The Chicago Stepping Tradition Of Men Dancing With Men

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

Latest Update: July1, 2022

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

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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

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

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

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

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

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

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

2011

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

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

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

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

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2012

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

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

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

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

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2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THAT is STEPPIN!"

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2014

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

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

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

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22. cadillacstr8mk, 2016

"Fa Sho !!!!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reply
43. Big body Benz
"indeed"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2016

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

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

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2017

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

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

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

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

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

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Reply
59. clipsahoii, 2019
"Lmaooo"

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

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

This step is the bomb..".

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Reply
62. Darkness, 2021
"Word!"

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

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

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

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

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Reply
67. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Yes he is

He teaches a class in Detroit"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2020

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

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

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100. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Definitely still here"

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

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102. Lynn Daughrity
"They bopping! Oooweee ‼️"

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

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

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

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

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

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2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SONG -Sexy Can I

ARTIST -Ray J

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Edited by Azizi Powell

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

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

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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

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

sugarfoot4863, April 27, 2011

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

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

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

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

****
EXCERPT #2

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

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

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

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

(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only)

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

2011

1. desuora
"Great dancers, great dance."

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

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

**
4. SacredEarth17
"Effortless!"

**
5. DeWanda Evans
"Simply Beautiful"

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

****
2012

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

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

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

****
2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

****
2014

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

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

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

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

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

**
28. Shary Armstead
"Amazing trio!"

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

****
2015

****

2016

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

****
2017

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

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

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

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

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

****

2018

36. Therone Dawson
"Now this is smooth."

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

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

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

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

****
2019

****

2020

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

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

****
2021

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

****

2022

45. Bambi Loketo
"Smooth and chill"

****
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Visitor comments are welcome

A Partial Timeline For "Bop" As A Referent For Music (with information & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - December 10, 2023
 
This pancocojams post presents a time line for the English word "bop" as a referent for music.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
A PARTIAL TIMELINE FOR "BOP" AS A REFERENT FOR MUSIC
(Additions & corrections are welcome.)

1940s: Bebop (Bop)
From https://www.allmusic.com/style/bop-ma0000002457
"Also known as bebop, Bop was a radical new music that developed gradually in the early '40s and exploded in 1945. The main difference between bop and swing is that the soloists engaged in chordal (rather than melodic) improvisation, often discarding the melody altogether after the first chorus and using the chords as the basis for the solo. Ensembles tended to be unisons, most jazz groups were under seven pieces, and the soloist was free to get as adventurous as possible as long as the overall improvisation fit into the chord structure. Since the virtuoso musicians were getting away from using the melodies as the basis for their solos (leading some listeners to ask "Where's the melody?") and some of the tempos were very fast, bop divorced itself from popular music and a dancing audience, uplifting jazz to an art music but cutting deeply into its potential commercial success. Ironically the once-radical bebop style has become the foundation for all of the innovations that followed and now can be almost thought of as establishment music. Among its key innovators were altoist Charlie Parker, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Bud Powell, drummer Max Roach, and pianist/composer Thelonious Monk."

****
1940s 
From https://goodblacknews.org/2022/04/26/black-lexicon-the-origins-of-bop-listen/ "Black Lexicon: The Origins of “Bop” by Lori Lakin Hutcherson, April 22, 2022
" “Bop” is a slang term most currently used to mean a really good song, but originally used to reference the jazz genre “bebop,” “rebop” or “hard bop.”

Invented in the 1940s and 1950s by musicians like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Christian, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Mary Lou Williams and Thelonious Monk – right now you’re listening to the song called “Be-Bop” by Dizzy Gillespie, originally written, recorded and released by him in 1945.

The “bop” style of playing consisted of intricate phrasings and harmonic improvisations over chord melodies of standards as well as original compositions. Dizzy Gillespie even titled his 1979 autobiography To Be or Not to Bop."...

****
1940s
From https://www.etymonline.com/word/rebop
"bebop(noun)

1944, from bebop, rebop, bop, nonsense words in jazz lyrics, attested from at least 1928. The style is associated with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie."
-snip-
"Nonsense words in jazz lyrics" refer to "scatting"

bop (n.)

1948, shortening of bebop or rebop. The musical movement had its own lingo, which was in vogue in U.S. early 1950s. "Life" magazine [Sept. 29, 1952] listed examples of bop talk: crazy "new, wonderful, wildly exciting;" gone (adj.) "the tops—superlative of crazy;" cool (adj.) "tasty, pretty;" goof "to blow a wrong note or make a mistake;" hipster "modern version of hepcat;" dig "to understand, appreciate the subtleties of;" stoned "drunk, captivated, ecstatic, sent out of this world;" flip (v.) "to react"
 enthusiastically."
-snip-
The word "Rebop" was used first but was later replaced by the word "Bebop".

**
1940s: songs that have the word "bop" in their titles
From https://www.streetswing.com/music_archive/m1bop.htm 
The earliest songs listed by Swingstreet are "Wham Re-bop-boom-bam" -Four Modernaires (1940) and "Swing To Bop"- Charlie Christian (1941).

These are Jazz songs.

****
1945/1946: "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" Rhythm & Blues records
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey!_Ba-Ba-Re-Bop

 "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" is a 1946 song by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra. The song's lead vocals were performed by Lionel Hampton himself and the recording featured Herbie Fields on alto sax. The song went to number one on the R&B Juke Box chart for sixteen non-consecutive weeks and reached number nine on the national pop charts.[1]

Although the writing of "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" was credited to Hampton and his drummer Curley Hamner, it was essentially a partial rewriting of Helen Humes' 1945 R&B hit "Be-Baba-Leba", which in turn was closely related to "Ee-Bobaliba" by Jim Wynn."...

**
1950s: Hard Bop / 1960s: Post Bop [Jazz music references]
From https://us.napster.com/genre/jazz/bop
Built on a rhythmic foundation of walking bass and a steady cymbal, Bop features extended soloing over a series of chord changes. In the early 1940s, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie revolutionized jazz with their stripped-down aesthetic, fast tempos, and harmonic innovations. By the '50s, post-war atomic fear led the music into the anxious and tough sounds of Hard Bop. Outfits such as Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, who incorporated elements of Gospel and blues into slightly slower tempos. Post Bop groups, such as the Bill Evans Trio and mid-'60s Miles Davis Quintet, reshaped the basic elements of Bebop and Hard Bop."...
-snip-
Click that link for a list of top Bebop recordings.

****
2000?: The word "Bop" began to be used in the United States as a general referent for Pop (popular, non-religious) music. "Pop" used here refers to some R&B records and records in other genres that are popular with the United States general public.   

**
2000/2001: "Kidz Bop"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidz_Bop
" “Kidz Bop is a brand of compilation albums performing contemporary popular songs. The series was developed by Razor & Tie co-founders Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam[1] on September 10, 2001.[2] The albums are composed of popular songs that chart high on the Billboard Hot 100 and/or receive heavy airplay from contemporary hit radio stations several months ahead of each album's release. The songs are performed by the Kidz Bop Kids, often with lyrics deemed too explicit or suggestive for younger audiences altered to be more "kid-friendly".[3]"....

**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidz_Bop_(album)
"Kidz Bop (occasionally known as Kidz Bop 1) is the first album in the Kidz Bop series in which children sing popular songs of the time. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA. Nicholas Scala of New York was involved with the production of the album. The album contains 30 newly recorded songs from the late 1990s and 2000.

[...]

Released: October 9, 2001
Recorded: 2000
-snip-
The use of the word "bop" in this group name/brand name suggests the prior use of the word "bop" as a general referent for popular non-religious records.

**
around 2016 -The first use of "Issa bop (colloquial expression meaning "It's a really good (usually danceable) record,

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE WORD "BOP" USED FOR AS A REFERENT FOR RECORDS THAT SOMEONE CONSIDERS TO BE GOOD

From https://gagadaily.com/forums/topic/180447-its-a-bop-i-cant-take-it/ BOP: "It's a bop" I can't take it
Started March 17, 2016 by Bonkers in Gaga Thoughts

(Pancocojams Editor: This is the earliest online discussion that I've found for the latest contemporary music meaning of the word "bop". I've added numbers for these comments for referencing purposes only.)

1. Bonkers, Posted March 17, 2016
"I'm sorry to inform you that no one sounds good calling a good song "a bop". :gaycat: It sounds like something that would be vocal fried by one of the Kardashians. "

[...]

2. Dorothy Gale, Posted March 17, 2016
"I love bops. To me, bops are the kinds of songs you can play on loop, and are usually pop."

[...]

3. Bonkers, Posted March 17, 2016
"Maybe call it "great song" or "jam" maybe? But here's the deal, record yourself saying it, or ask one of your friends to say it."

[...]

4. CustomGiuseppe, Posted March 17, 2016
"A bop is a song that is not necissarily of good quality or deep substance but you'd bop and move your body to it if it was playing in a mall or a grocery store"

[...]

5. StrawberryBlond, Posted March 17, 2016
"I'm totally with you on that one! The word "bop" used to refer to an upbeat song you could dance too, usually pop. But now it seems to have become a gay slang term that simply means "a good song." And it's annoyingly inaccurate. Even ballads get called bops now. What part of a slow song could possibly make you associate it with the word "bop?" Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a bop. Hello is not. It's not hard to work out why."
-snip-
I added italics to highlight these sentences.

[...]

6. CyanLights
"This, its not the* awful of a word but its beyond over used and extremely incorrectly. Its annoying when i see reviews of albums on here and other sites and everyone claims that the songs are bops and i listen to the album, and there are no "bops" to be heard. Its not that heard** of a concept."
-snip-
*I think “the” in the first sentence of that comment is a typo for “that”.
**I think the second use of the word “heard” in the last sentence of that comment is a typo for “hard”.

****
June 19, 2016 - Earliest [?] urbandictionary.com entry for the latest contemporary music meaning of "bop"
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bop
"bopmusic
used to reference a good song; to say that a song is really good
Situation 1: SHINee's 'View' is such a bop
Situation 2: EXO's song 'Artificial Love' from their new album EX'ACT is a bop!
#music#shinee#exo#kpop#k-pop"
by exothekings June 19, 2016
-snip-
The wording "a bop" appears to be used a lot.

These words appear to me to be a shortened form of a positive opinion of a song (for instance: "That's a good bop" or some other complimentary adjective that is implied before the noun "bop".

****
August 13, 2017: another early entry for "bop" from urbandictionary.com
TOP DEFINITION
"issa bop
Slang for it's a really great song.
The kind that makes you want to dance or makes you really happy.
Can be used sarcastically.
You should listen to Strip that down by Liam Payne cause Issa bop.
(Ironically) Lol, just heard Friday by Rebecca Black, issa bop."

by Rubik' Cube August 13, 2017"
-snip-
"Issa" - African American Vernacular English originated word meaning "it's a".

****
December 14, 2017: another early entry for "bop" from urbandictionary.com
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=A%20bop
1. "A bop
A song that will always be good, legendary
"Yo man have you ever heard 'get low' by the ying yang twins?"
"Yeah man that will always be a bop"
by Maple syrup69 December 14, 2017"

****
Added March 2019 : Selected comments that include the word "bop" from Samm Henshaw - Church (Lyric Video) ft. EARTHGANG; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIN2JRSMuU

[Numbers added for referencing purposes only]
1. Bruhh Brahh
"Finally found my bop song for lazy Sunday morning ☀ ☁⛪"

**
2. allyssa figueroa
"this is such a bop AHHHHHHH ON REPEAT"

**
3. Jimhawking OutlawStar
"I needed this! Thanks for another bop."

**
4. Shep
"20 seconds in and it's already a bop"

**
5. Titus
"This was such a fun little bop! 🔥😂 I was jammin bro!"

**
6. Destiny Lourenco
"Keep making music! I need bops to look forward to, you just made my day:)"

**
7. spicy lamb sauce
"This is one AWESOME BOP!!! The vibes throughout the whole song are so good and wholesome. 😊🌻

**
8. Earl Muñoz
"soulful bop"
-snip-
This discussion thread also include a few comments that used the word "bop" as a verb (probably meaning "to dance"). For example:
Lennon Drake, March 2019
"Thank you for making music that is so much fun to bop to!! ❤️"

In addition, this discussion thread included comments that also refer to this song as a "banger", "track", or "jam". Here are three examples:
a) RK
"STARTING MY YEAR WITH THIS BANGER"

**
b) Mark Plunkett #JVLOGS
"This right here is a bangger i love it so much good morning wake up wake"

and
c) Fosa
"traaaacccckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!"
-snip-
I believe the words "banger" and "track" [written in an elongated form" are synonyms for "bop".  

For another viewpoint on this, click https://junkee.com/banger-bops-slaps-definition/177204 "A Very Serious Investigation Into The Difference Between ‘Bops’, ‘Bangers’, And What ‘Slaps’ by JARED RICHARDS 9 OCTOBER 2018.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Old School Boppin (Couples Dancing) - information, comments, & videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision -December 10, 2023

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on African American originated dances with the name "bop".

Part I provides information, comments, and seven video examples about the "Bop" (Steppin) in Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/05/hip-hop-bop-information-comments-videos.html for Part I of this series.

Part II provides information, comments, and five video examples of (Hip Hop) bop.

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 quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicago-stepping-information-videos.html
for a related pancocojams post on Chicago steppin'.

****
MOVEMENT WORDS USED FOR VARIOUS AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGINATED DANCES
BOP
"Bop" is an English language word that rhymes with "hop" and is a near rhyme of the word "trot". Like those other two words, "bop" describes a certain type of movement that has been used for African American originated social dances.

My guess is that in the context of dances "bop" may have been a folk processed form of the word "bob". http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bobbing gives these definitions for "bob":
"Bob:
1. a short, jerky motion

2. to move quickly down and up:
to bob the head.

4. to make a jerky motion with the head or body.

5. to move about with jerky, usually rising and falling motions".

"Bebop" music is sometimes called "Bop". The word "Bop" is a clip of the term "bebop". The Wikipedia page on "Bebop" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bebop indicates that
"Bebop or bop is a style of jazz characterized by a fast tempo, instrumental virtuosity and improvisation based on the combination of harmonic structure and sometimes references to the melody. It was developed in the early and mid-1940s. This style of jazz ultimately became synonymous with modern jazz, as either category reached a certain final maturity in the 1960s.

It [Bebop] developed as the younger generation of jazz musicians aimed to counter the popular swing style with a new, non-danceable music that demanded listening.[1] As bebop was no longer a dance music, it enabled the musicians to play at faster tempos".
-snip-
It's ironic that "bebop", a style of non-danceable Jazz music, was shortened to the word "bop" which became a general referent for non-religious danceable music, a general term for social dancing ("boppin"), and specific types of social dancing (i.e. "the Chicago Bop", "the Philly Bop").

****
WALK
"Walk" was the earliest movement word that was used in for dance names -the Cakewalk" (late 19th century), the "Camel Walk" (1910), and the "Jig Walk" (1925) are early examples of the word "walk" used in African American social dance names. "The Gangsta Walk" and "the Crip Walk" are names of rather recent Hip Hop dances that include the word "walk".

****
HOP
The "Lindy Hop" is an African American social dances that includes the word "hop". "The Bunny Hop" is another dance that includes the word "hop" although I don't believe that dance originated with African Americans. Among the African American originated social dances that include the words "trot" are the "Turkey Trot" and the "Fox Trot".
-snip-
Those definitions fit the descriptions of some of the movements of the "old school" (steppin') and "new school" (Hip Hop) Bop dances.

****
OTHER ENGLISH WORDS THAT INCLUDE THE WORD "BOP"

 DIDDYBOP
The African American vernacular word "diddybop" ("diddy bop"; "diddyboppin'") may have been coined as a referent to the "bop" dance.

I recall the slang word "diddyboppin" from my teenage years in the 1960s (New Jersey) but it may be older than that. "Diddyboppin" refers to a way that males (African American males in particular) walked/walk with a cocky swagger. A man who "diddybopped" down the street walked with what appears to be a slight limp. iN THE 2020s "diddyboppin" would probably be called "pimp walking".

The term "diddyboppin" has been used to refer to the Hip Hop dance that also known as "Gangsta Walk". "Diddy Bop" has also been used as a name for a form of the Hip Hop Bop dances which are the focus of Part II of this pancocojams series.

The word "diddy" in "diddybop" is probably a folk processed form of the word "diddle". Two of the definitions for "diddle on http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diddle are "(2) to waste time; dawdle (often followed by around): You would be finished by now if you hadn't spent the morning diddling around. and "(4) Informal. to move back and forth with short rapid motions; jiggle".
-snip-
That last definition is the almost the same as the definition for "bop" that is given above, but I think that the first definition fits "diddybop" the best. A person (usually male) who is diddyboppin down the street is taking his time, moving in a cool, swaggering manner.

**
TEENYBOPPER
I think that it's unlikely that the largely outdated term "teeny bopper" had any influence on the dance terms "bop" and "boppin'" that was/is used by African Americans. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenybopper, the term "teenybopper" is "a young teenage girl who follows adolescent trends in music, fashion and culture. The term may have been coined by marketing professionals and psychologists, later becoming a subculture of its own.[1][2] The term was introduced in the 1950s[3] to refer to teenagers who mainly listened to pop music and/or rock and roll and not much else. Teenybopper became widely used again in the late 1960s and early 1970s, following an increase in the marketing of pop music, teen idols and fashions aimed specifically at younger girls, generally 10–17 years old.[4][2]" [end of quote].

****
BOP AND HOP AS REFERENCES TO FRATERNITY AND SORORITY STEPPING
Two quotes from Elizabeth C. Fine's 2003 book SoulStepping: African American Step Shows (University of Illinois Press) indicate that the words "hop" and "bop" were used as a referent for one style of fraternity steppin':
"The words demonstrate and demonstration to describe stepping began to appear in campus periodicals in the 1960s....A 1969 Bison caption proclaimed “Brothers demonstrate “Omega Bop” for spectators on Fridays.” [p. 27]
“Stepping in Omega Psi Phi fraternity may have been influenced by the lindy hop. According to Stephon D. Henderson (interview 25 May 1995), stepping began “at the Rho Chi chapter at Tennessee State –anywhere between 1941 and 1956” and was called “hopping” here. Brothers at Tennesee State and in that middle Tennessee area still refer to it as hopping, because it was first referred to as hopping.” A photograph captioned the “Omega Bop” in the 1969 Bison (221) shows Omega brothers standing on their right legs and kicking to the side in a movement reminiscent of the kicks done in the lindy hop"... [p. 162]
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-did-historically-black-greek.html for more information about the history of historically Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority steppin.

****
WHAT DOES "OLD SCHOOL" MEAN?
I've labeled the partner bop dancing "old school" to differentiate it from Hip Hop boppin ("new school boppin")

"Old school" is a usually positive, nostalgic descriptor that means "something from the past". As the showcase videos below demonstrate, couples still do what I refer to as "old school boppin'", sometimes referring to those dances as "boppin" and sometimes calling those dances "steppin'".

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHICAGO STEPPIN ("BOPPIN")
From http://thesteadysteppers.com/index.php/about-us/faqs
"What is Stepping?
Stepping is an urban, partnered dance art form that is indigenous to Chicago, Illinois. Steppin’ should not be confused with fraternity and sorority Greek stepping which is very popular on college and university campuses throughout the country.

What are some of the teaching methods of stepping?
For instructional purposes, counting methods (generally 6-count or 8-count) are used to teach synchronized movements during which times partners clasp hands and face each other. Steppin’ is done to smooth sounds of Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, or Rap music."...
-snip-
From http://www.rockcityuniquesteppers.com/id13.html
"A Brief History of Steppin'
Steppin' originated in the 1930's as the Jitterbug. By the 1960's it was known as the Bop, which evolved into a unique style of its own called Steppin' – in the city of Chicago. Steppin' developed a phenomenal era of its own; it is not just a dance but the addictive aura of music, smooth moves, stylish dress (reminiscent of the 1920s) and the mood of a by-gone era. Steppin’ is truly a hypnotic work of art and captivates people of all ages and ethnic groups. As the saying goes: “Steppin' is a way of life.”

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

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

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FEATURED VIDEOS
Except for Example #1, these videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.

Example #1: Chicago Steppin History DVD - Promo



Gentleman 'G, Uploaded on Feb 11, 2011

The FULL 35min DVD version is now available at the price of $19.95. Ask me for the PayPal link here: garry@celebritysteppers.com

Steppers will appreciate how this 35min documentary short-film has filled-in the chronological gaps between the very first couples dance styles that were more boisterous and more acrobatic in nature as exampled by the Charleston, Lindy Hop and Jitterbug.

Through rare black & white film footage we will directly connect how all of the above mentioned dance trends, and social ingredients eventually produced a cooler, more sensually styled dance genre entitled: Chicago Style Steppin.

The footage will show for example how the soulful music rhythms of the 'Motown Sound" during the Vietnam War, as well as the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s had profound influences on American music in general and, thus, changed how people danced. Ask me for the PayPal link here! garry@celebritysteppers.com

Music
"Feels Like Heaven" by Kenny Vaughan & "The Art Of Love" )

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Example #2: Bop Demonstration



dzarazua, Uploaded on Jan 26, 2008

Kevin "Flash" Collins, Kellee Star, and April Hayes of Detroit at Vanessa's Positive Energy Entertainment Center in Los Angeles on January 19, 2008.
-snip-
Selected comments:
Sandy Thompson, 2008
"I'm no expert,but that looks exactly like chicago steppin. They look fantastic!!"

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carlabody, 2010
"Love it! But the footwork looks like Stepping, Not Bop. Am I wrong?"

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mostick313, 2010
"well, yes you are wrong, respectfully. you are looking at these wonderful people throwing down on some serious and fierce detroit bopping. detroiters have been detroit bopping and detroit ballrooming and detroit chopping for a long long time. the chi-town steppin does have some simularities to the detroit bop, but when you look closer, they are indeed different. the detroit bop has some elements of steppin and ballroom moves. and these 3 detroit boppers, i swear, were outstanding! unique!"

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tlgilmor, 2013
"This is the bop its a kick kick 123456 the step is a8 count and they look similar but the bop is smoother"

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Example #3: Sunshine and TykMyn Showing Out at Adrianna's



StepperDJ, Uploaded on Dec 29, 2009

Sunshine and TykMyn stepping at the Adrianna's Entertainment Complex in Markham, IL. For those of you learning how to step, you will note that as Tyk takes Sunshine through his innovative moves she submits to his lead and they return to the bounds of the basics of the dance at every point it is necessary while keeping it smooth and sexy.

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Example #4: Chicago Original Freestyle Steppin R Mack White Party Detroit 2010.avi



Dj Stretch Alex, Uploaded on Feb 2, 2011
-snip-
Selected comments:
[Editor's note: A number of people commented about the fact that two men were dancing together. While it's somewhat common in the United States for two females to "fast dance" as a couple, it's much less common likely for two males to dance together- without there being any implications of homosexuality. Unfortunately, many of these comments reveal how deeply rooted antagonism toward people who are homosexual is in the United States.]

Mistepper1, 2011
"This old-school gangsta steppin right here! lol You TRULY would have had to grow up in Chicago to understand! Back in the 70's, the men did all the STEPPIN, while the ladies stood back and watched! REAL TALK!"

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cjoy4d, 2012
"my big brother was one of those steppers back in the 70's......he did this 'show off' thing with his guy friends....it was like a mating call for the ladies who were there at the party......he was and still is a ladies man...he had ALLLL THE GIRLS....he is all man...all the time.....and I'm from chicago.....we roll like that"

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hazeleyesChicago , 2012
"Men have been Boppin' and/or Steppin' together at least since the 50's. I remember watching the gang members back in the day, in the 60's outside the corner record store boppin' on 61st Street, the south side where I grew up. My mother still talks about how those "cats" could jammm! I took Steppers workshops in the 90's and the men practiced with each other. Cool as hell, stepper smoooth...."

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hazeleyesChicago, 2012
"...You had to have been there, back in the day and even now to understand the Steppers culture in Chicago. Steppin' is a way of life here. Steppin' is such a hot style of dance when done well. The men in the video are "Free Styling", which allows for so many types of moves, as well as dancing with opposite and/or same sex partners. The men in the video are doing some very stylish and hard core moves. Don't focus on their gender, focus on their moves. Those some bad ass moves."

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803DONYELLE, 2013
"It's about showing your skills!!!! It has nothing to do with your sexuallity.......really!!! If you dance you would understand."

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RemyDeLeMonde, 2013
"The people calling this gay obviously are NOT from Chicago, nor do they have people from Chicago. Steppin is a dance that everyone has fun doing, and men are seen dancing the step together in the R. Kelly "Happy People" music video."

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flatbush46, 2012
"... i remember michael baisden was talking about how dudes were doing this back in the day..i think he called it hard bop?? these dude are tearing it up..im glad someone nejuienejuie posted this..i remember it was up last year but i was taken down.."
-snip-
"tearing it up" = dancing really good

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shantea Jones, 2014
"To those confused on the guys dancing together, this is not uncommon in STL nor Chicago. The guys show off their moves, the women watch but eventually the men end up with women. I don't see it as gay at all. I love it and miss seeing my uncle move like this. As a kid well over 40 years ago, I too was on the side lines watching my uncle. This is not new."
-snip-
STL = St. Louis, Missouri.

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ricardo catlett, 2015
Did u say where the women lol'' ? Baby this is Chicago style stepping and most women could'nt keep up1 Or felt the need to get down on this song like men do!!

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LaSweetable, 2015
"Steppin' which is from Chicago has always showcased male and male steppin. Men step the best...they get to really showcase their talents. My cousins step together...it's acceptable in Chicago culture and has nothing to do with sexuality."

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ricardo catlett, 2015
"See with women you rarely find the ones who STEP' and women in Chicago are so sophiticated'' and sometimes hard to approach on the Stepping tip unless you know em' But men hear a song and just start stepping and the beat a be so smooth that a man can't resist the oppertunity too Step and show his skillz even if it means STEPPING with another guy that's all it is Is fun!''"

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bacoia, 2015
"When I was in grammar school(many years ago) I would sneak into the high school parties near my home to watch the guys step together, it was something to see.....They had mad skills...."
-snip-
"They had mad skills = they were very skillful

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cadillacstr8mk, 2015
"I grew up in Chicago and I remember back in the day "the early 70's" the only people that really were Steppin were Straight up Gangsters Disciples ,and Vice Lords, Hardcore Pimps and Macks . What drew me to Steppin was the fact that these dudes were super cool with permed out hair ,Ocean waves ,Finger waves and Custom made Clothes, or we called them "Mades" and Stacy Adams shoes . That being said , Times are different now so I can see why people think it's "suspect" ! Back then nobody even thought anything funny because those dudes were know for criminal lifestyles !"

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coilykinks, 2015
"It's just weird to watch if you have never seen it before."

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discolady2, 2015
"+coilykinks Back n the day when all my cousins &friends used to go to Markham IL to the skating rink all our friends most of all the guys stepped together .its alright sister .peace ."

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daressia, 2015
"thank you for clarifiyng becaue i could not understand why i keep seeing men step together.."

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discolady2, 2015
"+daressia Just about all my friends are in their 50's now I was in grade school most of my friends were already in high school .its all fun ."

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Example #5: Karen & Marion - Bopping - Milwaukee's Old School style



KeilahHai's channel, Uploaded on Feb 11, 2012

Recorded on January 7, 2012 using a Flip Video camcorder.

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Example #6: Boppin to Steppin History Notes



webmasterdan Published on Oct 20, 2013

Most people talk about the dance, the 6 count, the 8 count, the contest, heavy hitters and legends, but very few cover the history of the dance and the origins from whence it came. This is a brief clip from an in depth interview captured by Jakki Dace and me a few years back while talking to Steppin D.J. notable and Promoter Luther Cage covering the transition of Boppin to steppin, There are others who speak on it as well. We didn't just make a documentary. We Set the bar. Peace!
-snip-
Selected comments from that video:
“Around 1970-1971 it was called “bop””.

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The term “boppin” became “steppin”. Instead of going out to “bop”, we’re going to a steppin [I'm unable to decipher this word].”

Another clip from that video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3C-3zicpZc "Historic Places known for boppin and Steppin in Chicago". Here's the summary to that video that was published on October 27, 2013 by webmasterdan:

"Here are some of the places where Chicago Style Steppin and the earlier term Boppin or the Bop was most frequent throughout the city of Chicago. These are the places that one must research in order to understand the origin of the night life of Boppin and Steppin prior to it's transformation from church socials, youth centers, sock hops, house parties, waist line parties and rent parties to the night club and contest setting that many people currently experience."
-end of quote-
One commenter in that documentary said "Monday through Sunday we had at least fifty places [clubs] we could go [to]”.
-snip-
Notice that although in Chicago the word "bop" was dropped for the word "steppin'", it appears that in Detroit and Milwaukee the word "bop" is still used to refer to these couple dances.

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Example #7: The Detroit Bop! "Detroit Girl"! Part 2!



Mostick Baby. Published on Nov 18, 2013

Mr Ballroom Jack and the Sensational Miss CC are tearin' up the flo' with that Detroit Bop!

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