das EFX.

**
The "Alpha Walk" was performed long before the "Alpha Male" meme "became a thing" in mainstream American media. However,  there's no doubt that the Alpha man meme reinforced some positive meanings that members of Alpha Phi Alpha had given to their Alpha Walk. 

Here's a quote about the Alpha male and how the Alpha male walks from https://www.politicsphere.com/how-alpha-males-walk/ "How Alpha Males Walk" published by Desmond K by Desmond K  May 7, 2022

"An Alpha male is a true gentleman. Being a gentleman is an integral part of a guy’s core value, and it isn’t something that he can put on and take off like a t-shirt. It follows him everywhere. Alpha males carry around confidence and high self-esteem. These characteristics help distinguish them from other people. An alpha male would stand tall with good looks, excellent speaking skills, and well-groomed in a public space. They are naturally effective leaders who may take charge at any moment, especially in a group or gathering. They may be identified by simply looking. Given his public presence and appearance, one might wonder how an alpha male walks.   

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BOOK EXCERPT ABOUT ALPHAS AND THE APE WALK
From Elizabeth C. Fine's 2003 book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows quotes a passage in Howard University's 1988 Bison yearbook mentions apes in reference to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
P.40
..."One of the few descriptions of a different type of step show-the probate show-appears in the 1988 Bison. In “Probation prior to Vacation: Karen Samuels provides colorful details about the performances of five pledge clubs, demonstrating the importance of movement, song, and symbolic costumes....

There are also photographs of the AKA pledge club, the Delta pledges performing their ritual duck walk; and the “Nubian Apes of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc.” who “let out whoops and snatched members of the audience into their arms as they prepare to cross the burning sands into Alpha land.” [Samuel, Bison, “Probation Prior to Vacation” 14-15
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Another passage in Elizabeth C. Fine's book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows quotes a passage in Howard University's 1988 Bison yearbook that mentions apes in reference to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; P.40
..."One of the few descriptions of a different type of step show-the probate show-appears in the 1988 Bison. In “Probation prior to Vacation: Karen Samuels provides colorful details about the performances of five pledge clubs, demonstrating the importance of movement, song, and symbolic costumes"
-snip-
There are also photographs of the AKA pledge club, the Delta pledges performing their ritual duck walk; and the “Nubian Apes of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc.” who “let out whoops and snatched members of the audience into their arms as they prepare to cross the burning sands into Alpha land.” [Samuel, Bison, “Probation Prior to Vacation” 14-15]

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COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 [given at the top of this post]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKMGpWnzm5k

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.

[Comment #1 was posted in response to a question that was asked about the name of the recorded song that is used for this stroll. That comment is no longer available.]  

1. @Drkch03, 2009
"Mic Checka by Das EFX"

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Reply
2. @s86phoenix, 2011
"@sertafacation Das EFX - Mic Checka remix

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Reply
3. @171TITO, 2011
"@balla2305 Its called Mic Checka from Das Efx debut album 'Dead Serious'

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4.@Geechie2ATL, 2009
"Yep it's called the "Alpha Walk" here in GA. The Delta Eta chapter at Savannah State University started it even before I came in (in spring 02). Mic Checka by Daz Efx is the official song thanks to our old heads - and thanks to our many roads trips and step shows, everyone knows it! AAAAAA PHHHII!!!!!"

Phi-Skee!!!

We spread it through roads trips (always visiting another school - especially here in GA) and of course conventions. I think we deserve a little credit for it's popularity - and no one does it like us either (not that I care). Do you guys still do it?"

**
5. @blackadam06, 2009
"Way to be ice cold Phrat..

Y'all make a old bruh proud..

FA '99

BX

#2"

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Reply
6 @pettisk28, 2009
"Not sure who this is, but I read your post and wanted to correct you...The Alpha Walk was created by the Beta Nu Chapter of A Phi A at Florida A&M in the early 1990s when Mic Checka remix came out.

I pledged in Spr. 99 BN and trust me, there is no chapter who does it like we do...I am glad that other chapters (probably through regional/national conventions and visits to FAM) have tried to adopt it, but please give proper credit where it is due.

Pettis Kent

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Reply
7. @pettisk28, 2009
"My bad for coming on so strong, but the reason why I responded like that is because far too often, proper credit is not given for certain things especially within the frat.  

Anyway, yes, we do the alpha walk at the end of each party we have, as well as other parties and we do it at steps shows, frat house BBQs, etc.  I think if you search Beta Nu Alphas, you may be able to see same clips of the current guys doing it.

Take care of yourself bruh, and thanks for doing the Alpha walk.

PK"

**
Reply
8.Blockchaindoc06, 2019
"I'll have to agree with pettisk28 on his point. I remember going up to FAMU in like '94-96 and bruhs were definitely doing the A-Walk to Mic Checka. The BN bruhs definitely deserve props for that. Because the stroll is so cold it has been adopted many chapters. I'm just happy to see the bruhs from the Florida Fed. showing love and repping nationwide like they are currently. Much love to all the Florida bruhs especially my Tau Delta chapter bruhs!

Nutty Professor

#2TDSp99"

**
9. Reply
@Geechie2ATL, 2009
"Wow...uh ok. I heard of the florida walk that your band used to do (correct me if I'm wrong). I see this is pretty important to you. No one trying to take credit away. Thanks for your 2 cents...Great job...

We spread it through roads trips (always visiting another school - especially here in GA) and of course conventions. I think we deserve a little credit for it's popularity - and no one does it like us either (not that I care). Do you guys still do it?"

**
Reply
10. @Geechie2ATL. 2009
"The original is a lil bit different though" . 

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Reply
11 @LooseEnds06, 2009
"Let me put my 7 cents in - I pledged in the 80's before Mic Checka was ever a song and the Alphas were doing the Ape Walk back then even before I pledged!!! And yes, we called it the Ape Walk then! These brothers are doing the Ape Walk as we did then, but the Ape Walk was a smooth and cool party hop.  We also placed our right hand on the right shoulder of the brother in front of us while doing the Ape Walk too! And just as these brothers are saying "my leg, my leg, my %#& leg," we did as well!"

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Reply
12. @onwardlight6091, 2009
"interesting the "APE" walk done in texas is different..it actually looks like an APE walking in part of the strut which is weird because i always wondered who studied an ape and put it in a strut..lol"

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13. @blackadam06, 2009
"Way to be ice cold Phrat.

Y'all make a old bruh proud..

FA '99

BX

#2".

**
14. @bulletsnr, 2010
"In the midwest, it's called the 'Old Man'.  No matter what it's called, it's the ish and I miss that ish!

#2 Khafre, Fall '97, Bloody O!"

**
15.@syion100, 2012
"The gorrilla mask guy and the one next to him was killing that sh-t*"
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

**
16. @icebergo6, 2018
"The Apewalk and The Train!"

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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS & COMMENTS

Video #2: Alphas @ Strolling on the Moon



BakerClassics, Published on May 11, 2010
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Alphas do the Ape Walk in the beginning of the video
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The Ape Walk is done to Mic Checka Remix - Das EFX. This appears to be the record that is always used for this Alpha walk/stroll,

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Video #3: Infamous APhiA Stroll



BigMonayBlamz, Published on Apr 17, 2012

Had to do an english project on something relating to FSU so I decided to do it on the NPHC and the MGC. This is just a part of my project, I recorded the Infamous Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc strolling at FSU's marekt Wednesday during Alpha weeek.

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Video #4: Alpha Phi Alpha WIN 2012 Atlanta Greek Picnic step show



Atlanta Greek Picnic, Published on Jun 17, 2012

Alpha Phi Alpha WIN 2012 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show
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In a portion of that video (around 1:42 to around 2:10) & in some other A Phi A step routines, Alphas mimic apes. They crouch down and jump up & down like apes. They hold their arms to the side like apes, hit their chest & hit the ground in front of where they are standing. And they make ape sounds while looking menacing. In some videos of Alpha strolls [party walks] one or more members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity wear a gorilla mask.

Here are two comments from viewers of the step show video that is featured above:
1. "MY BLACK MY BLACK MY BBBBBBBBBLACK!
A Phi to the Apes! Congrats bruhs!"
-Santwon Hines, 2012

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2. "thats how APES do it . great performance PHRAT . you APES did your thing ."
PHROZEN spr' 12
Gamma Kappa
Miles College
-tri66z, 2012

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Visitor comments are welcome.

"Ice Ice Too Cold Too Cold" And Other Examples Of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity "Ice Cold" Chants And Motifs

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - May 20, 2026

This pancocojams post provides information about and examples of the historically Black Greek letter fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc's signature chant "Ice Ice".

This post proves that The title and chorus of Vanilla Ice's 1989/1990 hit Rap song "Ice Ice Baby" originated from the signature chant of the historically Black Greek lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated (A Phi A; Alphas).

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/origin-of-brrr-its-cold-in-here-cheer.html

"The Origin Of The "Brrr It's Cold In Here" Cheer"

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DISCLAIMER
The statements I make about Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice cold" motif are in no way official. I'm am not affiliated in any way with that fraternity, except as a long inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a sorority which is unofficially considered by many persons involved with historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations to be the Alphas' sister organization.

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DEBUNKING THE VIEW THAT VANILLA ICE ORIGINATED THE "ICE ICE BABY" WORDS IN HIS SONG WITH THAT TITLE
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Ice_Baby
"Robert Van Winkle, better known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, bas[ed] its lyrics upon his experiences in South Florida.[1] The lyrics describe a drive-by shooting and Van Winkle's rhyming skills.[2] The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national African American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.[3][4]

3. Keyes, Cheryl L (2004). "Blending and Shaping Styles: Rap and Other Musical Voices". Rap Music and Street Consciousness. University of Illinois Press. p. 107.
          

4.Fine, Elizabeth Calvert (2003). "The Cultural Politics of Step Shows". Soulstepping: African American Step Shows. University of Illinois Press. p. 145."
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Also, Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze includes a scene in which Alphas from Morehouse University step while chanting "Ice Ice Baby". Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" song wasn't released until 1989.

Instead of repeating the basic fact that the "Ice Ice baby" song title is lifted from the Alpha Phi Alpha signature chant and motif, this post provides examples of Alpha Phi Alpha's use of the "ice ice too cold too cold", "ice", and "ice cold" motif. In addition, I present two statements from Alphas and my speculation about the sources of that "ice cold" motif, and what they mean.

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POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
These opinions about the sources for this motif are presented in no particular order. The numbers are given for referencing purposes only.
1. I received an email on October 8, 2012 from [Alpha Phi Alpha member] Charles K. that indicated that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s "Ice Ice, baby" has its origin in the poem "Excelsior" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Charles K. quoted the first verse of that poem. Here's that portion of that poem as it was sent to the fraternity and sorority page of my no longer active cocojams.com website by a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity:
"Excelsior! (poem)

"ICE, ICE, BABY..." | "Ever Higher", "Onward and Upward"

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore,
'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"...
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According to ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excelsior_(Longfellow) "The poem [Excelsior"] describes a young man passing through a town bearing the banner "Excelsior" (translated from Latin as "ever higher", also loosely but more widely as "onward and upward"), ignoring all warnings, climbing higher until inevitably, "lifeless, but beautiful" he is found by the "faithful hound" half-buried in the snow, "still clasping in his hands of ice that banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"

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2. email from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. to Azizi Powell
 On July 27, 2014 I received an email from from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., author of the book The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. In a portion of that email, he wrote "You asked if the "Ice Ice Baby" predated 1989 ... and it most certainly did. Way before. It comes from our founder Vertner Woodson Tandy talking about Alphas needing to fight, and even if hell freezes over, "We'll fight on the ice." And from there, you get the evolution to Ice Ice Baby."

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To emphasize this point: the word "ice" in the Alpha chant "Ice Ice baby" refers to the value of being coldly determined and steadfast, refusing to be deterred from one's goal (of becoming an Alpha, and by extension, other worthy life goals.

By the way, Lawrence C. Ross's book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of historically Black Greek letter[ed] fraternities and sororities.

****
3. The reference to "ice cold" might have been influenced by -if not created because- the first "line" (group) of Alphas occurred on a cold December day. Here's the comment that prompted me to think about that possibility:
MissLG Taylor,* 2011
"The first Alphas probate was held on the ice cold day of December 4, 1906.. it was so cold they shook.. so they shook to show homage to them :)"
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc

*That commenter also wrote "My dad is an Alpha and I find BLGO interesting". [BGLO = Black Greek letter[ed] organizations, meaning "historically Black fraternities and sororities that use three letters of the Greek alphabet".

4. The positive cultural meanings of being "ice cold" and of being "cool" may be considered as sources for the motif's use by Alphas. Read more about those cultural meanings in the next section.
-snip-
I wonder if reasons #1-#3 were thought of after the fact to fit the cultural meanings of "ice" and "ice cold" for the Alphas.

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MY SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE MEANING OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" MOTIF
I believe that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's use of "ice" and "ice cold", i.e., being "cold as ice" encapsulates the high value in African American culture of being stoic in the face of difficulties, being "cold blooded" in the positive sense of that word. In African American Vernacular English terms, we say "not letting anything "phase" you"(not letting anything negative bother you).

Men striving to become Alphas place a high value on having the dedication, will, courage, and fortitude it takes to persevere in spite of difficulties, until you reach your goal of becoming an Alpha; an Alpha can not be deterred if difficulties occur. Alphas' "coldness" means that they are :determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute, "on point", "hard", unemotional, and heartless when it comes to their cheer performances. 

The word "cold" and the word "ice cold" can have several meanings at the same time for men who are pledging Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and for men who are already members of that fraternity. Here are some other likely meanings of "cold" and "too cold" in the culture of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc: 

-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to the cold day on December 4, 1906 when Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded at Cornell University, New York.

-"Cold" and "ice cold" refers to being "determined", unwavering", steadfast, fixed, serious, resolute etc. on being a member of that fraternity, and living up to the fraternity's  mission and ideals.

-The word "cold" is the highest form of "cool" (awesome, great, wonderful etc.

-The word "cold” can also mean being unemotional (showing no emotion) or heartless.
I don’t think that’s what that word "cold" means in Alpha chants and statements, except that being emotionless may be a strategy to achieve the desired condition of being resolute (determined) to reach one’s goal of being a member of that fraternity and having the appropriate attitude when you represent that fraternity in stepping and stroll competitions and otherwise.

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For the cultural record, it should be noted that television depictions of stepping on several African American television series in the 1990s were largely directed (if not performed) by one or more actual members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Here's a comment that was published in the discussion thread for a video of a stepping performance in the Fresh Prince television series in which the step team chanted "Ice cold" while they do that step routine. ("Ice cold" is a signature statement and chant for that historically Black Greek letter fraternity.)

@bigbruhdocg4028, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a5A9h5MZlM
"This is my 1st time seeing this post on you tube after all these years but im the 1st guy vernon and yes in the 90's we did most of the black shows "a different world", I choreographed the movie house party 2 , arsenio, hall, yes sister sister and the list goes on. those are my fraternity brothers we are from alpha phi alpha  fraternity inc. i will be posting more footage soon!"
-snip-
This comment was written in response to several previous comments about him being cast as a fraternity stepper in several television series in the 1990s. 

**
For the cultural record, it should be also be noted that in African American English, something or someone "being cold" and "being hot" ("bringing the heat")  can both mean "being awesome" mean "being awesome. A person or group can "bring the heat" because they are coldblooded in their dedication to and their performance of what they are doing.

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EXAMPLES OF ALPHA CHANTS
1. WE ARE THE BROTHERS OF A PHI A

We are the brothers of A Phi A
Ice, Ice
We're going to make yo-a-a-ll say
"Ice, Ice"
And when you see the Black and Gold.
Ice, Ice.
you know it's gonna be
a heck of a show (normally helluva but censored for the festival)
Ice, Ice,

We're too cold,
we're too darn (damn) cold.
Ice, Ice".
We are the brothers of the Black and Gold
Ice Ice (twice)

Source: quoted in Elizabeth fine's 2003 book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows, p. 123.
This book is another must read for those interested in BGLOs.

*crack= insult, diss
-snip-
That example was given in this passage about p. 123 as an example of "trade" or "signature steps".
"Trade or signature steps. while based on a traditional core, gain power and appeal through variations that reflect an ability to adapt to the audience and theme of a particular occasion, Thus, Alpha Phi Alpha's well-known trade chant "Ice Ice" (which inspired the white rapper Vanilla Ice's national hit of 1990 "Ice, Ice, Baby") can be used to crack*, or to boast, or for more serious purposes. Alpha Phi Alpha, for example, used "Ice, Ice" to boast during a show at the Dance Heritage Festival at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City in 1991".
-snip-
Elizabeth Fine goes on to quote another example of "Ice Ice" which was used by the Alphas in another venue.

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2. ICE ICE ICE TOO COLD TOO COLD

I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”.
I said “Ooh it's cold in here”.
I said “There must be some Alphas in the atmosphere”
It’s like ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice.
Ice ice ice,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice ice,
the black and gold.
-transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk, Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009 [given as Video Example #1 below]

The "black and gold" refers to that fraternity's colors.

3. WE ARE THE ICE COLD BROTHERS OF A PHI A

We are the
ice cold brothers of-ah A PHI A.
We rock * that black and gold until the day we die.
So when you see us in the street
Expect to be holified.
Ice ice baby,
WHAT!
Too cold too cold.
IT’S LIKE

Begin step routine

Aaaah
ICE!

do another step

Aaaah
ICE!

do another step

Aaaah
ICE!
- transcription from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajhKrRrlpk Alpha Phi Alpha stepping , video uploaded in 2009, given below as Example #2

* I'm unsure of this word

"Holified" is a made up word based on the word "holy". In the context of this chant, it probably means something like "amazed".
-snip-
A third member of that fraternity speaks to the audience and says “We are the ice cold brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inc. Alpha Phi Alpha was founded on an ICE COLD Tuesday of December 4, 1906 at Cornel University,,, [the step team does a head down step move when saying "Ice cold"]

At the completion of the show the step team end with a routine and end by saying “ We are ice cold!”

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ADDITIONAL TEXT EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF "ICE" OR "ICE COLD" IN REFERENCE TO ALPHAS
Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqffhURTQEc Alpha Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha Morehouse College Fall 2011 Neophyte Show
Morpheus, 2011
"Well done brothers.........very well done. Ice cold salutations....... #4, Fall '06, Mighty RHO, "Morpheus""
-snip-
"Might Rho" is a referent for the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. That chapter was founded at Morehouse University in 1924. A step team from that chapter is featured in Spike Lee's School Daze movie. That scene from that movie is given as Example #2 below.

**
Alan Ferguson Sr, 2013
"So Proud of my Ice Cold Brothas!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO6!!!"
-snip-
1906 was the year that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded.

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Comment from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
kwamkong766 years ago
"Whats so ICEY about this is OUR pledge club, the sphinxmen in the background holding the ICE ICE BABY sign. Spring 1996 right here baby! But yeah, Fall 82, etc...whew... 6-NS-96 (6 as in Sphinxman #6) Sadistic"
-snip-
This comment refers to the brief scene of the Alphas stepping to "Ice Ice Baby" in Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze.
-snip-
"Icey" here is a made up word that I believe means "hip", "cool", and other similar superlatives.

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VIDEO EXAMPLES OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY'S "ICE COLD" CHANTS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated posts presented first.

Example #1: Alpha Phi Alpha stepping



sarkazm69Uploaded on Mar 19, 2009

Alpha's from Mu Chi, Gamma Xi and orgs. from Dominguez Hills spoke about college, education and the future to H.S. students.
-snip-
Examples #1 and #2 above are from this video.

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Example #2: Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold



C. Allen Johnson, Published on Jul 3, 2014

Ice Ice Baby . . . . The Black & Gold

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
credit: school daze
-snip-
This same video clip was posted to YouTube in 2008 with the title “Step for real” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkiw_VDRQGk
that was published on YouTube in 2008.

I used the 2014 video instead of the 2008 one because its visual quality is much better. However, the 2008 video has some comments that are interesting from a historical/cultural perspective.

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Deconstructing The Stereotype Of Black People As Apes & Monkeys

Edited by Azizi Powell

I was motivated to publish this post as a result of reading about the Australian football (soccer) player Adam Goodes who was called "monkey" by a 13 year old girl during a game during that nation's week dedicated to honoring indigenous athletes.

Here's a video of an interview of that player in which he talks about that incident:

Adam Goodes response to a racist taunt, unedited.



Published on May 25, 2013

20 years after Nicky Winmar took a historic stand against racist taunts from the crowd, a spectator again hurled racist abuse at AFL star Adam Goodes.

It happened a day after the Australian Football League launched the indigenous round, intended to celebrate the role of aboriginal players.

This was Adam Goodes' response. This video is the unedited news conference.
-snip-
In that interview Adam Goodes talked about how hurtful it was to him, his family, and other Black people to be called ape or monkey. He repeatedly thanked his fellow players and others for the support that he has been given and asked for support for the 13 year old who called him an ape. Goodes indicated that he thought that the girl was repeating what she had heard and didn't understand what such a taunt meant.

Click http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/adam-goodes-full-racism-press-conference-transcript/story-fni5fan7-1226650424034 for a full transcript of that interview.

Click http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/27/1211965/-13-yo-Australian-Spectator-Thrown-Out-of-Football-Stadium-For-Racist-Remark for a discussion about that particular incident & about other incidents in which Black or Brown people are called apes or monkeys.

****
That incident motivated me to surf the internet to find information about the history of the stereotypess of Black peopel as apes & monkeys. Here's an excerpt of one article that I found:
From http://www.authentichistory.com/diversity/african/3-coon/6-monkey/
"A hateful association of Blacks with apes and monkeys was yet another way that the antebellum South justified slavery. Blacks were considered by some to be more simian than human, and therefore had no self-evident rights including freedom…The general acceptance of the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin were easily twisted into a means of identifying further “evidence” of the primitive status of Blacks...

The depiction of Blacks as apes and monkeys found expression in mainstream popular culture around the turn of the century*, especially in post cards. Often it was the zip or urban coon that was being caricatured, for the amusement of white consumers. Note the simian appearance of Black Americans in each of the postcards to the left, and how they have been dandified. These images are intended to be ironic, and to cater to the notion that Black coons are too stupid to understand that their efforts to assimilate into white culture only emphasize their inherent inferiority."
-snip-
No century was specified in that paragraph, but given the references to the late 1800s, I think that that sentence refers to the 20th century.

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There are numerous online documentation in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere of Black people being depicted as apes or monkeys, beng called apes or monkeys, and/or having banana peels thrown at them, alluded to this ape/monkey stereotype. Here's an excerpt from one website:
http://blackathlete.net/2012/11/king-kong-nuthin-me-monkey-business-sports-politcs/
"...this type of blatant in your face racism, especially coming from England, where the 2012 Olympic games were held, is almost the norm.

Just consider the racist history of how Black athletes are mocked, especially Black soccer players during soccer matches in England,Italy and Spain, when they are insulted by fans, who make monkey chants while they play.

Matter of fact, just last year, the Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos walked off the field when a banana was thrown toward him at a league match in Russia.

This is racism in its purest and rawest form.

Unfortunately, however, this evil practice and behavior of throwing bananas at Black athletes has even occurred during a NHL (National Hockey League)game as well.

For instance, a spectator threw a banana at Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds during an overtime shootout attempt during a the Flyers’ preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings in London, Ontario.

This, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident.

Why? Because former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Kevin Weekes had a banana thrown at him during a 2002 playoff series with the Montreal Canadians in Montreal as well.

Yeah, the more things change; the more they stay the same.

Because, unbelievably, just this year, during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, it showed up again, when Patricia Carroll, a Black camerawoman who works for CNN had peanuts thrown at her by two Caucasian males, who shouted at her “this is what we feed animals.”...

the real source of this fear of the Planet of Apes, is Barack Hussein Obama, who has had to experience the same type of racist name-calling that Black athletes like Jackie Robinson had to endured when he integrated Major League in April 15, 1947.

Obama, in fact, was called Curious George, who is cartoon monkey by South Carolina political consultant, Sen. Diane Black on Twitter the day after the election in 2008.

Plus, he was portrayed as a gorilla by NY Post cartoonist Sean Delonas who depicted two policemen, one with smoking gun, standing over a dead chimpanzee with the words, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”

****
COMMENTS ABOUT ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC AND THEIR UNOFFICIAL "APE" ICON
Given the history of Black people (and Brown people) being called apes and monkeys as a short-hand way of saying that we are more simian that human, it's surprising that the first historically Black (African American) Greek lettered fraternity that is still in existence Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has adopted apes as its unofficial mascot.

It's clear from watching videos of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (A Phi A; Alphas) step shows & strolls that persons associated with that fraternity consider apes as their unofficial mascot, symbol, or icon. That this symbolism is unofficial is underscored by the fact that there's no mention of apes being a symbol of A Phi A on that organization's website http://www.alpha-phi-alpha.com or on the Wikipedia page about that organization http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Phi_Alpha.

Note this overview from that Wikipedia page:
"Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ) is the first Black, Inter-Collegiate Greek-Lettered fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) that soon followed in its footsteps. It employs an icon from Ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx of Giza as its symbol, and its aims are "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind," and its motto is First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."...
-snip-
Yet, the the fact that a number of Alphas associate "apes" with their fraternity is clear in a number of the Alpha Phi Alpha step show/stroll videos as well as in a number of comments in those video's discussion threads. Here's one video example:

Alpha Phi Alpha WIN 2012 Atlanta Greek Picnic step show



Atlanta Greek Picnic, Published on Jun 17, 2012

Alpha Phi Alpha WIN 2012 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show
-snip-
In a portion of that video (around 1:42 to around 2:10) & in some other A Phi A step routines, Alphas act mimic apes. They crouch down and jump up & down like apes. They hold their arms to the side like apes, hit their chest & hit the ground in front of where they are standing. And they make ape sounds while looking menacing. In some videos of Alpha strolls [party walks] one or more members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity wear a gorilla mask.

Here are two comments from viewers of the step show video that is featured above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjy2gHKIaqk
"MY BLACK MY BLACK MY BBBBBBBBBLACK!
A Phi to the Apes! Congrats bruhs!"
-Santwon Hines, 2012
**
"thats how APES do it . great performance PHRAT . you APES did your thing ."
PHROZEN spr' 12
Gamma Kappa
Miles College
-tri66z, 2012

Revision February 17, 2019:
Several commenters in discussion threads of videos of the Alpha's Ape Walk wrote that unless you are a member of this organization, you wouldn't understand what "ape" means to them. Consequently, I chose to delete my guesses as to why members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chose the ape as their fraternity's [unofficial] icon.

That said, even though the reason/s for this choice are a secret, what is done in secret can impact people outside an organization and because historically and in this present time apes, gorillas, and monkeys have very negative connotations for Black people, I continue to look side eye at Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's choice of an ape for their icon, even though that icon is unofficial.

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UPDATE September 2, 2016:
A passage from Elizabeth C. Fine's book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows quotes a passage in Howard University's 1988 Bison yearbook mentions apes in reference to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
P.40
..."One of the few descriptions of a different type of step show-the probate show-appears in the 1988 Bison. In “Probation prior to Vacation: Karen Samuels provides colorful details about the performances of five pledge clubs, demonstrating the importance of movement, song, and symbolic costumes....
There are also photographs of the AKA pledge club, the Delta pledges performing their ritual duck walk; and the “Nubian Apes of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc.” who “let out whoops and snatched members of the audience into their arms as they prepare to cross the burning sands into Alpha land.” [Samuel, Bison, “Probation Prior to Vacation” 14-15
-snip-
In a comment on a 2000 Greekchat.com discussion about pledging*, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. writes "Yes I know the secret of the ape and what the colors mean.".
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=2770
-end of quote-
I've read in a 2009 Geocities anti-greek forum that in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity pledge process, "a.p.e" means "almost pledged* entirely". http://www.oocities.org/glos_havebeenexposed/sin_and_shame.html don’tgogreek.com
-end of quote-

That may or may not be true.

*"Pledging" may not be always be the same thing as hazing". But it should be noted that hazing has been prohibited by members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council since 1990. And that greekchat.com discussion talks about "underground pledging" (as a way of getting around that hazing prohibition- although that process may still be quite common, it's definitely not legal.)
-snip-
Added to my guesses (shared above) as to what "ape" might mean to members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I also posit that the word "ape" is spelled almost the same as "A Phi". And I wonder if Alphas promoted/promote the image of the huge, strong, burly ape as a means of counteracting the negative stereotypes of that fraternity's members being "less manly" than the brothers of certain other historically Black Greek lettered fraternities. Maybe that's just an ancillary benefit of that mascot/slogan or maybe that has nothing what so ever to do with "ape" and Alphamen, although the 1988 Howard University description of the Alphas whooping like apes and snatching women from the audience suggests that that action is modeled after the movie King Kong.

I understand that an organization's choice of its mascot/symbol is their members' choice alone. Still, even more so that what I wrote in 2013), I strongly question the efficacy and wisdom of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. choosing the ape as their mascot and I abhor that choice.

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