Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases the YouTube video entitled "Hip Hop Old School Dictionary".
That video shows Buddha Stretch and Henry Link from Elite Force Crew demonstrating how to do seven old school Hip Hop dances from the 1980s: the Smurf, The Prep, the Reebok, The Wop, The Cabbage Patch, The Happy Feet, and the Fila.
A few selected comments from these YouTube videos are also included in this post.
Thanks to the unknown creators of these old school dances, and thanks to Buddha Stretch and Henry Link for demonstrating these dances. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to COSMOSUKR, the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-instructional-videos-of-four.html "YouTube Instructional Videos Of Four Old School Hip Hop Dances: The Running Man, The Roger Rabbit, The Reebok, & The Cabbage Patchto see the differences between how these men do "the Reebok" and "the Cabbage Patch" and how the dancers from Howcast do those dances.
Click the tags below for more pancocojams posts on old school Hip Hop dances.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
After reading the comments in this video's discussion thread and similar comments in the pancocojams post entitled "YouTube Instructional Videos Of Four Old School Hip Hop Dances: The Running Man, The Roger Rabbit, The Reebok, & The Cabbage Patch" whose link is given above it occurs to me that while there are basic steps for specific old school Hip Hop dances, those steps may differ (within the same period of time, the same racial population [which created that dance] within the same nation) depending on where a person lives. Also or the same basic steps (movements) for a specific Hip Hop dance may have a different name or names (within the same period of time, the same racial population [which created that dance] within the same nation) depending on where a person lives.
Further complicating this is that it's possible that a specific old school (and new school?) Hip Hop dance may have a different name even within the same geographical location (city/state) in same period of time, and the same racial population within the same nation.
Also, a specific old school dance may be renamed by people in other decades before or after it becomes popular at a certain time. And a contemporary dance may be given the name of an older dance even though it doesn't have all or any of the basic steps of that older dance.
However, it seems to me that correct name of dance isn't as important as the skill, creativity, and flair that dancers demonstrate while performing that dance.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Hip Hop Old School Dictionary
COSMOSUKR, Dec 26, 2010
-snip-
Check out YouTube for more Hip Hop Dictionary dance videos.
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. anewbginN, 2012
"props...ya'll hittin' all the OS Dances"
**
2. Dreamtime, 2012
"this is a VERY dope vid.
needs more views *shared*"
**
3. IIISugarShortsIII, 2013
"that's a dope ass beat, bro."
**
4. Maria S, 2013
"Haha. I used to do all of those except the Smurf. And I thought the Fila and Reebok were switched. I might be mistaken though."
**
REPLY
5. yohann dubuisson, 2014
"LOL the smurf is the most important basic step.."
**
REPLY
6. sergio orduña colina, 2014
"Fila is rambo..and Reebok is gucci..i think"
**
7. 37janie, 2013
"You remember ....??
Well....Junior Boogie said,that Link told him that the reebok isnt the reebok, but its the gucci.... then Link taught it at his workshops.... and I even asked him myself,just to be sure, and he made it clear. But you know....if you think you know better......"
**
8. 37janie, 2013
"Everybody tells us smthing different...so confusing. Last week at the Street Dance Kemp in CZ Henry Link taught that the Reebok is actually the Gucci. Just sayin for those who want to learn.
Yo and the 'Mike Tyson' move(which is not in this video but I dont mind mentioning it) is just a variation of a running man.
Peace yall #Always a student"
-snip-
"Street Dance Kemp in CZ= Street Dance Camp in The Czech Republic,
Click https://www.sdkeurope.com/en/ for information about that camp.
**
9. Ksenia Chaynikova, 2013
"I remember that at the SDK Link said that reebok is not Gucci, maybe I'm not right, but these steps (for me) look different. And the story of their creation isn't the same.=)"
**
10. BD, 2013
hahah awesome ! some real swag up in here !"
**
11. rifdaddy7676, 2013
"Fella's Say HOOOO! Ladies Say OUWWWW!! Nice Post Homiez. Ya'll kilt' it!"
**
12. Jessica Sun, 2015
"smurf 0:11 | 3:58
prep 0:44 | 4:16
reebok 1:21 | 4:56
wop 1:51 | 4:29
cabbage patch 2:29 | 4:43
happy feet 3:01 | 5:23
fila 3:31 | 5:08
**
13. julanie moreno, 2015
"he did the happy feet wrong,the happy feet was what the ronald mcdonald clown did back n the 80 movin your feet side by side but dope."
**
REPLY
14. EssentiallyFunky, 2015
"You do know those guys are the creators of hiphop dance?"
**
15. 818ValleyRiderz, 2016
"Thanks For Old School Dance Moves Guys"
**
16. Jolly Bot, 2016
"Pure culture. Killin' it with the Reebok and The Prep is mind blowing to see in it's original pre Janet Jackson cheerleader routine form. Thank you."
**
17. higher self Alonso, 2015
"so drill these until you can build off the steps and add your own original style to them right ?"
**
18. REPLY
Dobrob, 2018
"yes, yes you can. This is just the foundation"
**
19. enmaxus, 2015
"In the south we did the smurf, reebok and the cabbage patch differently. The way you did the cabbage patch is what we called the reebok."
**
20. nigel Zulu, 2016
"really needed these grooves for my freestyle..thanks for posting"
**
21. michaelusam1, 2016
"+COSMOSUKR Hey... I was just wondering... Can somebody please tell me the name of these two dancers???"
**
REPLY
22. Koh Yamada, 2016
"michaelusam1 What!? You don't know these guys? These guys are pioneers of Hip Hop dance!
Buddha Stretch and Henry Link from Elite Force Crew :)"
**
24. Lawrence Worrell, 2017
"Yeah, you get the moves down, then make up your own variations using the "theme" of the move. Wicked vids though. These are basic moves for the style. Add your own flavour though. Say for example reboking with one foot. Any ways these guys are the real deal, pay attention."
**
25. Anthony Wooten, 2017
"Now we know how the dab got its influence from the fila...."
**
REPLY
26. GrowingDownUnder, 2019
"I think the dab came from soulja boy crank dat, after that was a lot of moves which came from songs like whip, nae nae, dougie, hit da quan, stanky leg, etc"
**
27. Jordan Alexander, 2019
"He later said that Reebok was not called and that it's called the Gucci"
**
REPLY
28. Jordan Alexander, 2020
"And that cabbage patch is called Reebok"
**
29. spicy1ize, 2020
"That's Not the Cabbage Patch"
**
30. Michael Johns, 2020
"That wasn't how we Smurfed? Totally different? I learned in Jersey!"
**
31. medaswho, 2020
"These are the dances nino brown did during the club scene on new Jack city"
**
32. Disco 6000, 2020
"That's not the cabbage patch and definitely not the FILA . Still brought back good memories."
**
33. jv Nas, 2020
"Bring back memories! Ya know it old school even has the nyc empire state building in the back ground! 😎"
**
34. Rob 380, 2020
"Shout out to the dancers and shout out to the old school these guys kept it real👍🏽"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label old school dances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old school dances. Show all posts
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
YouTube Instructional Videos Of Four Old School Hip Hop Dances: The Running Man, The Roger Rabbit, The Reebok, & The Cabbage Patch
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision: April 20, 2022
This pancocojams post provides information about four old school Hip Hop dances from the mid to late 1980s: the Running Man, the Roger Rabbit, the Reebok, and the Cabbage Patch.
This post also showcases YouTube instructional videos of these dances. All of these videos include captions.
A few selected comments from these YouTube videos are also included in this post.
Thanks to the unknown creators of these dances, and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to Howcast, the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/old-school-hip-hop-dance-video.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Old School Hip Hop Dance Video (Demonstrating the Smurf, The Prep, the Reebok, The Wop, The Cabbage Patch, The Happy Feet, and the Fila Dances)"
Click the tags below for more pancocojams posts on old school Hip Hop dances.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
After reading the comments in this video's discussion thread and similar comments in the pancocojams post entitled "Old School Hip Hop Dance Video (Demonstrating the Smurf, The Prep, the Reebok, The Wop, The Cabbage Patch, The Happy Feet, and the Fila Dances)" whose link is given above it occurs to me that while there are basic steps for specific old school Hip Hop dances, those steps may differ within the same period of time, and/or within the same racial population [which created that dance], and/or within the same nation depending on where a person lives. Also or the same basic steps (movements) for a specific Hip Hop dance may have a different name/s within the same period of time, within the same racial population which created that dance...
Further complicating this is that it's possible that a specific old school (and new school) Hip Hop dance may have a different name even within the same geographical location (city/state) in the same period of time, and in the same racial population which created that dance within the same nation.
Also, a specific old school dance may be renamed by people in other decades before or after it becomes popular at a certain time. A contemporary dance may be given the name of an older dance even though it doesn't have all or any of the basic steps of that older dance.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE DANCES
1. the Running Man
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_man_(dance)*
"The Running Man (aka The Hungry Caterpillar), originally an African dance, is a street and fad dance that originated between late 1986–early 1987 and was performed notably by Janet Jackson in the video of her hit "Rhythm Nation" and subsequently on the Rhythm Nation World Tour and various live performances. An early performance of the dance was in a Fela Kuti concert called "Cross Examination" by one of his back-up dancers/ex-wife in Berlin in 1978.[1] Additionally, it was performed by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown, Milli Vanilli, and Vanilla Ice during their live concert shows and music videos, but achieved renewed popularity in the 2000s. It is also used in some forms of the Melbourne Shuffle dance style. It consists of a hopping or sliding step done in such a way at speed to simulate a runner."
-snip-
The Wikipedia page for the Running Man dance that I accessed on April 19, 2022 is different from the one that I quoted above. Here's a portion of that entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_man_(dance)
"The Running Man is a street and fad dance popularized by Bobby Brown. It consists of a hopping or sliding step done in such a way at speed to simulate a runner. Notable practictionaers of the dance are MC Hammer, Janet Jackson, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Milli Vanilli, and Vanilla Ice during their live concert shows and music videos. It achieved somewhat of a memed revival during in the 2000s, where it is performed in some manner of the Melbourne shuffle dance style. A variation of the dance can be seen in a Fela Kuti concert called "Cross Examination" by one of his back-up dancers/ex-wife in Berlin in 1978.[1]…
snip-
Notice that there's no mention of the African origin of that dnce and not mention of it being performed by a dancer in (Nigerian afrobeat founder) Fela Kuti's group.
2. the Roger Rabbit
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Rabbit#Legacy
Roger Rabbit is a fictional animated anthropomorphic rabbit character. The character first appeared in author Gary K. Wolf's 1981 novel, Who Censored Roger Rabbit?
[...]
The book and character were later reenvisioned in Disney's hit 1988 live-action/animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In the film version, Roger is a cartoon character in Hollywood during the Golden age of American animation. The various toons live in a Los Angeles enclave known as "Toontown", and act out animated shorts in the same way human actors act out feature films. Roger is framed for the murder of a famous Hollywood film producer and owner of Toontown, and he seeks out Valiant to help clear his name...
[...]
The Roger Rabbit became a popular dance move in America in the early 1990s.[10][11] It was named after the floppy movements of the Roger Rabbit cartoon character. In movement, the Roger Rabbit dance is similar to the Running Man, but done by skipping backwards with arms performing a flapping gesture as if hooking one's thumbs on suspenders.[12]"...
****
3. the Reebok Dance
Note: There's no Wikipedia page on this dance.
The transcript for the Howcast video (embedded below) indicates that the Reebok dance 1985 is named after the Reebok brand of tennis shoes "when Reeboks first came out. Again, another dance named after whatever was popular at that time. Reeboks took over in 1985, I imagine. So this dance is called the Reebok." [read the transcript under the Reebok dance video below.
Here's an excerpt that includes that 1985 time frame "when Reebok took over":
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reebok
..."1980s–1990s
In 1982, Reebok debuted the Reebok Freestyle aerobics shoe, the first athletic shoe designed for women.[5][18] Fitness professional Gin Miller became the face of "Step Reebok," the company's aerobics fitness campaign and program.[16] The following year, Reebok's sales were $13 million.[19]
The company began expanding from tennis and aerobics shoes to running and basketball throughout the mid to late 1980s, the largest segments of the athletic footwear industry at the time.[20] Fireman bought the British-based parent company in 1984. In 1985, Reebok had its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RBK.[15][20]
In 1986, Reebok switched its logo from the Union Jack flag it had since its founding, to the Vector logo - an abstract Union Jack streak across a race track - which mirrored the design of the side flashes of its shoes[21][22] The switch signaled the transition of the company into a performance brand as it began licensing deals with professional athletes in the NBA and NFL.[23]"...
****
4. the Cabbage Patch
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage_Patch_(dance)
"The Cabbage Patch is a dance involving putting both hands together in fists and moving them in a horizontal, circular motion.[1][2]
Several songs about the dance have been released:
Rare Item & the Bud Buddies - "The Cabbage Patch Dance" (1983)
Delmar Donnell - "In the Cabbage Patch" (1984)
Experience Unlimited - "Doing the Cabbage Patch" (1986)
XII - "Cabbage Patch" (1986)
R.P. Cola - "The Cabbage Patch Dance" (1987)
Gucci Crew II - "The Cabbage Patch" (1987)[3]
World Class Wreckin' Cru - "Cabbage Patch" (1987)[4]
The dance became very popular, showing up in many dance clubs in America. The dance's name is derived from the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls or the use of "cabbage" as slang for paper money. There are many online videos demonstrating how to do the dance.[5][6] The dance was originally celebratory and often associated with being super cool and rad.[7]"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS:
Video #1: How to Do the Running Man | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 10, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Julian Nailuj, 2016
"Ladies and gents, this is THE ORIGINAL RUNNING MAN, not that toe-tapping bs on social media."
**
2. calionetime, 2016
"Now that's the real running man. Forget the running man challenge! Kids"
**
3. L O, 2016
"This is the real running man, the one we did & still do when we're feeling nostalgic lol The running man challenge is more of a shuffle but glad the kids got scholarships from it :)"
**
4. Jesse Aguilar, 2016
"original running man dance step did by MC Hammer"
**
5. MITHO, 2015
"That's not exactly how we did this TWENTYFIVE YEARS AGO! ;)"
**
REPLY
6. McFlySwatter, 2015
"+MITHO I agree.. I was watching it going umm noooo I don't think we did it like that lol"
**
REPLY
7. shannabanana310, 2016
"Dang, was it 25 years ago? I'm just wondering why all of the old 90s dance names are being recycled with something totally different. I'm glad to see this video though. 👏"
**
REPLY
8. SanbaiSan, 2017
"Well, feel free to post your "old-man" version then! :P"
****
How to Do the Roger Rabbit | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 11, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. JurassicClark96, 2014
"Ohhhhh this is the Bobby Brown move from Every Little Step!
Been looking for this forever! Thanks Howcast!"
**
2. tracy smith, 2015
"Like Rosie Perez at the start of "Do the Right Thing."
**
3. Denise DeniseHuxtable, 2017
"he put some "stank" on it at the end I see you"
-snip-
"Stank" is an African American form of the word stink (to smell badly). "Stank" means to "really stink."
"Put some stank on it" means to add your own variations, style, or flair to what you are doing, and in so doing make it better. An relatively oldish African American saying from around the 1970s or so is that a person "added their own flavor to the mix". In the case of dancing, this may mean that you are dancing harder (more energetically) and/or dancing more sensuously. When people are very energetic in their dancing they tend to sweat. When a lot of people in a room dance energetically, they and that room starts to stink (smell funky). "Stank" here is a positive that means the same thing as "funk" (or "funky"). That's why people who sing or dance funky, and music that is funky" are usually considered positives in African American culture.
**
REPLY
4. 0e0, 2019
"it's a pretty corny dance nowadays without that....i think she's contractually obligated to give it a bit more credibility
my corny is too strong...wholesome"
**
5. Hellofacutie, 2020
"This is the dance move that Oaktown 357 did with MC hammer!"
****
Video #2: How to Do the Reebok | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 21, 2012
-snip-
Here's the transcript of this video: https://www.howcast.com/videos/505204-how-to-do-the-reebok-hip-hop-dancing
I'm back with my friends. My friends, my friends. I'm back. We are going to show you a dance called the Reebok.
1985, when Reeboks first came out. Again, another dance named after whatever was popular at that time. Reeboks took over in 1985, I imagine. So this dance is called the Reebok.
We're going to start with the feet first. Right leg, your left, my right. Picking up the right leg, we're going to go in, step down. One, pick it up again, and two, and you're going to do three steps. Right, left, right. Let's try it on this side, and down. Back, down, and left, right, left. Good. So you can already tell your body's rocking a little bit. Just keep that motion.
Let's try it again. Six, seven, eight, and one, two, three, and four, and five, six, seven, and eight.
Now let's add arms. Arms are whatever you want. Some people punch opposite arm and leg, and bring it around. Some people use both arms the whole time. Pick whichever one you like, and do that. You're free to do so. So we have five, slowly with the arms, seven, eight. You want to go away. One, two, three, and four, and five, six, seven, again. And one, two, three, and four, and five, six, and seven, and eight.
Let's try it with music."
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Gemini Blaze, 2012
"Was always wondering what the name was when Will Smith was doing it back in Fresh Prince days..."
**
2. Ariana Villegas, 2013
"This step doesn't call Reebok, this step is Cabbage patch!!"
**
3. danielle amara, 2013
"yes you need to look deeply in oldskool dictionary reebok is more rambo dance more gang and this is the cabbage patch plz"
**
4. Sean Asher, 2014
"nooooooo, this is not the reebok!! old skoolers are laughing hard at this video
sorry, but you guys are doing the cabbage patch."
**
REPLY
5. Chocolate _ Deluxe, 2017
"Sean Asher - This is the REEBOK!"
**
REPLY
6. Urban Beatz, 2017
"+Phony Braxton no its not"
**
7. GLjunior, 2015
"that's the Reebok, the cabbage patch you stand still and move your hands in a stirring motion"
**
8. James Kent, 2017
"so I'm guessing this was the cabbage patch and then changed to the Reebok"
****
Video #3: How to Do the Cabbage Patch | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 24, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Kenpachi, 2012
"this isn't the cabbage patch i know..."
**
2. Shakaama, 2012
"i've watched 4 videos already, and this is the closest they get to actually doing the cabbage patch. it's not a 4 count. it's a 2 & 3 count."
**
3. meiyin09, 2015
"This is the West Coast Cabbage Patch."
**
REPLY
4. Azizi Powell, 2020
"Kenpachi, I showed this video to my daughter and she said this is how she remembers doing the Cabbage Patch (in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1980s.)
(We're African American, btw.)"
**
5. Mandeep Dhaliwal, 2019
"this isn’t even the real cabbage patch smh..."
**
6. Prodigal Son, 2019
"Lol. I love this. I love the way he moves and his expressions. And how he lowkey chased her at the end. I’m over here laughing like a little kid. That was funny"
**
7. onecutesweetypie, 2019
"These two are great!!! Awesome tutorial and fun video!! Love it!!"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Latest revision: April 20, 2022
This pancocojams post provides information about four old school Hip Hop dances from the mid to late 1980s: the Running Man, the Roger Rabbit, the Reebok, and the Cabbage Patch.
This post also showcases YouTube instructional videos of these dances. All of these videos include captions.
A few selected comments from these YouTube videos are also included in this post.
Thanks to the unknown creators of these dances, and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to Howcast, the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/old-school-hip-hop-dance-video.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Old School Hip Hop Dance Video (Demonstrating the Smurf, The Prep, the Reebok, The Wop, The Cabbage Patch, The Happy Feet, and the Fila Dances)"
Click the tags below for more pancocojams posts on old school Hip Hop dances.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
After reading the comments in this video's discussion thread and similar comments in the pancocojams post entitled "Old School Hip Hop Dance Video (Demonstrating the Smurf, The Prep, the Reebok, The Wop, The Cabbage Patch, The Happy Feet, and the Fila Dances)" whose link is given above it occurs to me that while there are basic steps for specific old school Hip Hop dances, those steps may differ within the same period of time, and/or within the same racial population [which created that dance], and/or within the same nation depending on where a person lives. Also or the same basic steps (movements) for a specific Hip Hop dance may have a different name/s within the same period of time, within the same racial population which created that dance...
Further complicating this is that it's possible that a specific old school (and new school) Hip Hop dance may have a different name even within the same geographical location (city/state) in the same period of time, and in the same racial population which created that dance within the same nation.
Also, a specific old school dance may be renamed by people in other decades before or after it becomes popular at a certain time. A contemporary dance may be given the name of an older dance even though it doesn't have all or any of the basic steps of that older dance.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE DANCES
1. the Running Man
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_man_(dance)*
"The Running Man (aka The Hungry Caterpillar), originally an African dance, is a street and fad dance that originated between late 1986–early 1987 and was performed notably by Janet Jackson in the video of her hit "Rhythm Nation" and subsequently on the Rhythm Nation World Tour and various live performances. An early performance of the dance was in a Fela Kuti concert called "Cross Examination" by one of his back-up dancers/ex-wife in Berlin in 1978.[1] Additionally, it was performed by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown, Milli Vanilli, and Vanilla Ice during their live concert shows and music videos, but achieved renewed popularity in the 2000s. It is also used in some forms of the Melbourne Shuffle dance style. It consists of a hopping or sliding step done in such a way at speed to simulate a runner."
-snip-
The Wikipedia page for the Running Man dance that I accessed on April 19, 2022 is different from the one that I quoted above. Here's a portion of that entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_man_(dance)
"The Running Man is a street and fad dance popularized by Bobby Brown. It consists of a hopping or sliding step done in such a way at speed to simulate a runner. Notable practictionaers of the dance are MC Hammer, Janet Jackson, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Milli Vanilli, and Vanilla Ice during their live concert shows and music videos. It achieved somewhat of a memed revival during in the 2000s, where it is performed in some manner of the Melbourne shuffle dance style. A variation of the dance can be seen in a Fela Kuti concert called "Cross Examination" by one of his back-up dancers/ex-wife in Berlin in 1978.[1]…
snip-
Notice that there's no mention of the African origin of that dnce and not mention of it being performed by a dancer in (Nigerian afrobeat founder) Fela Kuti's group.
2. the Roger Rabbit
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Rabbit#Legacy
Roger Rabbit is a fictional animated anthropomorphic rabbit character. The character first appeared in author Gary K. Wolf's 1981 novel, Who Censored Roger Rabbit?
[...]
The book and character were later reenvisioned in Disney's hit 1988 live-action/animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In the film version, Roger is a cartoon character in Hollywood during the Golden age of American animation. The various toons live in a Los Angeles enclave known as "Toontown", and act out animated shorts in the same way human actors act out feature films. Roger is framed for the murder of a famous Hollywood film producer and owner of Toontown, and he seeks out Valiant to help clear his name...
[...]
The Roger Rabbit became a popular dance move in America in the early 1990s.[10][11] It was named after the floppy movements of the Roger Rabbit cartoon character. In movement, the Roger Rabbit dance is similar to the Running Man, but done by skipping backwards with arms performing a flapping gesture as if hooking one's thumbs on suspenders.[12]"...
****
3. the Reebok Dance
Note: There's no Wikipedia page on this dance.
The transcript for the Howcast video (embedded below) indicates that the Reebok dance 1985 is named after the Reebok brand of tennis shoes "when Reeboks first came out. Again, another dance named after whatever was popular at that time. Reeboks took over in 1985, I imagine. So this dance is called the Reebok." [read the transcript under the Reebok dance video below.
Here's an excerpt that includes that 1985 time frame "when Reebok took over":
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reebok
..."1980s–1990s
In 1982, Reebok debuted the Reebok Freestyle aerobics shoe, the first athletic shoe designed for women.[5][18] Fitness professional Gin Miller became the face of "Step Reebok," the company's aerobics fitness campaign and program.[16] The following year, Reebok's sales were $13 million.[19]
The company began expanding from tennis and aerobics shoes to running and basketball throughout the mid to late 1980s, the largest segments of the athletic footwear industry at the time.[20] Fireman bought the British-based parent company in 1984. In 1985, Reebok had its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RBK.[15][20]
In 1986, Reebok switched its logo from the Union Jack flag it had since its founding, to the Vector logo - an abstract Union Jack streak across a race track - which mirrored the design of the side flashes of its shoes[21][22] The switch signaled the transition of the company into a performance brand as it began licensing deals with professional athletes in the NBA and NFL.[23]"...
****
4. the Cabbage Patch
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage_Patch_(dance)
"The Cabbage Patch is a dance involving putting both hands together in fists and moving them in a horizontal, circular motion.[1][2]
Several songs about the dance have been released:
Rare Item & the Bud Buddies - "The Cabbage Patch Dance" (1983)
Delmar Donnell - "In the Cabbage Patch" (1984)
Experience Unlimited - "Doing the Cabbage Patch" (1986)
XII - "Cabbage Patch" (1986)
R.P. Cola - "The Cabbage Patch Dance" (1987)
Gucci Crew II - "The Cabbage Patch" (1987)[3]
World Class Wreckin' Cru - "Cabbage Patch" (1987)[4]
The dance became very popular, showing up in many dance clubs in America. The dance's name is derived from the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls or the use of "cabbage" as slang for paper money. There are many online videos demonstrating how to do the dance.[5][6] The dance was originally celebratory and often associated with being super cool and rad.[7]"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS:
Video #1: How to Do the Running Man | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 10, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Julian Nailuj, 2016
"Ladies and gents, this is THE ORIGINAL RUNNING MAN, not that toe-tapping bs on social media."
**
2. calionetime, 2016
"Now that's the real running man. Forget the running man challenge! Kids"
**
3. L O, 2016
"This is the real running man, the one we did & still do when we're feeling nostalgic lol The running man challenge is more of a shuffle but glad the kids got scholarships from it :)"
**
4. Jesse Aguilar, 2016
"original running man dance step did by MC Hammer"
**
5. MITHO, 2015
"That's not exactly how we did this TWENTYFIVE YEARS AGO! ;)"
**
REPLY
6. McFlySwatter, 2015
"+MITHO I agree.. I was watching it going umm noooo I don't think we did it like that lol"
**
REPLY
7. shannabanana310, 2016
"Dang, was it 25 years ago? I'm just wondering why all of the old 90s dance names are being recycled with something totally different. I'm glad to see this video though. 👏"
**
REPLY
8. SanbaiSan, 2017
"Well, feel free to post your "old-man" version then! :P"
****
How to Do the Roger Rabbit | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 11, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. JurassicClark96, 2014
"Ohhhhh this is the Bobby Brown move from Every Little Step!
Been looking for this forever! Thanks Howcast!"
**
2. tracy smith, 2015
"Like Rosie Perez at the start of "Do the Right Thing."
**
3. Denise DeniseHuxtable, 2017
"he put some "stank" on it at the end I see you"
-snip-
"Stank" is an African American form of the word stink (to smell badly). "Stank" means to "really stink."
"Put some stank on it" means to add your own variations, style, or flair to what you are doing, and in so doing make it better. An relatively oldish African American saying from around the 1970s or so is that a person "added their own flavor to the mix". In the case of dancing, this may mean that you are dancing harder (more energetically) and/or dancing more sensuously. When people are very energetic in their dancing they tend to sweat. When a lot of people in a room dance energetically, they and that room starts to stink (smell funky). "Stank" here is a positive that means the same thing as "funk" (or "funky"). That's why people who sing or dance funky, and music that is funky" are usually considered positives in African American culture.
**
REPLY
4. 0e0, 2019
"it's a pretty corny dance nowadays without that....i think she's contractually obligated to give it a bit more credibility
my corny is too strong...wholesome"
**
5. Hellofacutie, 2020
"This is the dance move that Oaktown 357 did with MC hammer!"
****
Video #2: How to Do the Reebok | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 21, 2012
-snip-
Here's the transcript of this video: https://www.howcast.com/videos/505204-how-to-do-the-reebok-hip-hop-dancing
I'm back with my friends. My friends, my friends. I'm back. We are going to show you a dance called the Reebok.
1985, when Reeboks first came out. Again, another dance named after whatever was popular at that time. Reeboks took over in 1985, I imagine. So this dance is called the Reebok.
We're going to start with the feet first. Right leg, your left, my right. Picking up the right leg, we're going to go in, step down. One, pick it up again, and two, and you're going to do three steps. Right, left, right. Let's try it on this side, and down. Back, down, and left, right, left. Good. So you can already tell your body's rocking a little bit. Just keep that motion.
Let's try it again. Six, seven, eight, and one, two, three, and four, and five, six, seven, and eight.
Now let's add arms. Arms are whatever you want. Some people punch opposite arm and leg, and bring it around. Some people use both arms the whole time. Pick whichever one you like, and do that. You're free to do so. So we have five, slowly with the arms, seven, eight. You want to go away. One, two, three, and four, and five, six, seven, again. And one, two, three, and four, and five, six, and seven, and eight.
Let's try it with music."
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Gemini Blaze, 2012
"Was always wondering what the name was when Will Smith was doing it back in Fresh Prince days..."
**
2. Ariana Villegas, 2013
"This step doesn't call Reebok, this step is Cabbage patch!!"
**
3. danielle amara, 2013
"yes you need to look deeply in oldskool dictionary reebok is more rambo dance more gang and this is the cabbage patch plz"
**
4. Sean Asher, 2014
"nooooooo, this is not the reebok!! old skoolers are laughing hard at this video
sorry, but you guys are doing the cabbage patch."
**
REPLY
5. Chocolate _ Deluxe, 2017
"Sean Asher - This is the REEBOK!"
**
REPLY
6. Urban Beatz, 2017
"+Phony Braxton no its not"
**
7. GLjunior, 2015
"that's the Reebok, the cabbage patch you stand still and move your hands in a stirring motion"
**
8. James Kent, 2017
"so I'm guessing this was the cabbage patch and then changed to the Reebok"
****
Video #3: How to Do the Cabbage Patch | Hip-Hop Dancing
Howcast, Sep 24, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments (numbered for referencing purposes only)
1. Kenpachi, 2012
"this isn't the cabbage patch i know..."
**
2. Shakaama, 2012
"i've watched 4 videos already, and this is the closest they get to actually doing the cabbage patch. it's not a 4 count. it's a 2 & 3 count."
**
3. meiyin09, 2015
"This is the West Coast Cabbage Patch."
**
REPLY
4. Azizi Powell, 2020
"Kenpachi, I showed this video to my daughter and she said this is how she remembers doing the Cabbage Patch (in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1980s.)
(We're African American, btw.)"
**
5. Mandeep Dhaliwal, 2019
"this isn’t even the real cabbage patch smh..."
**
6. Prodigal Son, 2019
"Lol. I love this. I love the way he moves and his expressions. And how he lowkey chased her at the end. I’m over here laughing like a little kid. That was funny"
**
7. onecutesweetypie, 2019
"These two are great!!! Awesome tutorial and fun video!! Love it!!"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Monie Love - "Monie In The Middle" (video, lyrics, and comments)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about the British Hip Hop artist Monie Love and showcases her 1990 song "Monie In The Middle".
The lyrics of this song are included in this post along with selected comments from this discussion threads, with particular attention to comments about Monie Love and this song and comments that include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang. I've also included my comments about the AAVE words and phrases used in some of these comments.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Monie Love for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this YouTube example.
Hat tip to commenter* monie Love for reminding me of this song.
*Commenter monie Love posted a comment in the discussion thread for this 2015 pancocojams post: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/kata-mwanangu-kata-swahili-music-dance.html "Kata Mwanangu Kata" (Swahili music dance video with English translation). Her comment reminded me of the "Monie In The Middle" song.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MONIE LOVE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monie_Love
"Monie Love (born Simone Gooden; July 2, 1970) is an English rapper and radio personality in the United States. She is a well-respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip-hop audiences as a protégé of American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late-1980s/early-1990s hip-hop group Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label. Love was born in the Battersea area of Wandsworth, London. She is the younger sister of techno musician Dave Angel, and was the daughter of a London-based, jazz musician father.
Musical career
Love began her musical career as an emcee in the British Jus Bad crew, which featured DJ Pogo, Sparki, and MC Mell'O'. The group released the single "Free Style/Proud" on the independent Tuff Groove record label in 1988. Manager Steve Finan was introduced to her by Rodney P. Steve Finan signed Monie Love to Danny D and Peter Edge at Cooltempo Records in the UK, and then Benny Medina at Warner Brothers in the United States. Monie Love first gained critical and commercial notice in the United States in 1989 for her cameos on Queen Latifah's Grammy Award-winning and pro-feminist single "Ladies First", on Adeva's "Ring My Bell", on the Jungle Brothers' single "Doin' Our Own Dang" and on De La Soul's hit single "Buddy". The acclaim led her to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, making Love one of the few British hip-hop efforts released by a major label. She also has a place in hip-hop history as a member of the Native Tongues, a collective that included Queen Latifah, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, and a number of other acts. Her versatility was demonstrated with her involvement in the emerging popularity of house music with her own single "Grandpa's Party" as well as providing rap vocals for the Dancin' Danny D Remix of Adeva's house hit "Respect".
Love's debut album, Down To Earth, spawned two, Grammy-nominated hits, "Monie in the Middle" (a track dealing with a woman's right to determine what she wants out of a relationship) and "It's a Shame (My Sister)" (which sampled The Spinners' "It's a Shame", written for the band by Stevie Wonder) and featured house-music vocalist and then-labelmate Ultra Naté. The album reached #26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[1]" ...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO" Monie Love - Monie In Middle
revenant7605, Uploaded on May 7, 2007
-snip-
This video publisher mistakenly wrote that this song was from the 1980s. Actually, it was released in 1990.
****
LYRICS: MONIE IN THE MIDDLE
(Simone Gooden, aka Monie Love)
Brother what is with you, you can't take a hint?
I need to shove a splint between your eyes for you to see
You and me were never meant to be
Your homeboy likes me, I like him too, get out the picture
I get your point but I'm not rolling with the punch
I scrunched up the letter you wrote me in lunch
In 5th period I pay no notice to your motion
My work is on the table, my pen's in locomotion
Every time I turn around, you're looking at my face
I try to ignore you, the bell rings, I race out the room
Zoom to another room, sit down, what do you know?
The lover's in town
The other brother (Who?) The one I want to talk to
Sitting three seats back, and I'mma walk over to him
And give him the letter I wrote
Because my feelings towards him are brewing, ya know?
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 2x)
In 7th the knucklehead walks in and sits down beside me
I said "Yo, why you trying to ride me?"
Day in and day out I can't seem to get you off my back
What do you think I should do about that?
In fact it's embarrassing, what a buffoon
You even follow me in the ladies bathroom
Give me a break, I can't take it, the stakes are too high
Besides, there goes the other brother
I'm not Keith Sweat, so don't sweat me
The other brother's smooth approach is what gets me
He intrigues the Mon you know
So I suggest the course towards me you blow
You're wasting time pursuing Monie
Cause she's pursuing the lover only
And as my mother did she told me
Go for what you know, Mo, yo
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 2x)
Bringing matters to a close and everybody knows
That I'm no longer in the middle
I made my decision, precisely, precision is a must
For me to solve another riddle
Step into a brand new rhythm,-ism schisms
Nope, I'm not with 'em, I've given
My undivided attention, you know what I'm saying?
No type of games I'm playing when
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 4x)
Source; https://genius.com/Monie-love-monie-in-the-middle-lyrics
Song explanation from that page:
comment published by Feather, 2011
"From the album “Down to Earth” in 1990
Sampled Bad Bascomb’s “Black Grass” (1972) and Coke Escovedo’s “I wouldn’t change a thing” (1976).
Monie is caught in the middle of 2 young men at school-one guy she is trying to get attention from and another guy that she can’t get to leave her alone."
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THAT VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments by year given first, except for replies. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
Note: I compile selected comments and include them with the videos that I showcase on pancocojams in part because of their historical and folkloric information (for instance, the memories that the commenters share and the vernacular terms that are used).
Another reason that I include selected comments from these videos' discussion threads is to provide examples of comments from YouTube comment threads that don't include profanity, sexual explicit words, the use of "the n word", argumentative or trolling comments, and other content that I don't want to read (and I think some other people may also not want to read. However, this is only a small portion of the comments in that video's discussion thread that don't include profanity etc.
Total number of viewers (as of April 25, 2017, 12:12 pm) - 842,145 views
Total number of comments (as of April 25, 2017, 12:12 pm) - 606
1. ChocDiva75, 2007
"O M G !!! Man, I ain't seen this video in ages, yo! I am such a huge fan of hers. You brought back some serious memories for me...LOL"
**
2. Gr8muta, 2007
"This was the JAM!"
**
3. mrmoore1970, 2007
"This was my jam back in eary-to-late 1990! I wonder what Monie Love is doing these days?! The last I heard about her, she was DJ here in Philly on 100.3 The Beat, after that, she sorta disappeared, at least from Philadelphia radio. This song and "Ladies First" w/ Queen Latifah were my jams back in the day!"
**
4. rufus317, 2007
"BET used to kill this video!"
-snip-
BET = Black Entertainment Television (an American television station that, in its early days, used to play Black music videos).
In the context of this sentence, "kill" means "play a lot"
**
5. you317, 2007
"Monie has such a great voice. Very sharp and confident delivery."
**
6. timbalandj, 2007
"The girl on the hook is Leshaun formerly known as Almond Joy who appeared on L.L. Cool J's "Doin it" studio version but not in the video due to her pregnancy"
-snip-
"hook" - the repeated lyrics in a song
**
7. Nima Warfield, 2008
"Truck jewelry on the "Where she at?" backup sista, fo' real. Peep the earrings, yo...."
**
8. lashawntee8 years ago
Yup they use to snatch our earrings in Philly....I cant tell you how many I got taken from me....But anyway it was a great era for us...Now im 41 years old...still love old skool.
-snip-
Girls who wore these type of earrings would take them off if they were getting ready to fight or else the earrings would be ripped off of them, and their ears would probably be torn.
Other comments about these earrings can be found below.
**
9. kim4hoff4, 2008
I love the whole Native Tongue movement.
-snip-
"Native Tongue" was a group that Monie Love belonged to before she went solo.
**
10. Giovanni Centurione
"She got some sweat ass words in dis and all her tracks. This style needs to comeback"
-snip-
I think that the word "ass" here is used as an intensifier to mean "really sweet" or "very sweet".
Sweet = "very good", dope, hip, cool, the bomb etc.
**
11. ltinsley2, 2009
"man i miss the old days! '89 was a good year for hip hop. thanks for posting"
**
Reply
12. ltinsley2, 2009
"my bad this was 1990! still a classic
-snip-
"My bad"= an informal phrase meaning "my mistake"; "sorry"
-snip_
"My bad" is supposed to be immediately said if you accidentally did something wrong (such as stepped on someone's foot) to avert having to experience any serious consequences.
**
13. utbr0, 2009
"CLASS SICK!!! still da bomb!!"
-snip-
"Class" probably means "Classic". "sick and "the bomb" mean the same thing as the comment immediately below.
**
14. shoowtime, 2009
"Outstanding."
**
15. Kasino Royale, 2009
"Hardcore hiphop heads clowned this back in the day. The same way they clowned Will Smith. Those same people now swear this is 'real' rap and clown the younger artist. I swear we as a culture just like to hate. Rap goes in cycles. Monie is no different than todays Lil Momma. JoeSki Love n the Peewee Herman is no different from Solja Boys Crank that. Funny the older we get, the more we change our past. We laugh at em with their pants hanging off but we had clothes inside out just 2 name a few fads"
-snip-
"clowned" = made fun of
**
16. Dj Skief, 2009
"LONDON ENGLAND stand up!! Real HIP HOP music. This song is HUGE! never will there be music like this again."
**
17. 1nfamous76, 2009
"SOUTH LONDON UK stand up, she used to live about 5 mins from my crib, went same school as my sister - Walsingham Girls in Clapham. SO PROUD OF HER"
-snip-
Stand up = a common saying that is a clip of "Stand up and be counted", the same meaning as "give a shout out to ___, "recognize" (give recognition to __)
"crib"= home
**
18. Dj Skief, 2010
"Classic hip hop. I love this track. Shot out to LONDON ENGLAND"
-snip-
"Shot out"= typo for "Shout out" [giving deserved recognition to]
This comment isn't a reply, but is presented here because of its content.
**
19. freshPrincess626, 2009
"i gotta say, that yellow and white jacket she got on is pretty fly.
DANG i miss being a 90s kid!"
-snip-
"fly" = hip, in the latest urban street style
**
20. Sylentera, 2009
"I love Monie's flow..I miss the old Mcees.."
-snip-
"flow" = the way a person raps
MCees "Mcs" = rappers, as compared to DJs (the record technicians, the persons who spinned the records that the MCs rapped to)
**
21. parkay301, 2009
"mc lyte, queen latifah and monie had so much style and class. they were so different, but so pleasurable to listen to."
**
22. TheChyckClique, 2009
"For some reason I always thought Monie reminded me of Left Eye or vice versa."
**
23. Anne Hamilton, 2013
"A little cutie, she reminds me of Left-eye from TLC, when the group first started in the
early 90's...God rest her soul."
**
24. superfly1200, 2015
"omg Left Eye did sound like her in the beginning glad changed and rapped her own style"
**
25. Gee Man, 2017
"clearly Monie was who left eye Lopez idolized."
-snip-
These three comments aren't replies, but are added here because of their content.
**
26. sweetcherry4282, 2009
"This is straight 90's. Cross colors in full effect. I miss these days.
-snip-
"straight" = definitely
"Cross Colors" was a popular brand of clothing (among Hip Hop fans) that combined different colors in the same garment.
**
27. thaporndawgz1, 2009
"this track isnt exactly old skool.Old skool would be kurtis blow,grandmaster flash,the treacherous 3.music that came out during the break dance era.which would be the late 70s throw the 80s"
I would know,I was there.
**
28. LilNancyDrew, 2010
"Hey look, look, look, A real rapper."
**
29. ENJ4321, 2010
"@equeen222 Not just Lauryn Hill homie.There is Rah Digga,Jean Grae,Lady Luck,ill E Gal,Lady Of Rage,Lady Sovereign,Missy Elliot,Da Brat, and of course Left Eye.None of the ones on the list I said used any sexuality to sale albums, the are just women that can rhyme.Don't get it twisted though Kim,Foxy,Eve, Shawnna,Trina, and La Chat can spit as well as a man."
-snip-
I can't find the comment this is written in reply to, but I gather the commenter said that Lauryn Hill was the only female rapper that didn't use sexuality to sell albums. "spit"= "rap"
**
30. Moniqtee, 2010
"haha! Moni in the Middle! Everybody used to sing this song to me when I was a kid... I was in 7th grade! I know this song VERSE FOR VERSE! You know this! Pure classic!"
**
31. Carmaker1, 2010
"@janetenn This is 90s with an 80s flavor. It's barely over half a year into 1990, so that's why it seems 80s. That is reason why the 80s and early 90s are frequently grouped together. This was shot around September 1990."
**
32. Dawon Broaddus, 2010
"Love the ol school video. The earrings clothes and everything. That's how ma sisters use to dress."
**
33. 124sexylady, 2011
"Monie is from England and she rapped like she was born and raised in NY!! She was a very good rapper back in the day..too bad she only had a few tracks out there in the early 90's..Miss u Monie!!"
**
34. kjamai26, 2011
"This was the days when rap was fun & easy to dance to. No profanity, nudity or degrading terms for women."
**
35. zachary guerrero, 2011
"monie love spits fire"
-snip-
spits= raps ; fire [lyrics (bars) that are really hot (good).
**
36. RELL SHEEZE5 years ago
she killed this joint! i was in love with her as a kid! still am! lol... marry me!!!"
-snip-
"Killin"= excelling in what you say or do; doing something really well
joint- jam, track, tune, song, record
**
37. Michael Hamby, 2011
"Classic. Whatever happend to Monie Love. This was out when De La Soul's, "3 feet high and rising" broke big. Played these CD's over and over."
**
Reply
38. 91Definite, 2011
"@wmhamby Monie Love last album was in '93 "In a word or 2". Then in '00 she made some type of EP called "Sice of da Pie" and that was really it of her. She had other dreams she wanted to pursue, but she still is around alot of events of hip hop. She had her own show on a radio station in Philly but she left cause of Young Jeezy they had a argument about hip hop..It's on youtube search it up. But man she was a beastress on the mic though :)p"
-snip-
"beatress" = a female beast ("beast" = a person who excels in what he [or she] does; "monster" is also used this way to refer to someone who does something powerful, beyond 'mere mortals".
Note: I've never seen or heard "beastress" used before. This commenter may have coined that term.
**
39. SlimmArmstrong, 2011
"@cigarlounge1 I TOTALLY agree..but let's give Monie all her props..she's a real MC..easily top 10 of all females, and could roast some of the brothas, too"
**
40. MrDamonLJohnson, 2011
"LOL! I remember when all the girls, including my sisters, used to wear those big hats and bamboo earrings. Ahh....the memories....."
-snip-
Those big earrings were informally called "door knockers" because that's what they looked like.
**
41. te4888, 2011
"i used to do that dance she did at the end in like the 4th grade. so dope."
-snip-
"so dope" = so cool (hip, good)
**
42. kiddkevo, 2012
"Crank dat Spongebob dance @ 2:49 lmaoo"
-snip-
"Crank dat" [that] = do the [name of dance], for example "Crank that Soulja Boy"
**
43. superskullmaster, 2012
"From 2:49 onward, they killin that Spongebob, of course back then it wasn't called the spongebob."
**
44. Mari Amygdahlia, 2013
"She nailed this one. Horns and Hip Hop match made in heaven!"
**
45. Nellzartworx, 2013
"She was so ill, highly underrated"
**
46. VW DT, 2013
"Old girl Monie Love flow is raw as hell. Whatever the topic she is rhyming about u know she going to come with a hard and swift delivery. Thatz what makes/made her so ill.And that hook although basic is sick too."
-snip-
All of these adjectives and adjectival phrases: 'raw as hell", "hard and swift", "ill", and "sick" are highly complimentary African American Vernacular English descriptors. And in the context of this comment, "old girl" is an affectionate term for a woman who may not even be old in chronological terms.
**
47. TigerLikesTail, 2013
"The female rappers from the UK always got me..
First The Cookie Crew & Then Monie :-)
This track is about Big Daddy Kane of all people lol.
Google this term (D-Nice Presents True Hip-Hop Stories: Monie Love) you will see what I am saying"
**
48. Sharon Scu, 2013
"She said this was based on real life with Big Daddy Kane & one of his dancers..."
**
49. Levi stgermain, 2013
"hightop 90s fade , my cousin in his teen had a hightop fade in 1990 or 1991 when this song came out. i think i was 10 years old that time, when this song came out it was FUNKY.
-snip-
"hightop fade"= popular late 1980s and early 1990s young Black male "style of haircut where hair on the sides is cut off or kept very short while hair on the top of the head is very long" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-top_fade
**
50. Feenix, 2013
"I still cant believe shes from the UK"
**
Reply
51. Sylvester Boson, 2014
"there were a few old school rappers from the UK"
**
Reply
52. MrLanzie, 2014
"why not?"
**
55. Feenix, 2014
"+MrLanzie Cos she looks and sounds like a Yank
**
Reply
56. MrLanzie, 2014
"+fffeeenixxx Oh right, in the mid 80s UK rappers would often put on an american accent. she moved to the USA and married one of the jungle brothers.
Slick Rick, Young MC and MF Doom are also originally from the UK."
**
57. Jeffrey Blake, 2014
"I still love monie love!"
**
58. Curtis Anderson, 2014
"Monie Love was not a one hit wonder. She hosts Ladies First on Sirius Xm radio. This hit song is one of many, classic. Go Monie!"
**
59. PAC Cap, 2014
"This what I call real hip hop.
Omg I love this girl so much , I miss you monie , god bliss you sis."
**
Reply
60. PAC Cap, 2014
"Long Live Simone Gooden ."
**
61. Phaedo13, 2014
"ah the good old days when rap was just fun, not the mass commercialized garbage that it has now become"
**
Reply
62. asds92, 2014
"+Phaedo13 Maaaaaaaan you ain't lying! I miss those days"
**
Reply
63. Yvonne Juju, 2015
"+Phaedo13 YOU TOOK the words OUT OF MOUTH"
**
Reply
64. Scott Robert, 2015
"It's heartbreaking to realize. Thankfully we were blessed by this and able to smile about it."
**
Reply
65. LostJomper, 2015
"+Phaedo13 well, I guess you never heard nowadays good rap, dont be that superficial and search for it :P"
**
66. Eguzzisme, 2015
"I remember having this cassette and rewinding it over and over again so I could learn the whole song. It took me a few day to learn to rap as fast as she did in this song. I haven't heard it in about 20 years, and I still know every word! LOL. I think I just impressed both of my teenagers!! 😂😂"
**
67. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"I love the old school round the way girl vibes! New York back then was the bomb... all the way up until the Juice days. The girl popping up behind Monie was so Funny!! "Where She At?""
**
Reply
68. Sean D. Martin, 2016
"That's Leshaun....she was the one that did the vocals to L.l.. Cool J song doing it.....she's still around she does interior design now"
**
Reply
69. John Bell, 2016
"old school?"
**
Reply
70. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"Hey, that was cool to learn. Thank You!!! ;)... I loved her in this song."
**
Reply
71. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"Yep Old School Hip Hop, and If you don't know look it up."
**
72. John Bell, 2016
+Lejuan Dean Blak ppl r the only to label their music ... old at 40s?
**
Reply
73. manfocused, 2017
"We had CRAZY fun in Brooklyn back in the day. I was 17 when this joint came out (going to Boys and Girls HS), and I remember those days well. We was even doing the "Sponge Bob"(@ 2:55) before it had a name. Lol."
**
Reply
74. Lejuan Dean, 2017
"We do label our music, you're right! Because in some form or fashion ... whatever has changed or become non existent with the times, becomes filed in another category such as Old School. To Me, this song and era is considered old school hip hop versus what garbage we have on the radio today. It was a message, a vibe, dances and styles that now make you reminisce back to that Era."
**
75. Vince West, 2016
"I love that steppin in the back. Still smooth ...!"
**
76. ATLien4Life, 2016
"She proved "Black don't crack". In her mid 40's and is gorgeous..."
-snip-
The familiar African American saying "Good Black Don't Crack" refers to the belief that Black people don't physically show their age as much as White people.
**
77. 20 MIC, 2016
"she was harder than 90% of the cats out now and then."
**
Reply
78. 20 MIC, 2016
I wish she come back yo.
**
79. Ray Asay, 2016
"I missed q 102 philly and hot 97 New York back then playing great tracks like these! Wow I wish YouTube and iPads existed back in the early 1990s so I didn't have to hope to find tracks like these by sheer luck on the radio and hope there was good reception! Haha"
**
Reply
80. ProudToBe AnAmerican, 2016
"Haha. Where were you that Hot 97 wouldn't come in good? I was in Queens. My radio was constantly recording!"
**
81. manfocused, 2017
"What's funny is this song/video came out 27 years ago and the young kids today don't look or dress any different from the young brothers in the back dancing @ 2:46 - 2:51. Youngins today are even rocking the same haircuts WE rocked back then. @ 2:55, y'all called that dance the "Sponge Bob" in '07. We was doing that dance 17 years before that and we didn't even have a name for it. Lol."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides information about the British Hip Hop artist Monie Love and showcases her 1990 song "Monie In The Middle".
The lyrics of this song are included in this post along with selected comments from this discussion threads, with particular attention to comments about Monie Love and this song and comments that include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang. I've also included my comments about the AAVE words and phrases used in some of these comments.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Monie Love for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this YouTube example.
Hat tip to commenter* monie Love for reminding me of this song.
*Commenter monie Love posted a comment in the discussion thread for this 2015 pancocojams post: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/kata-mwanangu-kata-swahili-music-dance.html "Kata Mwanangu Kata" (Swahili music dance video with English translation). Her comment reminded me of the "Monie In The Middle" song.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MONIE LOVE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monie_Love
"Monie Love (born Simone Gooden; July 2, 1970) is an English rapper and radio personality in the United States. She is a well-respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip-hop audiences as a protégé of American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late-1980s/early-1990s hip-hop group Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label. Love was born in the Battersea area of Wandsworth, London. She is the younger sister of techno musician Dave Angel, and was the daughter of a London-based, jazz musician father.
Musical career
Love began her musical career as an emcee in the British Jus Bad crew, which featured DJ Pogo, Sparki, and MC Mell'O'. The group released the single "Free Style/Proud" on the independent Tuff Groove record label in 1988. Manager Steve Finan was introduced to her by Rodney P. Steve Finan signed Monie Love to Danny D and Peter Edge at Cooltempo Records in the UK, and then Benny Medina at Warner Brothers in the United States. Monie Love first gained critical and commercial notice in the United States in 1989 for her cameos on Queen Latifah's Grammy Award-winning and pro-feminist single "Ladies First", on Adeva's "Ring My Bell", on the Jungle Brothers' single "Doin' Our Own Dang" and on De La Soul's hit single "Buddy". The acclaim led her to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, making Love one of the few British hip-hop efforts released by a major label. She also has a place in hip-hop history as a member of the Native Tongues, a collective that included Queen Latifah, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, and a number of other acts. Her versatility was demonstrated with her involvement in the emerging popularity of house music with her own single "Grandpa's Party" as well as providing rap vocals for the Dancin' Danny D Remix of Adeva's house hit "Respect".
Love's debut album, Down To Earth, spawned two, Grammy-nominated hits, "Monie in the Middle" (a track dealing with a woman's right to determine what she wants out of a relationship) and "It's a Shame (My Sister)" (which sampled The Spinners' "It's a Shame", written for the band by Stevie Wonder) and featured house-music vocalist and then-labelmate Ultra Naté. The album reached #26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[1]" ...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO" Monie Love - Monie In Middle
revenant7605, Uploaded on May 7, 2007
-snip-
This video publisher mistakenly wrote that this song was from the 1980s. Actually, it was released in 1990.
****
LYRICS: MONIE IN THE MIDDLE
(Simone Gooden, aka Monie Love)
Brother what is with you, you can't take a hint?
I need to shove a splint between your eyes for you to see
You and me were never meant to be
Your homeboy likes me, I like him too, get out the picture
I get your point but I'm not rolling with the punch
I scrunched up the letter you wrote me in lunch
In 5th period I pay no notice to your motion
My work is on the table, my pen's in locomotion
Every time I turn around, you're looking at my face
I try to ignore you, the bell rings, I race out the room
Zoom to another room, sit down, what do you know?
The lover's in town
The other brother (Who?) The one I want to talk to
Sitting three seats back, and I'mma walk over to him
And give him the letter I wrote
Because my feelings towards him are brewing, ya know?
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 2x)
In 7th the knucklehead walks in and sits down beside me
I said "Yo, why you trying to ride me?"
Day in and day out I can't seem to get you off my back
What do you think I should do about that?
In fact it's embarrassing, what a buffoon
You even follow me in the ladies bathroom
Give me a break, I can't take it, the stakes are too high
Besides, there goes the other brother
I'm not Keith Sweat, so don't sweat me
The other brother's smooth approach is what gets me
He intrigues the Mon you know
So I suggest the course towards me you blow
You're wasting time pursuing Monie
Cause she's pursuing the lover only
And as my mother did she told me
Go for what you know, Mo, yo
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 2x)
Bringing matters to a close and everybody knows
That I'm no longer in the middle
I made my decision, precisely, precision is a must
For me to solve another riddle
Step into a brand new rhythm,-ism schisms
Nope, I'm not with 'em, I've given
My undivided attention, you know what I'm saying?
No type of games I'm playing when
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
Yep, Monie's in the middle (Where that at?) In the middle
Monie in the middle (Where she at?) In the middle
(Go Mon, Mon, what is she?) Monie in the middle (Repeat 4x)
Source; https://genius.com/Monie-love-monie-in-the-middle-lyrics
Song explanation from that page:
comment published by Feather, 2011
"From the album “Down to Earth” in 1990
Sampled Bad Bascomb’s “Black Grass” (1972) and Coke Escovedo’s “I wouldn’t change a thing” (1976).
Monie is caught in the middle of 2 young men at school-one guy she is trying to get attention from and another guy that she can’t get to leave her alone."
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THAT VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments by year given first, except for replies. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
Note: I compile selected comments and include them with the videos that I showcase on pancocojams in part because of their historical and folkloric information (for instance, the memories that the commenters share and the vernacular terms that are used).
Another reason that I include selected comments from these videos' discussion threads is to provide examples of comments from YouTube comment threads that don't include profanity, sexual explicit words, the use of "the n word", argumentative or trolling comments, and other content that I don't want to read (and I think some other people may also not want to read. However, this is only a small portion of the comments in that video's discussion thread that don't include profanity etc.
Total number of viewers (as of April 25, 2017, 12:12 pm) - 842,145 views
Total number of comments (as of April 25, 2017, 12:12 pm) - 606
1. ChocDiva75, 2007
"O M G !!! Man, I ain't seen this video in ages, yo! I am such a huge fan of hers. You brought back some serious memories for me...LOL"
**
2. Gr8muta, 2007
"This was the JAM!"
**
3. mrmoore1970, 2007
"This was my jam back in eary-to-late 1990! I wonder what Monie Love is doing these days?! The last I heard about her, she was DJ here in Philly on 100.3 The Beat, after that, she sorta disappeared, at least from Philadelphia radio. This song and "Ladies First" w/ Queen Latifah were my jams back in the day!"
**
4. rufus317, 2007
"BET used to kill this video!"
-snip-
BET = Black Entertainment Television (an American television station that, in its early days, used to play Black music videos).
In the context of this sentence, "kill" means "play a lot"
**
5. you317, 2007
"Monie has such a great voice. Very sharp and confident delivery."
**
6. timbalandj, 2007
"The girl on the hook is Leshaun formerly known as Almond Joy who appeared on L.L. Cool J's "Doin it" studio version but not in the video due to her pregnancy"
-snip-
"hook" - the repeated lyrics in a song
**
7. Nima Warfield, 2008
"Truck jewelry on the "Where she at?" backup sista, fo' real. Peep the earrings, yo...."
**
8. lashawntee8 years ago
Yup they use to snatch our earrings in Philly....I cant tell you how many I got taken from me....But anyway it was a great era for us...Now im 41 years old...still love old skool.
-snip-
Girls who wore these type of earrings would take them off if they were getting ready to fight or else the earrings would be ripped off of them, and their ears would probably be torn.
Other comments about these earrings can be found below.
**
9. kim4hoff4, 2008
I love the whole Native Tongue movement.
-snip-
"Native Tongue" was a group that Monie Love belonged to before she went solo.
**
10. Giovanni Centurione
"She got some sweat ass words in dis and all her tracks. This style needs to comeback"
-snip-
I think that the word "ass" here is used as an intensifier to mean "really sweet" or "very sweet".
Sweet = "very good", dope, hip, cool, the bomb etc.
**
11. ltinsley2, 2009
"man i miss the old days! '89 was a good year for hip hop. thanks for posting"
**
Reply
12. ltinsley2, 2009
"my bad this was 1990! still a classic
-snip-
"My bad"= an informal phrase meaning "my mistake"; "sorry"
-snip_
"My bad" is supposed to be immediately said if you accidentally did something wrong (such as stepped on someone's foot) to avert having to experience any serious consequences.
**
13. utbr0, 2009
"CLASS SICK!!! still da bomb!!"
-snip-
"Class" probably means "Classic". "sick and "the bomb" mean the same thing as the comment immediately below.
**
14. shoowtime, 2009
"Outstanding."
**
15. Kasino Royale, 2009
"Hardcore hiphop heads clowned this back in the day. The same way they clowned Will Smith. Those same people now swear this is 'real' rap and clown the younger artist. I swear we as a culture just like to hate. Rap goes in cycles. Monie is no different than todays Lil Momma. JoeSki Love n the Peewee Herman is no different from Solja Boys Crank that. Funny the older we get, the more we change our past. We laugh at em with their pants hanging off but we had clothes inside out just 2 name a few fads"
-snip-
"clowned" = made fun of
**
16. Dj Skief, 2009
"LONDON ENGLAND stand up!! Real HIP HOP music. This song is HUGE! never will there be music like this again."
**
17. 1nfamous76, 2009
"SOUTH LONDON UK stand up, she used to live about 5 mins from my crib, went same school as my sister - Walsingham Girls in Clapham. SO PROUD OF HER"
-snip-
Stand up = a common saying that is a clip of "Stand up and be counted", the same meaning as "give a shout out to ___, "recognize" (give recognition to __)
"crib"= home
**
18. Dj Skief, 2010
"Classic hip hop. I love this track. Shot out to LONDON ENGLAND"
-snip-
"Shot out"= typo for "Shout out" [giving deserved recognition to]
This comment isn't a reply, but is presented here because of its content.
**
19. freshPrincess626, 2009
"i gotta say, that yellow and white jacket she got on is pretty fly.
DANG i miss being a 90s kid!"
-snip-
"fly" = hip, in the latest urban street style
**
20. Sylentera, 2009
"I love Monie's flow..I miss the old Mcees.."
-snip-
"flow" = the way a person raps
MCees "Mcs" = rappers, as compared to DJs (the record technicians, the persons who spinned the records that the MCs rapped to)
**
21. parkay301, 2009
"mc lyte, queen latifah and monie had so much style and class. they were so different, but so pleasurable to listen to."
**
22. TheChyckClique, 2009
"For some reason I always thought Monie reminded me of Left Eye or vice versa."
**
23. Anne Hamilton, 2013
"A little cutie, she reminds me of Left-eye from TLC, when the group first started in the
early 90's...God rest her soul."
**
24. superfly1200, 2015
"omg Left Eye did sound like her in the beginning glad changed and rapped her own style"
**
25. Gee Man, 2017
"clearly Monie was who left eye Lopez idolized."
-snip-
These three comments aren't replies, but are added here because of their content.
**
26. sweetcherry4282, 2009
"This is straight 90's. Cross colors in full effect. I miss these days.
-snip-
"straight" = definitely
"Cross Colors" was a popular brand of clothing (among Hip Hop fans) that combined different colors in the same garment.
**
27. thaporndawgz1, 2009
"this track isnt exactly old skool.Old skool would be kurtis blow,grandmaster flash,the treacherous 3.music that came out during the break dance era.which would be the late 70s throw the 80s"
I would know,I was there.
**
28. LilNancyDrew, 2010
"Hey look, look, look, A real rapper."
**
29. ENJ4321, 2010
"@equeen222 Not just Lauryn Hill homie.There is Rah Digga,Jean Grae,Lady Luck,ill E Gal,Lady Of Rage,Lady Sovereign,Missy Elliot,Da Brat, and of course Left Eye.None of the ones on the list I said used any sexuality to sale albums, the are just women that can rhyme.Don't get it twisted though Kim,Foxy,Eve, Shawnna,Trina, and La Chat can spit as well as a man."
-snip-
I can't find the comment this is written in reply to, but I gather the commenter said that Lauryn Hill was the only female rapper that didn't use sexuality to sell albums. "spit"= "rap"
**
30. Moniqtee, 2010
"haha! Moni in the Middle! Everybody used to sing this song to me when I was a kid... I was in 7th grade! I know this song VERSE FOR VERSE! You know this! Pure classic!"
**
31. Carmaker1, 2010
"@janetenn This is 90s with an 80s flavor. It's barely over half a year into 1990, so that's why it seems 80s. That is reason why the 80s and early 90s are frequently grouped together. This was shot around September 1990."
**
32. Dawon Broaddus, 2010
"Love the ol school video. The earrings clothes and everything. That's how ma sisters use to dress."
**
33. 124sexylady, 2011
"Monie is from England and she rapped like she was born and raised in NY!! She was a very good rapper back in the day..too bad she only had a few tracks out there in the early 90's..Miss u Monie!!"
**
34. kjamai26, 2011
"This was the days when rap was fun & easy to dance to. No profanity, nudity or degrading terms for women."
**
35. zachary guerrero, 2011
"monie love spits fire"
-snip-
spits= raps ; fire [lyrics (bars) that are really hot (good).
**
36. RELL SHEEZE5 years ago
she killed this joint! i was in love with her as a kid! still am! lol... marry me!!!"
-snip-
"Killin"= excelling in what you say or do; doing something really well
joint- jam, track, tune, song, record
**
37. Michael Hamby, 2011
"Classic. Whatever happend to Monie Love. This was out when De La Soul's, "3 feet high and rising" broke big. Played these CD's over and over."
**
Reply
38. 91Definite, 2011
"@wmhamby Monie Love last album was in '93 "In a word or 2". Then in '00 she made some type of EP called "Sice of da Pie" and that was really it of her. She had other dreams she wanted to pursue, but she still is around alot of events of hip hop. She had her own show on a radio station in Philly but she left cause of Young Jeezy they had a argument about hip hop..It's on youtube search it up. But man she was a beastress on the mic though :)p"
-snip-
"beatress" = a female beast ("beast" = a person who excels in what he [or she] does; "monster" is also used this way to refer to someone who does something powerful, beyond 'mere mortals".
Note: I've never seen or heard "beastress" used before. This commenter may have coined that term.
**
39. SlimmArmstrong, 2011
"@cigarlounge1 I TOTALLY agree..but let's give Monie all her props..she's a real MC..easily top 10 of all females, and could roast some of the brothas, too"
**
40. MrDamonLJohnson, 2011
"LOL! I remember when all the girls, including my sisters, used to wear those big hats and bamboo earrings. Ahh....the memories....."
-snip-
Those big earrings were informally called "door knockers" because that's what they looked like.
**
41. te4888, 2011
"i used to do that dance she did at the end in like the 4th grade. so dope."
-snip-
"so dope" = so cool (hip, good)
**
42. kiddkevo, 2012
"Crank dat Spongebob dance @ 2:49 lmaoo"
-snip-
"Crank dat" [that] = do the [name of dance], for example "Crank that Soulja Boy"
**
43. superskullmaster, 2012
"From 2:49 onward, they killin that Spongebob, of course back then it wasn't called the spongebob."
**
44. Mari Amygdahlia, 2013
"She nailed this one. Horns and Hip Hop match made in heaven!"
**
45. Nellzartworx, 2013
"She was so ill, highly underrated"
**
46. VW DT, 2013
"Old girl Monie Love flow is raw as hell. Whatever the topic she is rhyming about u know she going to come with a hard and swift delivery. Thatz what makes/made her so ill.And that hook although basic is sick too."
-snip-
All of these adjectives and adjectival phrases: 'raw as hell", "hard and swift", "ill", and "sick" are highly complimentary African American Vernacular English descriptors. And in the context of this comment, "old girl" is an affectionate term for a woman who may not even be old in chronological terms.
**
47. TigerLikesTail, 2013
"The female rappers from the UK always got me..
First The Cookie Crew & Then Monie :-)
This track is about Big Daddy Kane of all people lol.
Google this term (D-Nice Presents True Hip-Hop Stories: Monie Love) you will see what I am saying"
**
48. Sharon Scu, 2013
"She said this was based on real life with Big Daddy Kane & one of his dancers..."
**
49. Levi stgermain, 2013
"hightop 90s fade , my cousin in his teen had a hightop fade in 1990 or 1991 when this song came out. i think i was 10 years old that time, when this song came out it was FUNKY.
-snip-
"hightop fade"= popular late 1980s and early 1990s young Black male "style of haircut where hair on the sides is cut off or kept very short while hair on the top of the head is very long" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-top_fade
**
50. Feenix, 2013
"I still cant believe shes from the UK"
**
Reply
51. Sylvester Boson, 2014
"there were a few old school rappers from the UK"
**
Reply
52. MrLanzie, 2014
"why not?"
**
55. Feenix, 2014
"+MrLanzie Cos she looks and sounds like a Yank
**
Reply
56. MrLanzie, 2014
"+fffeeenixxx Oh right, in the mid 80s UK rappers would often put on an american accent. she moved to the USA and married one of the jungle brothers.
Slick Rick, Young MC and MF Doom are also originally from the UK."
**
57. Jeffrey Blake, 2014
"I still love monie love!"
**
58. Curtis Anderson, 2014
"Monie Love was not a one hit wonder. She hosts Ladies First on Sirius Xm radio. This hit song is one of many, classic. Go Monie!"
**
59. PAC Cap, 2014
"This what I call real hip hop.
Omg I love this girl so much , I miss you monie , god bliss you sis."
**
Reply
60. PAC Cap, 2014
"Long Live Simone Gooden ."
**
61. Phaedo13, 2014
"ah the good old days when rap was just fun, not the mass commercialized garbage that it has now become"
**
Reply
62. asds92, 2014
"+Phaedo13 Maaaaaaaan you ain't lying! I miss those days"
**
Reply
63. Yvonne Juju, 2015
"+Phaedo13 YOU TOOK the words OUT OF MOUTH"
**
Reply
64. Scott Robert, 2015
"It's heartbreaking to realize. Thankfully we were blessed by this and able to smile about it."
**
Reply
65. LostJomper, 2015
"+Phaedo13 well, I guess you never heard nowadays good rap, dont be that superficial and search for it :P"
**
66. Eguzzisme, 2015
"I remember having this cassette and rewinding it over and over again so I could learn the whole song. It took me a few day to learn to rap as fast as she did in this song. I haven't heard it in about 20 years, and I still know every word! LOL. I think I just impressed both of my teenagers!! 😂😂"
**
67. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"I love the old school round the way girl vibes! New York back then was the bomb... all the way up until the Juice days. The girl popping up behind Monie was so Funny!! "Where She At?""
**
Reply
68. Sean D. Martin, 2016
"That's Leshaun....she was the one that did the vocals to L.l.. Cool J song doing it.....she's still around she does interior design now"
**
Reply
69. John Bell, 2016
"old school?"
**
Reply
70. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"Hey, that was cool to learn. Thank You!!! ;)... I loved her in this song."
**
Reply
71. Lejuan Dean, 2016
"Yep Old School Hip Hop, and If you don't know look it up."
**
72. John Bell, 2016
+Lejuan Dean Blak ppl r the only to label their music ... old at 40s?
**
Reply
73. manfocused, 2017
"We had CRAZY fun in Brooklyn back in the day. I was 17 when this joint came out (going to Boys and Girls HS), and I remember those days well. We was even doing the "Sponge Bob"(@ 2:55) before it had a name. Lol."
**
Reply
74. Lejuan Dean, 2017
"We do label our music, you're right! Because in some form or fashion ... whatever has changed or become non existent with the times, becomes filed in another category such as Old School. To Me, this song and era is considered old school hip hop versus what garbage we have on the radio today. It was a message, a vibe, dances and styles that now make you reminisce back to that Era."
**
75. Vince West, 2016
"I love that steppin in the back. Still smooth ...!"
**
76. ATLien4Life, 2016
"She proved "Black don't crack". In her mid 40's and is gorgeous..."
-snip-
The familiar African American saying "Good Black Don't Crack" refers to the belief that Black people don't physically show their age as much as White people.
**
77. 20 MIC, 2016
"she was harder than 90% of the cats out now and then."
**
Reply
78. 20 MIC, 2016
I wish she come back yo.
**
79. Ray Asay, 2016
"I missed q 102 philly and hot 97 New York back then playing great tracks like these! Wow I wish YouTube and iPads existed back in the early 1990s so I didn't have to hope to find tracks like these by sheer luck on the radio and hope there was good reception! Haha"
**
Reply
80. ProudToBe AnAmerican, 2016
"Haha. Where were you that Hot 97 wouldn't come in good? I was in Queens. My radio was constantly recording!"
**
81. manfocused, 2017
"What's funny is this song/video came out 27 years ago and the young kids today don't look or dress any different from the young brothers in the back dancing @ 2:46 - 2:51. Youngins today are even rocking the same haircuts WE rocked back then. @ 2:55, y'all called that dance the "Sponge Bob" in '07. We was doing that dance 17 years before that and we didn't even have a name for it. Lol."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Black Teens And The Buddy Deane Show (Baltimore, Maryland televised weekly teenage dance show1957-1964)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision- title change September 19, 2024
This pancocojams post provides information about the 1957-1964 Baltimore, Maryland based rock and roll television series "The Buddy Deane Show", with particular attention to that series' segregated broadcasts, and the decision to cancel that show rather that integrate its roster of White teenage dancers.
The content of this post is presented for historical and sociocultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the video that is featured in this post.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-madison-line-dance-got-its-name-and.html for Part I of a two part series on "the Madison" line dance. That post provides information about the Madison line dance.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/al-brown-and-ray-bryant-madison-records.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases sound files of Al Brown's and Ray Bryant's "Madison" records and six videos of the Madison line dance.
****
EXCERPTS ABOUT THE BUDDY DEANE SHOW
These excerpts are given in no particular order. They are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Deane_Show
"The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, similar to Philadelphia's American Bandstand, that was created by Zvi Shoubin and aired on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964. The show was taken off the air because home station WJZ was unable to integrate black and white dancers.[1] Its host was Winston "Buddy" Deane (1924-2003), who died in Pine Bluff, Arkansas after suffering a stroke, July 16, 2003.[1] He was 78.
Winston "Buddy" Deane was a broadcaster for more than fifty years, beginning his career in Little Rock, Arkansas, then moving to the Memphis, Tennessee market before moving on to Baltimore where he worked at WITH-AM radio. He was one of the first disc jockeys in the area to regularly feature rock-and-roll. His dance party television show debuted in 1957 and was, for a time, the most popular local show in the United States. It aired for two and a half hours a day, six days a week. Hundreds of thousands of teens learned the latest dances of their day by watching Committee Members on the Buddy Deane Show.[citation needed]
Teenagers who appeared on the show every day were known as the "Committee." ...
Many top acts of the day, both black and white, appeared on the show. Acts that appeared on The Buddy Deane Show first were reportedly barred from appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. If they were on Bandstand first, however, they could still be on The Buddy Deane Show. Although WJZ-TV, owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting (now CBS), was an ABC affiliate, the station "blacked out" the network broadcast of American Bandstand in Baltimore and broadcast the Deane program instead, reportedly because Bandstand showed black teenagers dancing on the show (although black and white teenagers were not allowed to dance together until the show was moved to California in 1964). The Deane program set aside every other Friday when the show featured only black teenagers (the rest of the time, the show's participants were all white)...
References in Popular Culture
The racial integration of a take-off of the show, dubbed the The Corny Collins Show, provides the backdrop to the 1988 John Waters movie Hairspray starring Divine and Ricki Lake, the Broadway musical Hairspray starring Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur, and the 2007 movie Hairspray featuring John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky. Although he never appeared on Deane's show himself, Waters attended high school with a "Buddy Deaner" and later gave Deane a cameo in his 1988 film in which Deane played a TV reporter who tried to interview the governor who was besieged by integration protesters."...
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_(2007_film) for information about Hairspray.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/timeline-for-cultural-use-of-saying.html for information about the song "The song "Run Tell That!" from the 2002 Broadway show Hairspray.
****
Excerpt #2:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/on-hairsprays-25th-anniversary-buddydeane-committee-looks-back/2013/01/17/a45a1cc2-5c23-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html
On ‘Hairspray’s’ 25th anniversary, ‘Buddy Deane’ Committee looks back By Jessica Goldstein January 18, 2013
"The 25th anniversary of the movie “Hairspray” provides an opportunity for members of the dance group of Baltimore’s “The Buddy Deane Show” to get back together and reminisce about the TV show that the movie is based upon.
If you were a teenager in Baltimore in the late 1950s and early 1960s, you watched “The Buddy Deane Show.” When the final bell rang you sprinted home from school, saddle shoes smacking the sidewalk, knee socks sliding down your shins, until you skidded to a stop in front of your black-and-white TV and turned to WJZ Channel 13 to watch Maryland’s answer to “American Bandstand.” Chances are you wanted to be on “The Buddy Deane Show,” whose stars were ordinary teens turned local celebrities. The Committee, as they were known, could do all the hot dances of the day: the Madison, the mashed potato, the pony. Faced with pressure to integrate the show, something the station (and some Committee members’ parents) refused to allow, WJZ canceled Buddy Deane in 1964. Most people probably would’ve forgotten about “The Buddy Deane Show” ages ago had it not been immortalized by John Waters in his 1988 movie, “Hairspray.”....
[excerpts of the interview with John Waters and some members of “The Committee"]
....
Marie Shapiro (then Fischer): The first thing, they’d kind of look you over. I’m serious. I hate to say this, but they wanted attractive young people.
John Waters: Mary Lou [Barber] told me once that “a black girl could’ve gotten on the show easier than a fat girl.” . . . In [“Hairspray”], Ricki Lake’s character goes down to audition and they all make fun of her. I don’t think a fat girl ever came to audition.
....
John Waters: The most amazing thing about “The Buddy Deane” stardom was they would show up not knowing if they would fight or sign autographs. The boys were picked on, because boys didn’t dance then.
Frani Hahn: I think it was easier for the girls. When I was on, the kids at school were cool with it. It was an integrated school, and the black girls would show us all the new dances. I think the guys had a harder time at it. They were more made fun of because they didn’t fit in [and] because people would want to fight them.
The one thing everyone seems to remember about “The Buddy Deane Show” is its ending: amid calls to integrate the almost all-white program (as in “Hairspray,” there was one day a month when African Americans could dance on the show), “Buddy Deane” was canceled. The final episode aired on Jan. 4, 1964. Recollections differ as to whether it was Deane, the station or the parents of the Committee members who refused to allow the show to be integrated. Bob Mathers, who worked with Deane on three radio stations, was a close friend of was a close friend of Deane’s and is an unofficial historian of “The Buddy Deane Show.”
Bob Mathers: We’re looking at the times of 1963, and in 1963, what overrode ratings and popularity were the feelings about race in Baltimore City.
Marie Shapiro: I remember sometimes there would be African Americans at the hops, and it was frowned upon to dance with an African American if you were a Committee member.
Mary Lou Barber: Think of it: In the ’60s, if they were to ask a black guy to lead a dance with me or some other white girl — Baltimore wasn’t ready for it yet. There were riots! You’re going to put it on TV? You have to ease into it.
Bob Mathers: There were a lot of protests in Baltimore, which was a very racially segregated town. In fall of ’63, Buddy called in the Committee members and said . . . “Now, we’re talking about integrating the show. How do you feel about that?” And the kids said, “Mr. Deane, I don’t mind at all. But my mother and father won’t let me come down if you do that.” In early December, Buddy Deane met with station officials and they said, “We’ve decided to cancel the program.” And Buddy said, “So it has to do with integration?” And the station said, “That’s correct. We just don’t know what to do with the show.”
John Waters: By that point, I don’t think “The Buddy Deane Show” was on everyone’s lips anymore. Its time had passed a little.. . . I think Buddy Deane was a target for people who were fighting segregation everywhere. It was a target maybe of people who didn’t even watch the show.
Marie Shapiro: I think we all kind of knew what was coming. Because there were starting to be some demonstrations outside of the studio.
Frani Hahn: I remember being called into a meeting and [being asked] if our parents would allow us, if they integrated the show, to dance with a black person. And there was a big problem with that. [The meeting was with] the Committee members and Arlene and Buddy and the producer of the show. I remember that meeting very vividly.. . . I think the kids never had much of a problem with it; I think a lot of the parents may have.... It reminds me of the way people think now of gay marriage, how so many people are shocked about it and they don’t agree with it. . . . I think my father would definitely have not been agreeable to [integration] at that time.
Mary Lou Barber: Because I was on the Committee and I was president, [I went to] these summit meetings. Heavy-duty meetings. And they told us we were going to go off the air because of it. And we were so sad. We really didn’t want to go off the air. . . . You heard that they wanted to integrate. I don’t know if we were ready or not; who’s to say?
Wayne Hahn: Us kids, we all went to school with black people and had black friends. It was really no big deal to us. But the parents, I guess, back in the early ’60s and late ’50s, things were a lot different.
Vicki Defeo: I’ve tried to think this through, because it sounds ridiculous, but [integration] was a non-issue to us. We didn’t sit around and say, “We don’t want to be around black kids.” [But] .. . . at that time, our parents would not have gone along with integrated dancing. And it sounds dreadful. I have two mixed-race grandchildren whom I adore. And if I ever had to explain this to them, it was just, I couldn’t.
-snip-
Selected comments from this article;
doveliezer2001, 1/22/2013 10:13 PM EST
"I was not quite old enough to be on the show, but I did run home from junior high every day to watch it. I believe Mary Lou went to my high school (Woodlawn). I was shocked when I started 10th grade and saw her in the hallway. Yes, race was a huge issue in Maryland in the early '60s. The state was as segregated as anyplace in the South. I tell kids today that I never saw an African-American in a restaurant until I was 15. Of course they think I'm making it up. I had to explain to friends in LA, where I lived in 1988, that Waters' movie was more documentary than fantasy. I remember the Royalettes winning a contest to record a song. Where are they now?"
**
Sonny Goldreich, 1/19/2013 5:52 PM EST
"More than a little creepy that with all the work that went into this story that it included no comment from any of the black kids who danced twice a month."
**
Reply
Marie Cooke Shapiro, 1/26/2013 10:04 AM EST
"Unfortunately there was no black "committee" ,i.e. regulars, who appeared every time the black show was on. I wish there had been a call out for people who appeared on the show on those days. There's just no way to contact them b/c they were all "guests". Maybe someone could do a follow up story, but I don't know how you would find these people. Also, remember, we are all now in our 60's and 70's. Many committee members have passed and I'm sure many of the black kids who were on the show have passed as well."
-snip-
The discussion thread for the YouTube video of The Buddy Deane Show that is embedded below includes comments from a Black woman who indicates that she appeared on that show. Those comments are also found below.
Notice that that television station as well as some of the parents of the White teenagers featured on The Buddy Deane Show, if not Buddy Deane himself, had no problem with accepting Black people as entertainers including having Black artists perform on the show, and doing Black originated dances to Black originated music. But they could not accept Black people as equals and would rather cancel a popular (and probably financially solvent if not profitable) television series rather than integrate their teenage dancers. smh.
But that decision to cancel that television series rather than permit Black teenagers to dance (often to Black originated dances) to (often Black music) sent the message to Black people that not only weren't we equal to White people but that there was something about us that was so bad (meaning not good) that to even be around us was harmful to White people. Think about how that action and that kind of messaging has resulted in the racial problems in Baltimore, Maryland in 2015 and now.
****
Excerpt #3:
From http://theurbandaily.com/2011/06/01/black-music-moment-96-short-lived-integration-of-the-buddy-deane-show/
BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #96: Short-Lived Integration Of The Buddy Deane Show, Jun 1, 2011 By TheUrbanDaily Staff
"Where: 800 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
When: Summer 1963
What: The Buddy Deane Show was a teen rock-and-roll dance television show that aired on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964. The Deane program was a segregated show: white and Black teenagers danced on separate broadcasts. But an intrepid group of local and national civil right activists staged a “dance in” where they crashed one of the “white only days” and integrated the show. Deane and the station were purported to support integration, but cancelled the show rather than risk inflaming white supremacists and segregationists in the local area. The incident was fictionalized for the movie and play, “Hairspray.”
In celebration of Black Music Month, TheUrbanDaily’s “It’s All Black Music” presents 100 Rewarding Black Music Moments, sponsored by Southwest Airlines.
Each Black Music Moment is associated with an actual place that you can visit."
****
FEATURED VIDEO WITH SELECTED COMMENTS
Dancin' the Madison on "The Buddy Deane Show"
MarylandPublicTV, Uploaded on Apr 30, 2008
Clip from Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The Buddy Deane Scrapbook
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
[Additional comments from this discussion thread added to this post on March 5, 2016]
2010
yankeerebel65
"This is the ONLY surviving videotape or kinescope clip of Buddy's show. It seems that only about 8 minutes of 8mm footage survived the years also. It was shot in late 57 or early 58."
**
Souls Are For Squares
"What's interesting is that a lot of people (including myself at first) thought that the musical "Hairspray" was based off of American Band Stand when actually it is based off of this show right here. This is where the idea of the Corny Collins Show from "Hairspray" origianlly came from."
**
f8andbethere, 2010
Well, it's easy to see why they didn't have any Black kids on this particular show. They'd have all fallen down laughing at this dance!
-snip-
I believe this commenter is referring to how these White teens performed this dance rather than the dance itself.
**
2012
tieyourshoes51
"I watched this show EVERY DAY, but the best day was "Negro Day," since they weren't allowed on the show with the white kids."
**
John Reese
"+jous1rufn Every Friday was when the black teens were on the buddy dean show, it was all black kid only."
-snip-
"jousrufn" may have been another screen name for tieyourshoes51.
**
Richard Smith
"+jous1rufn THE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH WAS NEGRO DAY"
-snip-
The Wikipedia article excerpted earlier about "The Buddy Deane Show" gives this quote about "Negro Day":
"The Deane program set aside every other Friday when the show featured only black teenagers (the rest of the time, the show's participants were all white)."
-end of quote-
It's interesting how different people remember when those broadcasts occurred.
**
pat brun, December 2015
"Does anyone know where the footage is of the African American teens he had on his show?"
**
aboyer441, December 2015
"Enjoying the comments! I can clear some things up as I was on the Committee in the late 50's and early 60's. There was a "Committee" of kids who came to the show six days a week after passing several "tests" to qualify. Other teens could write in for tickets to come on as a Guest. The reason those two girl guests look petrified -- is because they were! Guests were encouraged to participate and those two look as if they hoped the floor would open up and they could disappear back to their own living rooms to watch the show on their black and white TV. Most of the guests looked and acted like a deer in the headlights!
Another comment mentioned how you really had to concentrate on those Madison steps! TRUE! Here you are -- a teenager -- and on television with your school mates, relatives and neighbors watching! You KNOW how hard it is to be un-cool at that age! One mis-step and there goes your ego! Not mentioning any names (he knows who he is) -- but one of the dancers -- because he did screw up that step so badly, is asked to start the Madison at every dance we go to now. (Yes - we still get together -- and we still dance on a regular basis. There is a large group of us who are great old friends -- Emphasis on "Old" ... but still legends in our own minds. ;)
Have to say a word here about Buddy Deane. He WAS strict on the show. The kids were also self disciplined by the elected teenage board. There was a two page list of rules -- made up by the kids themselves -- to which you had to comply or get kicked off the show. But, you have to consider this was a different era and the slightest bit of misconduct in those days would have brought the hammer down on Buddy's head from the media and/or the parents. (Remember when parents had control of their teenagers????)
In later years, Buddy would come to town from Arkansas to do 50's record hops and by that time had become friends with his "all grown up kids". We had many enjoyable years listening to his stories at our houses. He was a great guy and a wonderful family man. He also helped a lot of his "kids" launch their own successful careers in the music business.
Hope this gives everyone a better insight.
"DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS LOOKING!" -- and now, we're old enough, we don't care if anyone is looking or not. (And, yes - we still screw up The Madison!!! But, now we just laugh!"
**
Reply
pat brun, January 2016
"+aboyer441 Hi there. You sound like an individual from the Committee who could address the African American issue. I was on the show several times, and would love to see myself. Do you know what happened to the footage of the African American segments of the show? I've called around several places with no success. Thanks."
**
pat brun
"I was on the show several times as an African American teen."
**
Reply
Saivon Desper
"+pat brun ............ If you don't mind me asking. How old are you?"
**
Reply
pat brun
"I'm 67.
**
Reply
imusfan48
"+pat brun That is soooo neat, I am 67 too, love this dance/song,,,do you ever see yourself in these videos?"
**
Reply
pat brun
"+imusfan48 No because there is no African American footage available."
**
Reply
imusfan48
"+pat brun Like 'Black People' didn't exist! What a joke, a lot of people today, don't realize that segregation, Jim Crow Laws, etc. existed not that long ago. I remember going down to Nashville to see the 'Grand Ole Oprey' with my parents (1957?) and seeing separate drinking fountains and RR's. I was from Ohio, and about 8 or 9, and even at that age, knew that it wasn't right?"
**
pat brun
"It's so refreshing to hear an honest white person speak the truth on these issues. I heard there was a demonstration at the studio concerning the separation of the races on the show. It's been more than 50 years, and I'm just hearing about this. That may have been good cause to dispose of footage. Who knows? I enjoyed the show and would have loved to see myself dancing all those many years ago. The grands would get a kick out of it"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Latest revision- title change September 19, 2024
This pancocojams post provides information about the 1957-1964 Baltimore, Maryland based rock and roll television series "The Buddy Deane Show", with particular attention to that series' segregated broadcasts, and the decision to cancel that show rather that integrate its roster of White teenage dancers.
The content of this post is presented for historical and sociocultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the video that is featured in this post.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-madison-line-dance-got-its-name-and.html for Part I of a two part series on "the Madison" line dance. That post provides information about the Madison line dance.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/al-brown-and-ray-bryant-madison-records.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases sound files of Al Brown's and Ray Bryant's "Madison" records and six videos of the Madison line dance.
****
EXCERPTS ABOUT THE BUDDY DEANE SHOW
These excerpts are given in no particular order. They are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Deane_Show
"The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, similar to Philadelphia's American Bandstand, that was created by Zvi Shoubin and aired on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964. The show was taken off the air because home station WJZ was unable to integrate black and white dancers.[1] Its host was Winston "Buddy" Deane (1924-2003), who died in Pine Bluff, Arkansas after suffering a stroke, July 16, 2003.[1] He was 78.
Winston "Buddy" Deane was a broadcaster for more than fifty years, beginning his career in Little Rock, Arkansas, then moving to the Memphis, Tennessee market before moving on to Baltimore where he worked at WITH-AM radio. He was one of the first disc jockeys in the area to regularly feature rock-and-roll. His dance party television show debuted in 1957 and was, for a time, the most popular local show in the United States. It aired for two and a half hours a day, six days a week. Hundreds of thousands of teens learned the latest dances of their day by watching Committee Members on the Buddy Deane Show.[citation needed]
Teenagers who appeared on the show every day were known as the "Committee." ...
Many top acts of the day, both black and white, appeared on the show. Acts that appeared on The Buddy Deane Show first were reportedly barred from appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. If they were on Bandstand first, however, they could still be on The Buddy Deane Show. Although WJZ-TV, owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting (now CBS), was an ABC affiliate, the station "blacked out" the network broadcast of American Bandstand in Baltimore and broadcast the Deane program instead, reportedly because Bandstand showed black teenagers dancing on the show (although black and white teenagers were not allowed to dance together until the show was moved to California in 1964). The Deane program set aside every other Friday when the show featured only black teenagers (the rest of the time, the show's participants were all white)...
References in Popular Culture
The racial integration of a take-off of the show, dubbed the The Corny Collins Show, provides the backdrop to the 1988 John Waters movie Hairspray starring Divine and Ricki Lake, the Broadway musical Hairspray starring Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur, and the 2007 movie Hairspray featuring John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky. Although he never appeared on Deane's show himself, Waters attended high school with a "Buddy Deaner" and later gave Deane a cameo in his 1988 film in which Deane played a TV reporter who tried to interview the governor who was besieged by integration protesters."...
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_(2007_film) for information about Hairspray.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/timeline-for-cultural-use-of-saying.html for information about the song "The song "Run Tell That!" from the 2002 Broadway show Hairspray.
****
Excerpt #2:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/on-hairsprays-25th-anniversary-buddydeane-committee-looks-back/2013/01/17/a45a1cc2-5c23-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html
On ‘Hairspray’s’ 25th anniversary, ‘Buddy Deane’ Committee looks back By Jessica Goldstein January 18, 2013
"The 25th anniversary of the movie “Hairspray” provides an opportunity for members of the dance group of Baltimore’s “The Buddy Deane Show” to get back together and reminisce about the TV show that the movie is based upon.
If you were a teenager in Baltimore in the late 1950s and early 1960s, you watched “The Buddy Deane Show.” When the final bell rang you sprinted home from school, saddle shoes smacking the sidewalk, knee socks sliding down your shins, until you skidded to a stop in front of your black-and-white TV and turned to WJZ Channel 13 to watch Maryland’s answer to “American Bandstand.” Chances are you wanted to be on “The Buddy Deane Show,” whose stars were ordinary teens turned local celebrities. The Committee, as they were known, could do all the hot dances of the day: the Madison, the mashed potato, the pony. Faced with pressure to integrate the show, something the station (and some Committee members’ parents) refused to allow, WJZ canceled Buddy Deane in 1964. Most people probably would’ve forgotten about “The Buddy Deane Show” ages ago had it not been immortalized by John Waters in his 1988 movie, “Hairspray.”....
[excerpts of the interview with John Waters and some members of “The Committee"]
....
Marie Shapiro (then Fischer): The first thing, they’d kind of look you over. I’m serious. I hate to say this, but they wanted attractive young people.
John Waters: Mary Lou [Barber] told me once that “a black girl could’ve gotten on the show easier than a fat girl.” . . . In [“Hairspray”], Ricki Lake’s character goes down to audition and they all make fun of her. I don’t think a fat girl ever came to audition.
....
John Waters: The most amazing thing about “The Buddy Deane” stardom was they would show up not knowing if they would fight or sign autographs. The boys were picked on, because boys didn’t dance then.
Frani Hahn: I think it was easier for the girls. When I was on, the kids at school were cool with it. It was an integrated school, and the black girls would show us all the new dances. I think the guys had a harder time at it. They were more made fun of because they didn’t fit in [and] because people would want to fight them.
The one thing everyone seems to remember about “The Buddy Deane Show” is its ending: amid calls to integrate the almost all-white program (as in “Hairspray,” there was one day a month when African Americans could dance on the show), “Buddy Deane” was canceled. The final episode aired on Jan. 4, 1964. Recollections differ as to whether it was Deane, the station or the parents of the Committee members who refused to allow the show to be integrated. Bob Mathers, who worked with Deane on three radio stations, was a close friend of was a close friend of Deane’s and is an unofficial historian of “The Buddy Deane Show.”
Bob Mathers: We’re looking at the times of 1963, and in 1963, what overrode ratings and popularity were the feelings about race in Baltimore City.
Marie Shapiro: I remember sometimes there would be African Americans at the hops, and it was frowned upon to dance with an African American if you were a Committee member.
Mary Lou Barber: Think of it: In the ’60s, if they were to ask a black guy to lead a dance with me or some other white girl — Baltimore wasn’t ready for it yet. There were riots! You’re going to put it on TV? You have to ease into it.
Bob Mathers: There were a lot of protests in Baltimore, which was a very racially segregated town. In fall of ’63, Buddy called in the Committee members and said . . . “Now, we’re talking about integrating the show. How do you feel about that?” And the kids said, “Mr. Deane, I don’t mind at all. But my mother and father won’t let me come down if you do that.” In early December, Buddy Deane met with station officials and they said, “We’ve decided to cancel the program.” And Buddy said, “So it has to do with integration?” And the station said, “That’s correct. We just don’t know what to do with the show.”
John Waters: By that point, I don’t think “The Buddy Deane Show” was on everyone’s lips anymore. Its time had passed a little.. . . I think Buddy Deane was a target for people who were fighting segregation everywhere. It was a target maybe of people who didn’t even watch the show.
Marie Shapiro: I think we all kind of knew what was coming. Because there were starting to be some demonstrations outside of the studio.
Frani Hahn: I remember being called into a meeting and [being asked] if our parents would allow us, if they integrated the show, to dance with a black person. And there was a big problem with that. [The meeting was with] the Committee members and Arlene and Buddy and the producer of the show. I remember that meeting very vividly.. . . I think the kids never had much of a problem with it; I think a lot of the parents may have.... It reminds me of the way people think now of gay marriage, how so many people are shocked about it and they don’t agree with it. . . . I think my father would definitely have not been agreeable to [integration] at that time.
Mary Lou Barber: Because I was on the Committee and I was president, [I went to] these summit meetings. Heavy-duty meetings. And they told us we were going to go off the air because of it. And we were so sad. We really didn’t want to go off the air. . . . You heard that they wanted to integrate. I don’t know if we were ready or not; who’s to say?
Wayne Hahn: Us kids, we all went to school with black people and had black friends. It was really no big deal to us. But the parents, I guess, back in the early ’60s and late ’50s, things were a lot different.
Vicki Defeo: I’ve tried to think this through, because it sounds ridiculous, but [integration] was a non-issue to us. We didn’t sit around and say, “We don’t want to be around black kids.” [But] .. . . at that time, our parents would not have gone along with integrated dancing. And it sounds dreadful. I have two mixed-race grandchildren whom I adore. And if I ever had to explain this to them, it was just, I couldn’t.
-snip-
Selected comments from this article;
doveliezer2001, 1/22/2013 10:13 PM EST
"I was not quite old enough to be on the show, but I did run home from junior high every day to watch it. I believe Mary Lou went to my high school (Woodlawn). I was shocked when I started 10th grade and saw her in the hallway. Yes, race was a huge issue in Maryland in the early '60s. The state was as segregated as anyplace in the South. I tell kids today that I never saw an African-American in a restaurant until I was 15. Of course they think I'm making it up. I had to explain to friends in LA, where I lived in 1988, that Waters' movie was more documentary than fantasy. I remember the Royalettes winning a contest to record a song. Where are they now?"
**
Sonny Goldreich, 1/19/2013 5:52 PM EST
"More than a little creepy that with all the work that went into this story that it included no comment from any of the black kids who danced twice a month."
**
Reply
Marie Cooke Shapiro, 1/26/2013 10:04 AM EST
"Unfortunately there was no black "committee" ,i.e. regulars, who appeared every time the black show was on. I wish there had been a call out for people who appeared on the show on those days. There's just no way to contact them b/c they were all "guests". Maybe someone could do a follow up story, but I don't know how you would find these people. Also, remember, we are all now in our 60's and 70's. Many committee members have passed and I'm sure many of the black kids who were on the show have passed as well."
-snip-
The discussion thread for the YouTube video of The Buddy Deane Show that is embedded below includes comments from a Black woman who indicates that she appeared on that show. Those comments are also found below.
Notice that that television station as well as some of the parents of the White teenagers featured on The Buddy Deane Show, if not Buddy Deane himself, had no problem with accepting Black people as entertainers including having Black artists perform on the show, and doing Black originated dances to Black originated music. But they could not accept Black people as equals and would rather cancel a popular (and probably financially solvent if not profitable) television series rather than integrate their teenage dancers. smh.
But that decision to cancel that television series rather than permit Black teenagers to dance (often to Black originated dances) to (often Black music) sent the message to Black people that not only weren't we equal to White people but that there was something about us that was so bad (meaning not good) that to even be around us was harmful to White people. Think about how that action and that kind of messaging has resulted in the racial problems in Baltimore, Maryland in 2015 and now.
****
Excerpt #3:
From http://theurbandaily.com/2011/06/01/black-music-moment-96-short-lived-integration-of-the-buddy-deane-show/
BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #96: Short-Lived Integration Of The Buddy Deane Show, Jun 1, 2011 By TheUrbanDaily Staff
"Where: 800 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
When: Summer 1963
What: The Buddy Deane Show was a teen rock-and-roll dance television show that aired on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964. The Deane program was a segregated show: white and Black teenagers danced on separate broadcasts. But an intrepid group of local and national civil right activists staged a “dance in” where they crashed one of the “white only days” and integrated the show. Deane and the station were purported to support integration, but cancelled the show rather than risk inflaming white supremacists and segregationists in the local area. The incident was fictionalized for the movie and play, “Hairspray.”
In celebration of Black Music Month, TheUrbanDaily’s “It’s All Black Music” presents 100 Rewarding Black Music Moments, sponsored by Southwest Airlines.
Each Black Music Moment is associated with an actual place that you can visit."
****
FEATURED VIDEO WITH SELECTED COMMENTS
Dancin' the Madison on "The Buddy Deane Show"
MarylandPublicTV, Uploaded on Apr 30, 2008
Clip from Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The Buddy Deane Scrapbook
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
[Additional comments from this discussion thread added to this post on March 5, 2016]
2010
yankeerebel65
"This is the ONLY surviving videotape or kinescope clip of Buddy's show. It seems that only about 8 minutes of 8mm footage survived the years also. It was shot in late 57 or early 58."
**
Souls Are For Squares
"What's interesting is that a lot of people (including myself at first) thought that the musical "Hairspray" was based off of American Band Stand when actually it is based off of this show right here. This is where the idea of the Corny Collins Show from "Hairspray" origianlly came from."
**
f8andbethere, 2010
Well, it's easy to see why they didn't have any Black kids on this particular show. They'd have all fallen down laughing at this dance!
-snip-
I believe this commenter is referring to how these White teens performed this dance rather than the dance itself.
**
2012
tieyourshoes51
"I watched this show EVERY DAY, but the best day was "Negro Day," since they weren't allowed on the show with the white kids."
**
John Reese
"+jous1rufn Every Friday was when the black teens were on the buddy dean show, it was all black kid only."
-snip-
"jousrufn" may have been another screen name for tieyourshoes51.
**
Richard Smith
"+jous1rufn THE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH WAS NEGRO DAY"
-snip-
The Wikipedia article excerpted earlier about "The Buddy Deane Show" gives this quote about "Negro Day":
"The Deane program set aside every other Friday when the show featured only black teenagers (the rest of the time, the show's participants were all white)."
-end of quote-
It's interesting how different people remember when those broadcasts occurred.
**
pat brun, December 2015
"Does anyone know where the footage is of the African American teens he had on his show?"
**
aboyer441, December 2015
"Enjoying the comments! I can clear some things up as I was on the Committee in the late 50's and early 60's. There was a "Committee" of kids who came to the show six days a week after passing several "tests" to qualify. Other teens could write in for tickets to come on as a Guest. The reason those two girl guests look petrified -- is because they were! Guests were encouraged to participate and those two look as if they hoped the floor would open up and they could disappear back to their own living rooms to watch the show on their black and white TV. Most of the guests looked and acted like a deer in the headlights!
Another comment mentioned how you really had to concentrate on those Madison steps! TRUE! Here you are -- a teenager -- and on television with your school mates, relatives and neighbors watching! You KNOW how hard it is to be un-cool at that age! One mis-step and there goes your ego! Not mentioning any names (he knows who he is) -- but one of the dancers -- because he did screw up that step so badly, is asked to start the Madison at every dance we go to now. (Yes - we still get together -- and we still dance on a regular basis. There is a large group of us who are great old friends -- Emphasis on "Old" ... but still legends in our own minds. ;)
Have to say a word here about Buddy Deane. He WAS strict on the show. The kids were also self disciplined by the elected teenage board. There was a two page list of rules -- made up by the kids themselves -- to which you had to comply or get kicked off the show. But, you have to consider this was a different era and the slightest bit of misconduct in those days would have brought the hammer down on Buddy's head from the media and/or the parents. (Remember when parents had control of their teenagers????)
In later years, Buddy would come to town from Arkansas to do 50's record hops and by that time had become friends with his "all grown up kids". We had many enjoyable years listening to his stories at our houses. He was a great guy and a wonderful family man. He also helped a lot of his "kids" launch their own successful careers in the music business.
Hope this gives everyone a better insight.
"DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS LOOKING!" -- and now, we're old enough, we don't care if anyone is looking or not. (And, yes - we still screw up The Madison!!! But, now we just laugh!"
**
Reply
pat brun, January 2016
"+aboyer441 Hi there. You sound like an individual from the Committee who could address the African American issue. I was on the show several times, and would love to see myself. Do you know what happened to the footage of the African American segments of the show? I've called around several places with no success. Thanks."
**
pat brun
"I was on the show several times as an African American teen."
**
Reply
Saivon Desper
"+pat brun ............ If you don't mind me asking. How old are you?"
**
Reply
pat brun
"I'm 67.
**
Reply
imusfan48
"+pat brun That is soooo neat, I am 67 too, love this dance/song,,,do you ever see yourself in these videos?"
**
Reply
pat brun
"+imusfan48 No because there is no African American footage available."
**
Reply
imusfan48
"+pat brun Like 'Black People' didn't exist! What a joke, a lot of people today, don't realize that segregation, Jim Crow Laws, etc. existed not that long ago. I remember going down to Nashville to see the 'Grand Ole Oprey' with my parents (1957?) and seeing separate drinking fountains and RR's. I was from Ohio, and about 8 or 9, and even at that age, knew that it wasn't right?"
**
pat brun
"It's so refreshing to hear an honest white person speak the truth on these issues. I heard there was a demonstration at the studio concerning the separation of the races on the show. It's been more than 50 years, and I'm just hearing about this. That may have been good cause to dispose of footage. Who knows? I enjoyed the show and would have loved to see myself dancing all those many years ago. The grands would get a kick out of it"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
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'".
****
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.
****
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" )
****
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!!"
**
carlabody, 2010
"Love it! But the footwork looks like Stepping, Not Bop. Am I wrong?"
**
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!"
**
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.
****
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!"
**
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"
**
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...."
**
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."
**
803DONYELLE, 2013
"It's about showing your skills!!!! It has nothing to do with your sexuallity.......really!!! If you dance you would understand."
**
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."
**
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
**
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.
**
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!!
**
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."
**
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!''"
**
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
**
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 !"
**
coilykinks, 2015
"It's just weird to watch if you have never seen it before."
**
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 ."
**
daressia, 2015
"thank you for clarifiyng becaue i could not understand why i keep seeing men step together.."
**
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 ."
****
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.
****
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””.
**
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.
****
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!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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".
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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").
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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".
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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].
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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]
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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.
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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.."
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"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."
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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...."
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"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!
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Selected comments from that video:
“Around 1970-1971 it was called “bop””.
**
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]”.
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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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