The Custom That Patti Labelle, Fantasia, LaSun Pace And Some Other African American Female Singers Have Of Kicking Off Their Shoes While SANGING

LaShun Pace - I Know I've Been Changed

 malacomg,  May 23, 2014

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about YouTube comments from African Americans about a video that was published on YouTube in 2014 of Lashun Pace sanging the Gospel song "I Know I've Been Changed".

In addition to that YouTube video, this post presents some comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread about Lashun Pace and the custom that she, Patti Labelle, Fantasia and some other African American female vocalists' (especially Gospel singers) have of stepping out of their shoes when they are sanging.

Addendum #1 of this post presents my editor's comment from the closely related 2018 pancocojams post "Patti LaBelle's & Fantasia's Custom Of Kicking Off Their Shoes or Taking Off Their Shoes During Their Performances (with two videos)" https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/patti-labelles-fantasias-custom-of.html

Addendum #2 of this post presents an AI Overview about Patti Labelle and Fantasia removing their shoes when they sing certain songs. 

****
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/04/lashun-pace-sanging-gospel-song-i-know.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents some information about Lashun Pace and presents some comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread that include affirming responses about Lashun Pace sanging that Gospel song.

A definition of the word "affirm" in the phrase "affirming comments" and a definition of "sanging" are included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lashun Pace for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to the film maker for this clip and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. Thanks also to Patti Labelle and Fantasia for their musical legacies. 

****
DEFINITION OF "SANGING"
"Sanging" is a present tense English language verb that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well"

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF THIS SHOWCASE YOUTUBE ABOUT LASHUN PACE KICKING OFF HER SHOES WHILE SINGING THE GOSPEL SONG "I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED 

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.

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

2016

1. @empressmystique260
"You know it gets serious when the shoes come off. She went from singing to ministering in an instant. Anointed!!"

**
2. @bakaribrown9642
''Lordt you know when the kitten heels come off. You gone be laid over in the spirit"
-snip-
Pancocojams edito's note: "Kitten heels" is a reference for women's shoes with a very small heel.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitten_heel ]

**
3. @tiarrezachery
"lolllll"

**
Reply
4. @iampeaches1924, 2017
"bakari brown lol lord Jesus I cracked up at kitten heels 😂😂"

**
Reply
5. @BellaPenns,2018
"A year later, and we are still falling out at this comment! LOL!

****
2017

6. @brickcitychick5404
"U know this Sista is sangin from the heart...and straight out of her church shoes! 😄😄 SAAANG!!!"

**
Reply
7. @joliegarrett, 2019
"Now THAT'S SANGIN'!!! HALLELUJAH!!!"

****
2018

8. @11sophiemarie
"In church, or any gospel event. When a big woman, in sequins or rhinestones, kicks off her shoes: oh the Holy Spirit is coming in and it's going to get real.

**
Reply
9. @tashawnayoung3782
"Yes when them shoes come off its over

**
Reply
10. @benjaminjeanes998
"Step in that water sister.. Amen"

**
Reply
11. @cutetimesinfinity3368
"Yeah. You already know."

**
Reply
12. "lilsparrow7845, 2018
"Lol....yup..".

**
Reply
13. @atlsongbyrd6084, 2019
"Right! I saw Fantasia take her shoes off at Aretha Franklin's funeral and I knew it was about to be on and poppin lol!"

**
Reply
14. @abigailvincent4909,2020
"Especially the kitten heels"

**
Reply
15. @bridgettstrawbridge, 2020
"☝🏽🙏🏽🙌🏽✨✨✨ For Show 😅😅😅 GLORY TO "GOD"!!!"

****
2019

****
2020

@Gr8LilLady
16. "Daniel Hawkins, when they kick off dem shoes OH! It's gone down! If you don't believe Sista La Shaun Pace, then you Betta ask Sista Patti Labelle 🤣😳😍"

**
@czahnie
17. "Those shoes came off and she stuck her whole foot in that song !"

**
Reply
18. @PeaceNHairGrease
"👠🥿👡👢💪🏽🗣🗣🗣it’s time to sang"

****
2021

****
2022

****
2023

****
2024

19. @felicialockett6606
"SAAAAAAAAANG GIRL!!!!!!!!!  This never gets old...."

**
20. @mamared41
"You already know its going down when the shoes come off"

**
21. @DivaStylesbyTrish
"Good Lord she sings this song!"

**
Reply
22. @sonwabosiyengele106
"When she took her shoes off and sang "I step in the water" 🙏❤️"

****
2025

****
2026

23. @kentglover1953
"It was over when she took off her shoes and stepped in the water!🙏🏽"

**
24. @hattiethompson8540
"once them shoes come off...you will be delivered ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

****
ADDENDUM #1- PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
From https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/patti-labelles-fantasias-custom-of.html "Patti LaBelle's & Fantasia's Custom Of Kicking Off Their Shoes or Taking Off Their Shoes During Their Performances (with two videos), September 2, 2018

Here are the links and titles for these YouTube videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGmz0LIu9j0 "Fantasia Performs Musical Tribute (Aretha Franklin Memorial)", published by Alan Kahn, Aug 31, 2018

**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVhUPpChcSI "Patti Labelle - Isn't it a shame" ; golden0eye, Mar 10, 2007

Some commenters in these two videos' discussion threads suggest that taking off her shoes has become an expected feature of Patti LaBelle's "over the top" performances which also used to include rolling on the stage while continuing to sing.

A number of commenters write that Fantasia takes off her shoes because she is modeling her performance style after Patti LaBelle.

A few commenters wrote that the reason why these singers take off their shoes is to get comfortable.

At least one commenter wrote that Fantasia takes off her shoes because she's a country gal (from High Point, North Carolina). But, the "country gal" theory doesn't fit Patti LaBelle who is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

However, many commenters in these two featured discussion threads believe that Patti LaBelle and Fantasia remove their shoes because it is a Pentecostal church custom to do so. If I correctly understand what was written, those commenters indicated that people who take off their shoes are either feeling the Holy Spirit or they are getting ready to feel the Spirit, i.e. getting ready to "shout", "getting happy”, “going in”.

One interpretation of those comments* could be that when women feel like they are getting ready to "go in" i.e. "get happy", they take off their high heel shoes** so that they can do the Holy dance better (without less restraints). An explanation for this precaution is that when people are feeling the Spirit, in the "heat of that moment", they might hurt themselves or hurt someone else if their shoes go flying because they have "danced out of their shoes" (because they are dancing so energetically). To prevent this from occurring, a person who feels the Spirit coming on might prevent these mishaps by taking off their shoes.
-snip-
*As a Baptist from the Northern region of the United States, I have a few recollections of (mostly) women being supported by church nurses because they felt the Spirit. However, I've seen very few people (in my home church or any other Baptist of Methodist churches that I've attended) doing a holy dance, with or without their shoes on.

**The comments in those discussion threads about taking off your shoes when you are about to feel the Spirit appear to refer only to women (who presumably are wearing high heels, since that is almost always the shoe fashion for church or other formal occasions

****
ADDENDUM #2- AI OVERVIEW
[retrieved on April 8, 2026]

"Patti LaBelle famously kicks off her shoes during live performances as an authentic, often spontaneous, showmanship move born from practical necessity. She has explained that the habit began when her feet (specifically a corn) hurt, forcing her to shed heels to perform comfortably, and it evolved into an iconic sign of passion and a way to connect with the audience.

Patti LaBelle’s Shoe Kick:

Origin: The 80-year-old diva confessed on the Sherri show that the habit started because her corn was hurting.

Significance: It serves as a sign of her "passing the shoe" or offering a completely uninhibited performance, often requested back at the end of the show.

Viral Moments: Many videos on YouTube and Facebook show her removing her shoes, sometimes throwing them, and sometimes having artists like Prince in the audience witness it.

Recent Events: She continued this tradition in 2023, performing barefoot while singing "If Only You Knew".

Fantasia's Performance Style:

Like LaBelle, Fantasia is known for extremely passionate, emotive, and visceral performances that often involve high-energy movements.

While Patti is specifically known for "kicking off" shoes, performers like Fantasia often remove shoes or perform barefoot to fully embody the raw emotion of a song, creating a similar "no-shoes" experience of raw, authentic performance.

Both artists use this technique to signify that they are letting go of inhibition, focusing entirely on delivering a raw, vocal performance."
-snip-
Notice that this AI Overview doesn't mention that the singers remove their shoes when they sing certain songs-especially Gospel songs-because they are feeling the Holy Spirit. As a result I think that this write-up is incomplete if not inaccurate.  

****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

LaShun Pace SANGING The Gospel Song "I Know I Been Changed" (2014 YouTube Video & Examples Of Affirming Responses From That Video's Discussion Thread)

 

LaShun Pace - I Know I've Been Changed

 malacomg,  May 23, 2014
-snip-
Statistics for this YouTube video (as of April 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM EDT)
total # of views - 11,711,825 total # of comments -6,534

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about Gospel singer Lashun Pace sanging "I Know I've Been Changed."

This post presents some information about Lashun Pace and presents some comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread about that vocalist's rendition of that song, with a focus on comments that document the use of certain  African American Vernacular English affirming responses.

A definition of the word "affirm" in the phrase "affirming comments" and a definition of "sanging" are included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/patti-labelles-fantasias-custom-of.html for Part II of this pancocojams post. That post presents some comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread about Lashun Pace and the custom that she, Patti Labelle, Fantasia and some other African American female vocalists' (especially Gospel singers) have of stepping out of their shoes when they are sanging.

The content of this post is presented for religious, linguistic, and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lashun Pace for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to the film maker for this clip and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.  

****
INFORMATION ABOUT LASHUN PACE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaShun_Pace
"Tarrian LaShun Pace (September 6, 1961 – March 21, 2022),[1] professionally known as LaShun Pace and sometimes credited as LaShun Pace-Rhodes or Shun Pace-Rhodes, was an American gospel singer, songwriter and evangelist. Pace was also a Stellar Award winner.

[...] 

Career

Pace began singing professionally during her teen years in the mid-1970s, performing solo and later alongside her sisters in the group The Anointed Pace Sisters, which formed in the late 1980s. Pace's singing and ministering skills were honed while she was on tour with the Rev. Gene Martin and the Action Revival Team, and with The Edwin Hawkins Singers from 1986 until her death.

In 1988 she recorded In the House of the Lord with Dr. Jonathan Greer and the Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ Choirs for Savoy Records. The label signed Pace as a solo artist soon afterwards. In 1990, she released her debut album He Lives, which reached the number two spot on the Billboard gospel charts and featured her signature song "I Know I've Been Changed". The follow-up song Shekinah Glory, appeared in 1993. Three years later, Pace returned with Wealthy Place, which included the song "Act Like You Know" featuring Karen Clark Sheard."...

****
DEFINITION OF THE WORD "AFFIRM" IN THE PHRASE "AFFIRMING COMMENTS"
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirm

"affirm"
1
a:. to validate, confirm

b : to state positively

[...]

3.
: to show or express a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important idea)"
-snip-
Two examples of  "affirming" comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread are 'Amen", "Facts"*, and "Yes" and its African American Vernacular English form Yass"**. 

* "Facts" is a shortened form of the affirming statement "That's a fact".

**Adding one or more letter "s" to the word "Yes" ("Yas") increases the intensity of that word.

****
DEFINITION OF "SANGING"
"Sanging" is a present tense English language verb that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well"

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF THIS SHOWCASE YOUTUBE 

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.

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

2014

1.@KarenSmith-mw6mz
"Now you know this is music without the music......!!!!!! Lawd....this lady made me feel the love of GOD"

**
Reply
2. @aneshiaaugustine, 2015
"yes lawd i got chills!! AMEN"

**
Reply
3. @wwmerch, 2017
"Wow, i hadn't even noticed there were no instruments! !! It sounded that good!!"

**
4. @dsb188
"She sang the mess out of that song..Yes Lord"

**
Reply
5. @breannaburpo8536, 2016
"yasss💜🤗"

**
Reply
6. @ahmawanahj9862, 2021
"Y e s ! 😌✨💞💞"

**
2015


****
2016

7. @princessdonn1912
"yassss!!!!!  this song is very POWERFUL AND SHE CAN SANG!!

**
8. @simontavoi3080
"Yaaaasssss Queeennnnn ! 🙏"

**
0. @zackhare7988
"never seen nobody sing this way good lord"

**
Reply
10. @Rick3795, 2018
"Zack Hare true"

**
11.@jermainebruce68
"Come thur Baptist!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽"

**
Reply
12.@MylesJonesTheSingerr, 2017
"Lashun is COGIC"

**
Reply
13.@im2krunk, 2017
"MylesJonesTheSinger

I believe he is referring to the song itself and not the singer. A lot of those old Black Southern Baptist songs have that slowwwwwww drag hand clap because they didn't allow instruments in their churches for a long time due to slavery."

**
Reply
14. @red7iris
"Robert Nance imma have to disagree I grew up in an old southern baptist church and this was the type of singing I heard all the time . My experience in a Pentecostal church was quite the opposite "

**
15.@smokeybee1636
"songs that get you saved"

**
Reply
16. @NSKEIKI
"Amen🙏i kid u not it saved me!!"

**
Reply
17. @lionofjudahlambofgod9132
" @NSKEIKI  Praise God Almighty."

****
2017

18.@chocolatethundercherry143
"When this song comes on you have no choice but to get your praise on"

**
19. @jovancole5078
"kinda makes you tear up because it feels  like   something very heavy has been lifted off your shoulders  :)"

**
Reply
20. @tinacordova7233
"Jovan Cole true"

**
Reply
21.@MississippiGirl0013, 2018
"I agree! Hadn't heard this song in so long... 🙌"

**
Reply
22. @nenahynson, 2019
"I know!!! It hits so deep and makes you feel that old school church vibe"

**
Reply
23. @Legendaryroots_llc, 2019
"Yess"

**
Reply
24. @SheedMack88, 2020
"AMEN 🙌🏾"

**
25. @stellaferraz1668
"POWER in the form of VOICE. That has to be the most powerful voice I've ever heard! I feel the Spirit from the first second until the end!!!"

**
Reply
26.@anndavis9677
"AMEN!!!"

**
Reply
27. @elizabethbrown7896, 2024
"Yes Lord!"

****
2018

28.@mcbangmcbang6395
"Voice of the ANCESTORS"

**
Reply
29.@sandraparker726, 2019
"Let’s not overlook the voices in the audience as a whole with the drum beat, all I can think of is Our ancestors on those slave ships. But Glory be to GOD! HE is able."

**
Reply
30. @DeeVanasco, 2025
"THIS"

**
31. @CylindersxCalibers
"i know her collard greens fire"

**
Reply
32. @williegant4550, 2020
"Cornbread falls to pieces when you pick it up."

**
Reply
33.@jazzy_8468, 2020
"@williegant4550  Yesssss!!"

**
Reply
34. @pharaohnoble1209, 2020
"The best comment I ever seen 🤣🤣🤣"

**
Reply
35. @yvettemorris7295, 2020
"You know her cooking off the charts!!! Big mama cooking will put you to sleep"

**
Reply
36. @jaystew1249, 2020
"Real talk though 😂"

**
Reply
37. @tashayc.johnson12345, 2020
"And her fried chicken🤣🤣"

**
Reply
38. @mameze, 2020
"🤣🤣"

**
Reply
39. @amiyaeoh1140, 2020
"Facts"

**
Reply
40. @aliciag946, 2020
"😫☠ Omg these comments"

**
Reply
41. @Naturebae84, 2020
"Man!!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"

**
Reply
@sauceghandi2799, 2020
"42. FACTS!!!!!!!"

**
Reply
43. @jaynellioriginal5160, 2020
"😂😂😂😭😭😭"

**
Reply
44. @kiontaerobinson9201, 2024
"Skraight up 😭"

****
2019

45. @joliegarrett
"Now THAT'S SANGIN'!!! HALLELUJAH!!!"

**
46. @sandraparker726
"I love my people. Her voice is unbelievable and the audience as a whole is on fire with just a drum beat.  We are anointed. I’m not saying others can’t do it, but I have yet to witness it."

**
47. @JemiaBennett
"She didn’t sing that song, she SANG that song! 😭🔥"

**
Reply
48. @darleneslaughter6016, 2024
"Amen yes she did ❤️"

**
49. @KalvinKosha
"NOBODY will EVER deliver this song like she did. 🔥🤧"

**
Reply
50. @charitapatrick6671, 2020
"No Lies Detected😩 This Is One Of My Favorite Gospel Songs And Ms. Pace Bodied This Song😭❤️ #VocalQueen" "

****
2020

51. @pinkcede16
"THAT VOICE IS ANOINTED! THANK YOU JESUS!"

**
52. @kymetic9162
"She sang it so EFFORTLESSLY!"

**
Reply
53. @Inherentworth1, 2024
"Fact"

**
Reply
54. @jansonmeachemsr.6841, 2021
"Big factz even the crowd sound good yes lawwwddd."

****
2021

55. @anilrav
"If this don’t hit your soul something wrong🙌🏾🙌🏾"

**
Reply
56. @charstrologyllc9522, 2022
"Something is def wrong cause this song gets me every time I hear it"

**
Reply
57. @connectedconversationscoun283, 2022
"Right!"

**
Reply
58. @kgggkhgg, 2022
"Yes Lord,"

****
2022

59.@QueenLibra314
"Her voice literally sends chills down my spine ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍😍😍😍"

**
Reply
60.@christa526, 2023
"That is the anointing of the Holy Ghost and few have it but LaShun Pace sure did"

**
Reply
61.@Lovliqueen, 2023
"Yes Lord!"

**
62 @johnnymaneaux6155
"When the crowd start sounding like a choir….you know the presence of GOD was in there🙏🙏"

**
Reply
63. @missseptember6685
"That was crazy and they sound great"

**
Reply
64. @jzj2212
"Amen amen"

**
Reply
65. @dreamkingfilmztv8238
"Facts"

**
Reply
66. @kassimmons1063
"Yess the lord was there"

**
Reply
67. @melindatyson9704
"AMEN 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽"

**
Reply
68. @alexwilliams7105
"Amen brother"

**
Reply
69. @DeniseDumas-g8i, 2024
"What you say 😊😊😊😊"

**
Reply
70. @sasheeneagleson, 2024
"Most Definitely 💪🏾🙏🏾♾️❤️❤️❤️"

**
Reply
71.@reneejackson1144, 2024
"Amen 🙏🙏"

**
Reply
72. @williambrown8206, 2024
"Oh yes"

**
Reply
73. @LesAndrews-vj7bt, 2026
"With the voice Lashun had, you can't help but to join in."

****
2023

****
2024

74. @Lanae_LaCabra
"This the soul we talkin bout

**
75. @felicialockett6606
"SAAAAAAAAANG GIRL!!!!!!!!!  This never gets old...."

**
76. @snowwhite6882
"Praise God 2024!🕊️👏🏾"

**
77. @monicabutler2637
"Yessssssss!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏾"

**
78. @teecol8885
"Whew!!! Yes ma’am ❤️

**
79. @KjPritchett
"Thank Jesus Amen🙏🏽🩸❤️"

**
Reply
80. @franklinograham
"Praise God❤️"

**
Reply
81. @1950stype
"Big Facts"

**
Reply
82. @LisaMToler-r9l
"THIS IS A FACT, LOVE!."

**
83. @MemphisManeupholstery
"Omg she sung this song ❤️❤️❤️" 

**
84. @keepitsimple9595
"Baby sing that song like you mean it! ❤️😂🎉amen!"

**
Reply
85. @LeaveitoLycia
"Lord have mercy!🙌🏾👑"

**
86. @zn740
"Sang that song. CHILLS"

**
87. @sadrekawest-bey5338
"Tore it up!!!"

**
88. @Mikaelyahsharal4450
"All praises to The Most High YAHUAH!!!!!

I love my people"

**
89. @NAILL1982
"This is so COLD she killed it"

**
90. @reedaking5390
"Yesss you better sangggg!!!😭😭😭😭🙌🙌🙌"

****
2025

91. @jeroldcmitchell
"Saw this when it aired over 20 years ago and still coming bank after finding it on YT."

**
92. @williebivins
"Hallelujah king Jesus!!!❤️❤️❤️"

**
93. @christyrandle03
"Amen in here thank you Jesus 2025"

**
94. @KatoshiaEzell-i2q
"GOD IS GOOD ISN'T HE YES HE IS AMEN AND AMEN KATOSHIA EZELL 👌👍🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️"

**
95. @auntieMaine
"Did she sing this song so cold that I originally thought she had a whole band and chorus behind her? All she has is a drummer keeping the beat. Then she turned the audience into the choir and was directing them. ❤️ Good God!"

**
96. @wilanderfan22
"When I say show out, THIS is what I mean 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

**
97. @KishiaWagner
"Ate that right down 😅"

**
98. @AngelPettigrew-z5i
"You better sing girl"❤️❤️

**
99.@clockett1971
"Chilled my body, but not my soul."

**
100. @AshleyBurks4639
"That woman know she can sang!!"

**
101.@changeiscoming9784
"HalleluYAH HalleluYAH HalleluYAH AMEIN ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"

**
102. @michaelcoates7058
"Her mic was on and she understood the assignment!!"

**
Reply
103. @agboriweriebor599, 2026
"Hallelujah"

****
2026

104. @stevie586
"Come on, Lashun!!!!  Yes, Lord!"

**
105. @ZCLARK-h3y
"Yasss ❤️❤️❤️❤️ LORD🤗🤗🤗 I JUST LOVE THIS SONG ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"

**
106. @BrownSkinn-x8v
"I KNOWWWWW IVE BEEN CHANGED 👏👏"

**
Reply
107. @mayblockchynamoe7690
"Them angels in heaven signed my name"

**
Reply
108. @JomiVsJomi
"Yesssssss Lordddddd the water was cold 🥶✝️ Thank you Jesus❣️"

**
109,@Dont_play_773
"Yesssssuhhhhhhhhh 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"

**
Reply
110. @TheresaMayo-t9l
"Praise God Amen 🙏"

**
Reply
111. @TMadden
"Amen ❤️"

****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The African American Origin Of The Custom Of Throwing Shoes At People When They Sing Or Dance Very Well

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Edition - December 4, 2024

This is Part I of a pancocojams series about the custom of throwing shoes or other items at singers or dancers who perform very well.

This is a revised reprint of a 2019 pancocojams post. This post presents online statements about this custom originating among members of certain African American churches as involuntary responses to those people feeling the Holy Spirit.

This post also includes selected comments from a YouTube video on this subject.

In addition, this post includes other comments about this subject, including my thoughts about the similarities between the term "throwing shoes" [at a performer as a high compliment] and the phrase "snatching wigs" [to refer to an entertainer's outstanding performance.]

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/two-videos-of-custom-of-throwing-shoes.html for Part Ii of this pancocojams series. That post presents an excerpt of an online article about the custom of throwing shoes at dancers as a high compliment. Two videos of this custom are showcased in that post along with selected comments from those videos' discussion threads are also included in that post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
* Here's the link for that  2019 pancocojams post: 
https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/throwing-shoes-at-singers-or-dancers-as.html. That post has six comments as of December 3, 2024. 

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/two-videos-of-custom-of-throwing-shoes.html for a closely related pancocojams post on this subject entitled "Two Videos Of The Custom Of Throwing Shoes At Performers: The Voice- Cedric Neal; & Urban Dance Camp - Keone & Mariel Madrid".

 ****
WHAT DOES THROWING SHOES OR OTHER ITEMS MEAN?
In the United States, throwing shoes or other items at a performer or performers is a public action that indicates that the person throwing that item very much appreciates and respects  the performer/s talents and skills. As such, throwing shoes at the performer/s is a high compliment. 

****
WHERE DOES THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT A PERFORMER AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT OCCUR & WHAT DOES THIS CUSTOM MEAN?
Throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment mostly occurs in the United States. However, one online comment that I found indicates that this custom also occurred in Trinidad & Tobago. Read comment #27 below.

Based on a preponderance of online statements about the custom of throwing shoes at people sanging (i.e. "singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well") appears that this custom originated decades ago particularly among women who were/are members of African American Pentecostal, Apostolic, or Baptist churches.*

That custom may have occurred (and may still occur) because
1. Women took of their shoes (and/or their wig) because they can sense that they might soon be feeling the Holy Spirit and know that they can move or dance  more freely if they don't have their shoes on and/or don't have to worry about their wig coming off when they involuntarily move or dance.

2. Women listening to sanging (i.e. an anointed singer or singers) may have kept on their shoes (and/or wig), but when they felt the Holy Spirit, they involuntarily threw those items toward that sanger or sangers.

3. Women may be purposely imitating #1 or #2 to publicly show that they are bestowing high compliments to the sangers in the directions the shoes are thrown.

****
It's possible that men might also take off their shoes while they are sanging, and it's also possible that men might throw shoes at sangers, but I haven't found any documentation about this online. (I should also mention that I haven't had any direct experience with anyone throwing shoes or any other item at a performer. Nor have I had any direct experience with a singer taking off her (or his) shoes during a performance.
  
I haven't found any documentation as to when the custom of throwing shoes or other items as a high compliment first occurred. However, commenters indicate that this custom is decades old among some African American churches* and among some dance communities in the United States.

*One commenter mentioned "small churches". Another commenter mentioned "Baptist churches", and another commenter mentioned "Southern churches". It's very likely that this custom originated in (and may still largely be occur) in small, Southern, African American Baptist churches. However, even if that is an accurate description of where this custom originated (and I'm not sure of that) it certainly doesn't describe the totality of which populations currently engages in that custom.

By extension, the custom of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment has also been associated with certain dance communities, particularly urban dance ("street dancing", "break dancing", "Hip Hop") and with certain musical theater entertainers regardless of the race/ethnicities of those dancers or entertainers.

 ****
WHAT ITEMS ARE THROWN AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT TO EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMERS?
Usually a person throws (or pretends to throw) only one of their shoes at singers or dancers who have given an exceptional performance. Besides shoes, some other items that online commenters noted have been thrown (or pretended to be thrown at performers are church fans, (women's church) hats, water, jackets, and a [talent show judges'] notebook, and even a Bible.

****
WHEN AND HOW DID THIS CUSTOM BECOME KNOWN TO MAINSTREAM UNITED STATES?
Some people in mainstream United States (i.e. people outside of the populations noted above who have been familiar with this custom) learned of this custom through celebrities throwing a shoe or other items at exceptional singers or dancers on various nationally televised talent competitions:
"On the Season 13 premiere episode of The Voice, new coach Jennifer Hudson joins Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. All four are impressed when they hear the Blind Audition of Chris Weaver who sings “Try a Little Tenderness.” JHud is so impressed, she asks for Miley Cyrus’ shoe so she can throw it on stage. Chris Weaver knows what it means. JHud threw a shoe at him two years ago at a Color Purple party where he performed for her.

Throwing a shoe on stage is a sign of respect. And it ain’t new, especially on televised talent shows. In 2011, when Lady Gaga was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, she was so moved by a performance that she cried and threw her shoe on stage. She explained that it’s a sign of respect in the dance world (inserted video not included in this excerpt). And apparently, on The Voice, it doesn’t have to be a shoe. When JHud heard Brooke Simpson sing “Stone Cold,” she threw her notebook on stage. That said, throwing a shoe at a politician means something different."...https://2paragraphs.com/2017/09/why-jennifer-hudson-throws-shoes-book-on-the-voice-stage/ Why Jennifer Hudson Throws Shoes, Book on ‘The Voice’ Stage
by 2Paragraphs in Culture, September 25, 2017
-snip-
In addition, some commenters point to YouTube dance videos such as "The Mask - Soundtrack / Keone & Mariel Madrid Choreography Showcase / URBAN DANCE CAMP", Jan 13, 2015 which show other dancers throwing sneakers and other shoes that aren't high heels) to honor the choreography and the skills of the couple who are featured in that Hip Hop/Swing dance video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiS4zLdJgeU.

****
WHEN DOES THIS CUSTOM OCCUR?
Throwing shoes and other items usually occurs at the completion of the singer(s) or dancer(s) performance. However, people may act like they are going to throw a shoe or another item prior to the end of that performance (when they recognize the exceptional quality of that performance).

****
DOES THIS CUSTOM OCCUR DURING LARGE CONCERTS?
Online commenters note that this custom doesn't occur in large venues such as concerts. That is likely because throwing shoes in large venues would probably result in someone getting injured. Also, this custom is likely not to occur in large venues since it would be next to impossible to retrieve a shoe that was thrown in a large venue. Consequently, the person throwing that shoe would have to leave that venue with only one shoe.

****
THE EARLIEST ONLINE MENTION THAT I'VE FOUND TO DATE ABOUT THROWING SHOES OR OTHER ITEMS AT PERFORMERS AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT
The earliest online mention of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment that I've found to date is a 2010 broadwayworld.com message board. Here are selected comments from that message board.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1022449&boardid=2&boardname=off
Who Throws Shoes?? (Message Board) - Broadway World
Sep 26, 2010 - Who Throws Shoes??#1
Posted: 9/25/10 at 11:42pm
So...I'm working on a production of "The Wiz," and the other day at rehearsal, one of the leads gave such a rousing performance that the other actors threw shoes at the stage. They assured us that it was the highest praise known in the musical theatre world. I, no n00b in the musical theatre world, was baffled.

I'm curious--does anyone know how this tradition came about? Is anyone familiar with the tradition? Have you ever been compelled to throw shoes in a good way?"

**
REPLY
"ghostlight2
Posted: 9/25/10 at 11:55pm
I'm aware of it, and have seen it in theaters many times, but always as a response to a dance, not to singing or acting. It was always amongst the chorus people, and was definitely intended as high praise for the performance. I am not aware of its origin."

**
REPLY
"dramamama611
Posted: 9/28/10 at 6:00am
Never heard of it, never witnessed it. Are they Dutch?"
-snip-
There are thirteen comments in total on that message board. Most of the other comments were in response to commenter who said she threw her shoe at her husband when he pissed her off.

****
WHAT DOES THE TERM "SANGING" MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS CUSTOM?"
The African American Vernacular English term "sanging" is often used to refer to a singer's or singers' exceptional performance that may result in someone actually throwing a shoe or another item or -perhaps more often in larger venues. Usually, but not always, the singer who is "sanging" is African American.

"Sanging" ("sangin') is a present tense verb that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".

"Sangers" are people who are "anointed singers" (people who are filled with the Holy Spirit when they sing). 

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT SINGERS TAKING OF THEIR SHOES WHILE "SANGING" AND/OR PEOPLE THROWING SHOES AT "SANGERS" 
Source #1: 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzMKZcoFTrM "LaShun Pace- I Know I've Been Changed", published by malacomg, May 23, 2014
 
(Numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1.@bakaribrown9642, 2016
"Lordt you know when the kitten heels come off. You gone be laid over in the spirit"

**
Reply
2. @ambipittman2179, 2018
"Lmao yassss she was feeln it !"

**
3. @empressmystique260, 2017
"You know it gets serious when the shoes come off. She went from singing to ministering in an instant. Anointed!!"

**
4. @danielhawkins4783, 2017
"When they kick off the shoes you know it's going down!"

**
Reply
5. @marquesbell4178, 2018
"Yes sir"

**
Reply
6. @lilsparrow7845, 2018
"Lol....yup..."

**
Reply
7. @cutetimesinfinity3368, 2018
"Yeah. You already know."

**
Reply
8. @benjaminjeanes998, 2019
"Step in that water sister.. Amen"

**
Reply
9. @tashawnayoung3782, 2019
"Yes when them shoes come off its over"

**
Reply
10. @angeleyes3386,2019
"Daniel Hawkins Better watch out!!"

**
Reply
11. @gumboyentertainment4253, 2019
"😆"

**
Reply
12. @atlsongbyrd6084, 2019
"Right! I saw Fantasia take her shoes off at Aretha Franklin's funeral and I knew it was about to be on and poppin lol!"

**
Reply
13. @Drfeelinu, 2020
"Laurence lmao now THAT is the truth too!"

**
Reply
14. @Gr8LilLady, 2020
"Daniel Hawkins, when they kick off dem shoes OH! It's gone down! If you don't believe Sista La Shaun Pace, then you Betta ask Sista Patti Labelle 🤣😳😍"

**
Reply
15. @czahnie, 2020
"Those shoes came off and she stuck her whole foot in that song !"
-snip-
"Putting your whole foot in something you cooked or baked is an African American vernacular saying for something that tastes very good.

****
Source #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziVoBUrmnM Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Starts a Shoe Throwing Trend, published by The Real Daytime, Oct 29, 2017

"As a new mentor on "The Voice," Jennifer Hudson started a trend: throwing your shoe out of respect for a hot voice.

Would you want someone to throw their shoe at you? Sound off in the comments!"

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
-
1. T Monique, 2017
"Growing up in the black church for over 30 years, throwing shoes were compliments as a result of good old gospel singing from the soul. Jhud is just bringing the custom to the "mainstream" audience. Nothing new at all. And it was always done in a way that it wouldn't hurt anyone, as Jennifer did. The perfect shoe throwing technique...lol"

**
2. Lanae Lyles, 2017
"I'm so confused! Shoe throwing is a common practice in the Traditional African American Church! Lol. We've been doin this forever. If you sang well at a program or something we may goof off and throw a shoe at you. It doesnt happen all the time being that it takes a way from the main focus sometimes, but we definitely do it. Usually we just take the shoe off and act like we will. Lol. It sounds as if they think its new."

**
3. ModernBohemian, 2017
"Ya'll.... this has been a common occurrence in the dance and Black entertainment communities for years... it's not a big deal. It's a show of appreciation and awe for an awesome performance :)"

**
4. Moonchild, 2017
"Shoe throwing is a complimentary for dancers. Only other celebrity (besides Jennifer) I've seen that did this was Lady Gaga. She's been in the dancing world, so she knows."

**
5. N P, 2017
"Ummm that is a tradition in the dance, glee and Black communities already...."

**
REPLY
6. firacosplay, 2017
"N P
exactly...i was thinking "this isn't a new trend"

**
REPLY
7. Tyrone Thompson, 2019
"Danyel Fulton I could sort of get where they coming from, we know of this, but Jenny brought it more main stream, but, yes, you see that shoe go off, you bettuh straight up sang!"
-snip-
The commenter "Danyel Fulton" probably changed her screen name as that name isn't found in this sub-thread.

"Jenny" is Soul singer/actress Jennifer Hudson.

**
REPLY
8. tyerra1213, 2017
"I thought it was weird when I read the title but some southern baptist churches throw things when youre singing very well. Its the church equivalent of Yaaaass girl, you betta werk!"

**
REPLY
9. NunyJr, 2017
"You’re right, Gaga threw her shoe towards a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance."

**
10. Mati Grace, 2017
"It’s not like she chucks the shoe at the person she just gently throws it like 15 feet in front of them, chill people"

**
REPLY
11. Danielle Cleary, 2017
"Mc1234 THANK YOU!!! i said the EXACT same thing when they were saying how dangerous it is. maybe they should watch at least clips of her throwing the shoe first. she's thrown plenty lol"

**
REPLY
12. LaDii Naya, 2017
"Exactly what I was saying! She would be fired if she threw it directly at the contestant to hit them."

**
13. Brandon Mr.Unattainable Sloan, 2017
"This is definitely rooted in black church. If you SANGING, black folks will pick up anything and throw it at u."

**
14. Kin Dee, 2017
"That's a black thing y'all. You know if yo auntie or grandma threw a shoe at you if you did something good that's good. Its very common. If you sound good they'll throw their shoe and go yes baby yes!!!!!"

**
REPLY
15. Tiffany Ann, 2017
"Kin Dee exactly! I was in a gospel choir and When someone would SANG, a shoe or something would get thrown at them out of excitement! Lol And that was a decade ago"

**
REPLY
16. Tyrone Thompson, 2017
"Tiffany Ann girl, the first thought always, you bettuh sang! Then it gets real good, bam, off comes the shoe!"

**
REPLY
17. Ki2elegance LLC, 2017
"Throwing shoes doesn’t make sense to me😂"

**
REPLY
18. Tyrone Thompson, 2019
"Ki2elegance LLC it didn’t to me at first, but i sort of get it, you have to had grown up in that type of family or set of friends with a musical background. More commonly happens when somebody can, not sing, but can sang, and I mean, can really sang! It just moves you to that point where you like, don’t make me do it!

**
19. Cornell Clincy, 2017
"It's Really Something That's Common In The Black Church.. When Someone Is Singing They'll Throw Something At The Individual As A Sign Of Them Doing Well!! #FunFact

EXAMPLE: Heather Headly Throwing Her Shoes At Her Cast Mates From "The Color Purple" Broadway Show While They Were Singing "I Won't Complain" To Honor Her!"

**
20. Azyze, 2017
"Throwing shoes is common in the street dancing community. It really is a sign of respect -- you're so amazing, just take my shoes coz I'm done -- something to that effect. But of course those are sneakers, ballet shoes, slip ons. We don't chuck stilettos :p"

**
21. DNatuRyles, 2017
"Oh My GOD...Jennifer took them to "Church"! I am from the dirty south. I have seen shoes, hats, fans, ...etc thrown. THAT HOLY GHOST fire!"

**
22. Debbie218, 2017
"She didn't start the trend. I found out about this 10 years ago when I went to an HBCU. If you can really sing, a shoe or whatever is handy at the moment will be thrown at you."
-snip-
HBCU = historically Black college and university

**
23. Jamia Randall, 2017
"But she doesn't just toss a shoe lol on the the voice she tossed a notebook lol"

**
24. O Of, 2017
"In the black community, singers and dancers would get shoes thrown at them if they do a good job. My choir director used to throw his shoes at the soprano section all the time."

**
25. chinouyamale, 2017
"You people are so secular. Its a OLD saying in the Black Gospel community. Its actually a compliment. That means the singer is really performing well,. Nobody actually throws a shoe, so I dont understand why JHUD has to be so extra about it.#TELEVISIONPEOPLE...UGH"

**
26. Jordan Harrington, 2017
"YOU BETTA SANG!!!or CHY I BOUT THREW THIS SHOE AT YOU!!! = It's an exaggerated compliment but a compliment nonetheless in the black community 😂
-snip-
"CHY" is probably a form of the internet slang abbreviation "CHYA" which is a euphemism for "sh&t yeah".

**
27. Jamila Gomez, 2017
"In Trinidad and Tobago during some calypso competitions people throw toilet paper, etc at the performers (not a compliment) but at my university (UWI) they had a poetry event called U.We Speak where you did have to throw your shoe if you were feeling the artist. More shoes means more love."

**
28. Christine Bey AllRightsReserved, 2017
"It's a southern/old skool type of thing. The tossing of the shoe at one, is not meant to be an insult, and it's not like someone is hurling a shoe at someone. It's done a certain way were the person(s) won't be hurt."...

**
29. Kaleionalani Reyes, 2017
"NO! This is not a trend started by Jennifer Hudson. This started in the Dance Community. THIS IS ABSOLUTLEY NOT A TREND STARTED BY J HUDSON."

**
REPLY
30. Royce Mosley, 2017
"Kaleionalani Reyes this did not begin in the dance community; it began in the black church. they'd wave or throw their program, shoe etc...."

**
REPLY
31. Kaleionalani Reyes, 2017
"Ooooooh! Okay, I can see this. I don’t know how it started in the dance community BUT I can’t deny that Hip Hop/Music and the Black Community go hand in hand. Therefore (I believe) that the dance community is just as much in that hand shake as well. So I am not surprised that this started in the black church. Nice. 🙌🏽 I will say though, I’ve never seen it myself in a Black Church but this is a very popular “reaction” in the Dance Community and is OFTEN seen in studios, workshops and freestyle circles."

**
32. Justin Pineda, 2017
"This is a dance community thing. If you go to a master class and a group or solo is amazing you throw your shoes at the group/solo or the choreographer/s because they killed it.

I'm a dancer, I've had people throw their shoes at me when I did a solo"

**
33. Chloe, 2017
"I used to dance at university, when people killed a performance in the studio, we’d throw our shoes. I think it’s done in a lot of dance studios. I doubt it’s new."

**
34. Trending Trent, 2017
"In the world of dance; shoes are thrown if the choreography is dope!"

**
35. sh, 2017
"a woman throwing her shoe during a performance comes from small black churches. some times she wont throw it but take it and position herself to throw it, when some one is really giving a great performance. thats where Jennifer got this from"

**
36. Anthia Bernice, 2017
"This is nothing new though, I don't think it's fair to say that she "started" the trend. In the dance world, you get thrown stuff (shoes, jackets, etc.) on you when people really enjoy your performances. :)"

**
37. RoyalMasterpiece, 2017
"It happens in churches. Water and Shoes (not together). lol You have to aim low at the feet."

**
38. Brianna Garcia, 2017
"Dancers been doing this forever lol 😂"

**
39. Andrew Coleman, 2017
"Shoe throwing at great singing isn’t new lol it’s a compliment in the black community"

**
40. Christian Dixon, 2017
"People if you're singing and someone who is highly respected or a person in general throws their shoe at you they're not trying to hurt you it means you can sang.... Trust me the person throwing the shoe will never hit you 😭💯"

**
41. Tyrone Smith, 2017
"Now where I’m from it truly is a compliment to have a shoe thrown at you 😂😂 Crazy but true!! It simply means that you are SANGING.. it’s not to be taken as a threat of any kind!! And I’m from Selma,Al btw 😁"

**
42. JasMontrell, 2017
"y'all don't understand what it is to be a sanger!Lol Jennifer Hudson is amazing when she performs so the fact that she threw a show at somebody to express how amazing they were its a compliment! sometimes y'all get lost in these stories as if the person were trying to hurt her but no they were saying with an act how excited she made them"

**
43. Jennifer Cayanan, 2017
"for dancers at workshops, when you perform a piece and its really good, they do throw their shoes at you as a compliment"

**
44. Jordan’s World, 2018
"I was singing in church and had a bible thrown at me, one of the most confusing moments of my life"

**
45. Jokeisha Gray, 2018
"That's an ole Baptist move. Yes God."

**
46. Darlene Ceciliaa, 2018
"The shoe thing as a compliment is something that comes from the dance community (as far as I know). If someone's choreography or solo is amazing, other dancers at the class throw their shoes as they cheer them on."

**
47. Jewels 29, 2018
"Usually this is how you show appreciation when someone DANCES great especially on the break dance/hip hop"

**
48. Benjamin Dada, 2018
"No in black churches, when the choir sings and u are so moved that they actually throw stuff at u that's where jhud got it from
-snip-
“jhud=Jennifer Hudson


HOW DOES THE PERSON FEEL WHO THROWS A SHOE OR SOME OTHER ITEM AT A PERSON SANGING?
At least with regards to the custom of throwing a shoe or another item at a person "sanging" [singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well], it appears that sometimes the person who throws a show or another item is at least partly compelled to do this act against her or his will. The singer's awesome performance produces elevated feelings that result in the listener "going in" ("getting happy"; "feeling the Holy Spirit"). However, the listener may fight those feelings and experience anger toward the singer for causing her (or him) to "go there". In reaction to the feeling of being out of control, the listener might say things like "Don't make me do this" and later admit that she or he felt like hitting the singer. As a result of this lost of control, the listener throws a shoe at the singer. However, at some point, the listener isn't able to fight those elevated feelings any longer and has truly "gone in".

Here's two examples of these comments:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziVoBUrmnM
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Starts a Shoe Throwing Trend
The Real Daytime, Oct 29, 2017

...[This custom] "More commonly happens when somebody can, not sing, but can sang, and I mean, can really sang! It just moves you to that point where you like, don’t make me do it!

**
From https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/12/voices-jennifer-hudson-confuses-viewers-throwing-heels-hopeful-8338516/ The Voice’s Jennifer Hudson confuses viewers by throwing heels at hopeful Cydney Yeates, 12 Jan 2019
..."Jennifer [Hudson] explained her shoe-throwing gag ahead of the current series, revealing: ‘It’s just I really don’t know how to define it…it’s a compliment though! ‘It means you are singing SO well I’m gonna throw my shoe at you! Y’know? And it’s the highest compliment is all I can say. ‘I kinda wanna hit ‘em but as they’re so far away the next best thing is I’m gonna grab my shoe and let them know!’"

****
WHY DO DANCERS THROW SHOES AT OTHER DANCERS?
One response to this question may be this comment that is given as #20 below (with the pertinent sentence given in italics :
Azyze, 2017
"Throwing shoes is common in the street dancing community. It really is a sign of respect -- you're so amazing, just take my shoes coz I'm done -- something to that effect. But of course those are sneakers, ballet shoes, slip ons. We don't chuck stilettos :p"
-snip-
"I'm done" here may have the same meaning as a "mic drop"- The performance was so good that no one else can do better, so they might as well not even try.
-snip-
Here are some additional thoughts on this subject (Added December 7, 2019)
With regard to my speculations about why some people who throw shoes at performers as a high compliment might say that they were mad at that performer and wanted to hit them: These thoughts and these descriptions of the feelings that people say that they had may be part of the culture associated with the "going in" experience but may not be the actual feelings of celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson who throw a shoe (or a judge's notebook) at a person competing in a talent show. In other words, those celebrities may use the same terminology to describe how they felt about that outstanding performance and why they decided to throw a shoe without actually feeling the same way they feel prior to or actually "getting happy" (i.e. "going in" or "getting ready to go in" to an elevated religious experience.

**
It should be noted that "getting happy" isn't part of the worship experience of every African American church (in the past and now). Some African American church members-such as myself- have little to no experience with people "getting happy", i.e."going in","shouting", "doing holy dances", "speaking in tongues", and/or throwing shoes at singers as a public expression of appreciation.

**
The vernacular phrase "snatched my wig" conveys the same or similar high compliment as "throwing a shoe" at an outstanding performer. Here's a definition of "wig snatched" and two examples of that phrase from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wig%20Snatching
"Wig Snatching
A term used mainly by gay men and women to express extreme happiness or excitement when their diva has done something amazing, shocking, or gives life by any means

See also wig scalped
"Beyoncé out here wig snatching with that Bowl Performance!"

"Did you see how Mariah came for Demi Lovato on Watch What Happens Live? I died! Wig snatched."
#wig#wig snatched#wig snatching#scalped#i live#gives life
by User_nombre April 15, 2017"
-snip-
The meaning behind the phrase [having one's] wig snatched" is that, given how important wearing a wig is during a female impersonator's performance, the lack of a wig would mean that person would be unable to perform and the person who snatched the wig (because their performance was so awesome) would be declared the winner by default of that competition.

The phrase "snatched my wig" originated in the mostly African American drag queen community. A number of persons in that community are or may have been members of African American churches where getting happy and throwing shoes or other items as a high compliment are or were normal occurrences.

I note these points to emphasize the similarities between these the vernacular sayings "snatch a wig" and "throw a shoe" and to highlight that it's likely that both of these vernacular sayings have African American sources.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/06/examples-of-comments-from-youtube.html for the related pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of Comments From The YouTube Discussion Thread Of Todrick Hall's Video "Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels" That Refer To Wigs Being Snatched".

****
IS THE STATEMENT "YOU GIVE ME SOUL/I GIVE YOU SOLE" A NEW EXPLANATION FOR THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT SINGERS WHO SANG?
Some articles and discussion threads about this custom refer to it as "You give me soul and I give you sole", meaning you sing soulfully very well ("sang") and I will show you the sole of my shoe or throw that shoe at you". Here are two examples from https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/12/voices-jennifer-hudson-confuses-viewers-throwing-heels-hopeful-8338516/
..."☆💫 Jojo 💫☆
@JoMeganH
Looooool @IAMJHUD with her shoe throwing "you give me soul I give you sole" madness 😂😂😂 and you know the singer is good when she's heckling them 😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #TheVoiceUK

3:39 PM - Jan 12, 2019"

**
..."Viewers raced to Twitter to discuss the scenes they’d just witnessed, asking: ‘Why does jhud chuck her shoes? I thought it was an insult.’ Luckily Will.i.am was around to explain what it means, telling Cedric later in the show: ‘When somebody throws their shoe, that means you’ve got soul.’ Soul, sole… we get it now."
-snip-
I believe that "soul for sole" saying is something that someone (singer/composer Will I AM?) created as a "backstory" explanation for this old African American church custom that was also adopted by certain dancers. That soul/sole play on words might fit one meaning of that custom, but it doesn't necessarily fit the entire meaning of publicly acknowledging and showing appreciation for outstanding performances.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Origin Of The Custom Of Throwing Shoes At People When They Perform Very Well (Part I)

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Notice: Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/12/members-of-certain-african-american.html for the latest edition of this pancocojams post. That 2024 post doesn't include any comments that are published in this 2019 post's discussion thread.]

This is Part I of a pancocojams series about the custom of throwing shoes or other items at singers or dancers who perform very well.

This post presents online statements about this custom originating among members of certain African American churches as involuntary responses to those people feeling the Holy Spirit.

This post also includes selected comments from a YouTube video on this subject.

In addition, this post includes other comments about this subject, including my thoughts about the similarities between the term "throwing shoes" [at a performer as a high compliment] and the phrase "snatching wigs" [to refer to an entertainer's outstanding performance.]

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/two-videos-of-custom-of-throwing-shoes.html for Part Ii of this pancocojams series. That post presents an excerpt of an online article about the custom of throwing shoes at dancers as a high compliment. Two videos of this custom are showcased in that post along with selected comments from those videos' discussion threads are also included in that post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/two-videos-of-custom-of-throwing-shoes.html for a closely related pancocojams post on this subject entitled "Two Videos Of The Custom Of Throwing Shoes At Performers: The Voice- Cedric Neal; & Urban Dance Camp - Keone & Mariel Madrid".

 ****
WHAT DOES THROWING SHOES OR OTHER ITEMS MEAN?
In the United States, throwing shoes or other items at a performer or performers is a public action that indicates that the person throwing that item very much appreciates and respects  the performer/s talents and skills. As such, throwing shoes at the performer/s is a high compliment. 

****
WHERE DOES THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT A PERFORMER AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT OCCUR & WHAT DOES THIS CUSTOM MEAN?
Throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment mostly occurs in the United States. However, one online comment that I found indicates that this custom also occurred in Trinidad & Tobago. Read comment #27 below.

Based on a preponderance of online statements about the custom of throwing shoes at people sanging (i.e. "singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well") appears that this custom originated decades ago particularly among women who were/are members of African American Pentecostal, Apostolic, or Baptist churches.*

That custom may have occurred (and may still occur) because
1. Women took of their shoes (and/or their wig) to more freely dance in the Holy Spirit or because they knew that they might feel the Holy Spirit and would lose self-control while dancing in the Holy Spirit. When they felt the Holy Spirit, those items were nearby and were involuntarily thrown by those women towards a sanger or sangers (i.e. a person or people who are singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well as, as such, helping to bring the Holy Spirit into that worship service.).

2. Women may have kept on their shoes (and/or wig), but when they felt the Holy Spirit, they involuntarily threw those items toward a sanger or sangers.

3. Women may be purposely imitating #1 or #2 to publicly show that they are bestowing high compliments to the sangers in the directions the shoes are thrown.

****
I haven't found any documentation as to when the custom of throwing shoes or other items as a high compliment first occurred. However, commenters indicate that this custom is decades old among some African American churches* and among some dance communities in the United States.

*One commenter mentioned "small churches". Another commenter mentioned "Baptist churches", and another commenter mentioned "Southern churches". It's very likely that this custom originated in (and may still largely be occur) in small, Southern, African American Baptist churches. However, even if that is an accurate description of where this custom originated (and I'm not sure of that) it certainly doesn't describe the totality of which populations currently engages in that custom.

By extension, the custom of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment has also been associated with certain dance communities, particularly urban dance ("street dancing", "break dancing", "Hip Hop") and with certain musical theater entertainers regardless of the race/ethnicities of those dancers or entertainers.

 ****
WHAT ITEMS ARE THROWN AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT TO EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMERS?
Usually a person throws (or pretends to throw) only one of their shoes at singers or dancers who have given an exceptional performance. Besides shoes, some other items that online commenters noted have been thrown (or pretended to be thrown at performers are church fans, (women's church) hats, water, jackets, and a [talent show judges'] notebook, and even a Bible.

****
WHEN AND HOW DID THIS CUSTOM BECOME KNOWN TO MAINSTREAM UNITED STATES?
Some people in mainstream United States (i.e. people outside of the populations noted above who have been familiar with this custom) learned of this custom through celebrities throwing a shoe or other items at exceptional singers or dancers on various nationally televised talent competitions:
"On the Season 13 premiere episode of The Voice, new coach Jennifer Hudson joins Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. All four are impressed when they hear the Blind Audition of Chris Weaver who sings “Try a Little Tenderness.” JHud is so impressed, she asks for Miley Cyrus’ shoe so she can throw it on stage. Chris Weaver knows what it means. JHud threw a shoe at him two years ago at a Color Purple party where he performed for her.

Throwing a shoe on stage is a sign of respect. And it ain’t new, especially on televised talent shows. In 2011, when Lady Gaga was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, she was so moved by a performance that she cried and threw her shoe on stage. She explained that it’s a sign of respect in the dance world (inserted video not included in this excerpt). And apparently, on The Voice, it doesn’t have to be a shoe. When JHud heard Brooke Simpson sing “Stone Cold,” she threw her notebook on stage. That said, throwing a shoe at a politician means something different."...https://2paragraphs.com/2017/09/why-jennifer-hudson-throws-shoes-book-on-the-voice-stage/ Why Jennifer Hudson Throws Shoes, Book on ‘The Voice’ Stage
by 2Paragraphs in Culture, September 25, 2017
-snip-
In addition, some commenters point to YouTube dance videos such as "The Mask - Soundtrack / Keone & Mariel Madrid Choreography Showcase / URBAN DANCE CAMP", Jan 13, 2015 which show other dancers throwing sneakers and other shoes that aren't high heels) to honor the choreography and the skills of the couple who are featured in that Hip Hop/Swing dance video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiS4zLdJgeU.

****
WHEN DOES THIS CUSTOM OCCUR?
Throwing shoes and other items usually occurs at the completion of the singer(s) or dancer(s) performance. However, people may act like they are going to throw a shoe or another item prior to the end of that performance (when they recognize the exceptional quality of that performance).

****
DOES THIS CUSTOM OCCUR DURING LARGE CONCERTS?
Online commenters note that this custom doesn't occur in large venues such as concerts. That is likely because throwing shoes in large venues would probably result in someone getting injured. Also, this custom is likely not to occur in large venues since it would be next to impossible to retrieve a shoe that was thrown in a large venue. Consequently, the person throwing that shoe would have to leave that venue with only one shoe.

****
WHEN IS THE EARLIEST ONLINE MENTION THAT I'VE FOUND TO DATE ABOUT THROWING SHOES OR OTHER ITEMS AT PERFORMERS AS A HIGH COMPLIMENT?
The earliest online mention of throwing shoes or other items at performers as a high compliment that I've found to date is a 2010 broadwayworld.com message board. Here are selected comments from that message board.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1022449&boardid=2&boardname=off
Who Throws Shoes?? (Message Board) - Broadway World
Sep 26, 2010 - 13 posts - ‎11 authors
"cgichniowski
Who Throws Shoes??#1
Posted: 9/25/10 at 11:42pm
So...I'm working on a production of "The Wiz," and the other day at rehearsal, one of the leads gave such a rousing performance that the other actors threw shoes at the stage. They assured us that it was the highest praise known in the musical theatre world. I, no n00b in the musical theatre world, was baffled.

I'm curious--does anyone know how this tradition came about? Is anyone familiar with the tradition? Have you ever been compelled to throw shoes in a good way?"

**
REPLY
"ghostlight2
Posted: 9/25/10 at 11:55pm
I'm aware of it, and have seen it in theaters many times, but always as a response to a dance, not to singing or acting. It was always amongst the chorus people, and was definitely intended as high praise for the performance. I am not aware of its origin."

**
REPLY
"dramamama611
Posted: 9/28/10 at 6:00am
Never heard of it, never witnessed it. Are they Dutch?"
-snip-
There are thirteen comments in total on that message board. Most of the other comments were in response to commenter who said she threw her shoe at her husband when he pissed her off.

****
WHAT DOES THE TERM "SANGING" MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS CUSTOM?"
The African American Vernacular English term "sanging" is often used to refer to a singer's or singers' exceptional performance that may result in someone actually throwing a shoe or another item or -perhaps more often in larger venues. Usually, but not always, the singer who is "sanging" is Black.

"Sanging" ("sangin') is a present tense verb that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".

****
HOW DOES THE PERSON FEEL WHO THROWS A SHOE OR SOME OTHER ITEM AT A PERSON SANGING?
At least with regards to the custom of throwing a shoe or another item at a person "sanging" [singing very well, especially singing soulfully very well], it appears that sometimes the person who throws a show or another item is at least partly compelled to do this act against her or his will. The singer's awesome performance produces elevated feelings that result in the listener "going in" ("getting happy"; "feeling the Holy Spirit"). However, the listener may fight those feelings and experience anger toward the singer for causing her (or him) to "go there". In reaction to the feeling of being out of control, the listener might say things like "Don't make me do this" and later admit that she or he felt like hitting the singer. As a result of this lost of control, the listener throws a shoe at the singer. However, at some point, the listener isn't able to fight those elevated feelings any longer and has truly "gone in".

Here's two examples of these comments:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziVoBUrmnM
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Starts a Shoe Throwing Trend
The Real Daytime, Oct 29, 2017

...[This custom] "More commonly happens when somebody can, not sing, but can sang, and I mean, can really sang! It just moves you to that point where you like, don’t make me do it!

**
From https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/12/voices-jennifer-hudson-confuses-viewers-throwing-heels-hopeful-8338516/ The Voice’s Jennifer Hudson confuses viewers by throwing heels at hopeful Cydney Yeates, 12 Jan 2019
..."Jennifer [Hudson] explained her shoe-throwing gag ahead of the current series, revealing: ‘It’s just I really don’t know how to define it…it’s a compliment though! ‘It means you are singing SO well I’m gonna throw my shoe at you! Y’know? And it’s the highest compliment is all I can say. ‘I kinda wanna hit ‘em but as they’re so far away the next best thing is I’m gonna grab my shoe and let them know!’"

****
WHY DO DANCERS THROW SHOES AT OTHER DANCERS?
One response to this question may be this comment that is given as #20 below (with the pertinent sentence given in italics :
Azyze, 2017
"Throwing shoes is common in the street dancing community. It really is a sign of respect -- you're so amazing, just take my shoes coz I'm done -- something to that effect. But of course those are sneakers, ballet shoes, slip ons. We don't chuck stilettos :p"
-snip-
"I'm done" here may have the same meaning as a "mic drop"- The performance was so good that no one else can do better, so they might as well not even try.
-snip-
Here are some additional thoughts on this subject (Added December 7, 2019)
With regard to my speculations about why some people who throw shoes at performers as a high compliment might say that they were mad at that performer and wanted to hit them: These thoughts and these descriptions of the feelings that people say that they had may be part of the culture associated with the "going in" experience but may not be the actual feelings of celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson who throw a shoe (or a judge's notebook) at a person competing in a talent show. In other words, those celebrities may use the same terminology to describe how they felt about that outstanding performance and why they decided to throw a shoe without actually feeling the same way they feel prior to or actually "getting happy" (i.e. "going in" or "getting ready to go in" to an elevated religious experience.

**
It should be noted that "getting happy" isn't part of the worship experience of every African American church (in the past and now). Some African American church members-such as myself- have little to no experience with people "getting happy", i.e."going in","shouting", "doing holy dances", "speaking in tongues", and/or throwing shoes at singers as a public expression of appreciation.

**
The vernacular phrase "snatched my wig" conveys the same or similar high compliment as "throwing a shoe" at an outstanding performer. Here's a definition of "wig snatched" and two examples of that phrase from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wig%20Snatching
"Wig Snatching
A term used mainly by gay men and women to express extreme happiness or excitement when their diva has done something amazing, shocking, or gives life by any means

See also wig scalped
"Beyoncé out here wig snatching with that Bowl Performance!"

"Did you see how Mariah came for Demi Lovato on Watch What Happens Live? I died! Wig snatched."
#wig#wig snatched#wig snatching#scalped#i live#gives life
by User_nombre April 15, 2017"
-snip-
The meaning behind the phrase [having one's] wig snatched" is that, given how important wearing a wig is during a female impersonator's performance, the lack of a wig would mean that person would be unable to perform and the person who snatched the wig (because their performance was so awesome) would be declared the winner by default of that competition.

The phrase "snatched my wig" originated in the mostly African American drag queen community. A number of persons in that community are or may have been members of African American churches where getting happy and throwing shoes or other items as a high compliment are or were normal occurrences.

I note these points to emphasize the similarities between these the vernacular sayings "snatch a wig" and "throw a shoe" and to highlight that it's likely that both of these vernacular sayings have African American sources.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/06/examples-of-comments-from-youtube.html for the related pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of Comments From The YouTube Discussion Thread Of Todrick Hall's Video "Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels" That Refer To Wigs Being Snatched".

****
IS THE STATEMENT "YOU GIVE ME SOUL/I GIVE YOU SOLE" A NEW EXPLANATION FOR THE CUSTOM OF THROWING SHOES AT SINGERS WHO SANG?
Some articles and discussion threads about this custom refer to it as "You give me soul and I give you sole", meaning you sing soulfully very well ("sang") and I will show you the sole of my shoe or throw that shoe at you". Here are two examples from https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/12/voices-jennifer-hudson-confuses-viewers-throwing-heels-hopeful-8338516/
..."☆💫 Jojo 💫☆
@JoMeganH
Looooool @IAMJHUD with her shoe throwing "you give me soul I give you sole" madness 😂😂😂 and you know the singer is good when she's heckling them 😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #TheVoiceUK

3:39 PM - Jan 12, 2019"

**
..."Viewers raced to Twitter to discuss the scenes they’d just witnessed, asking: ‘Why does jhud chuck her shoes? I thought it was an insult.’ Luckily Will.i.am was around to explain what it means, telling Cedric later in the show: ‘When somebody throws their shoe, that means you’ve got soul.’ Soul, sole… we get it now."
-snip-
I believe that "soul for sole" saying is something that someone (singer/composer Will I AM?) created as a "backstory" explanation for this old African American church custom that was also adopted by certain dancers. That soul/sole play on words might fit one meaning of that custom, but it doesn't necessarily fit the entire meaning of publicly acknowledging and showing appreciation for outstanding performances.

****
EXAMPLES OF COMMENTS ABOUT THROWING SHOES AT PERFORMERS AS A COMPLIMENT
From the discussion thread for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziVoBUrmnM
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Starts a Shoe Throwing Trend
The Real Daytime, Oct 29, 2017

"As a new mentor on "The Voice," Jennifer Hudson started a trend: throwing your shoe out of respect for a hot voice.

Would you want someone to throw their shoe at you? Sound off in the comments!"
-snip-
1. T Monique, 2017
"Growing up in the black church for over 30 years, throwing shoes were compliments as a result of good old gospel singing from the soul. Jhud is just bringing the custom to the "mainstream" audience. Nothing new at all. And it was always done in a way that it wouldn't hurt anyone, as Jennifer did. The perfect shoe throwing technique...lol"

**
2. Lanae Lyles, 2017
"I'm so confused! Shoe throwing is a common practice in the Traditional African American Church! Lol. We've been doin this forever. If you sang well at a program or something we may goof off and throw a shoe at you. It doesnt happen all the time being that it takes a way from the main focus sometimes, but we definitely do it. Usually we just take the shoe off and act like we will. Lol. It sounds as if they think its new."

**
3. ModernBohemian, 2017
"Ya'll.... this has been a common occurrence in the dance and Black entertainment communities for years... it's not a big deal. It's a show of appreciation and awe for an awesome performance :)"

**
4. Moonchild, 2017
"Shoe throwing is a complimentary for dancers. Only other celebrity (besides Jennifer) I've seen that did this was Lady Gaga. She's been in the dancing world, so she knows."

**
5. N P, 2017
"Ummm that is a tradition in the dance, glee and Black communities already...."

**
REPLY
6. firacosplay, 2017
"N P
exactly...i was thinking "this isn't a new trend"

**
REPLY
7. Tyrone Thompson, 2019
"Danyel Fulton I could sort of get where they coming from, we know of this, but Jenny brought it more main stream, but, yes, you see that shoe go off, you bettuh straight up sang!"
-snip-
The commenter "Danyel Fulton" probably changed her screen name as that name isn't found in this sub-thread.

"Jenny" is Soul singer/actress Jennifer Hudson.

**
REPLY
8. tyerra1213, 2017
"I thought it was weird when I read the title but some southern baptist churches throw things when youre singing very well. Its the church equivalent of Yaaaass girl, you betta werk!"

**
REPLY
9. NunyJr, 2017
"You’re right, Gaga threw her shoe towards a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance."

**
10. Mati Grace, 2017
"It’s not like she chucks the shoe at the person she just gently throws it like 15 feet in front of them, chill people"

**
REPLY
11. Danielle Cleary, 2017
"Mc1234 THANK YOU!!! i said the EXACT same thing when they were saying how dangerous it is. maybe they should watch at least clips of her throwing the shoe first. she's thrown plenty lol"

**
REPLY
12. LaDii Naya, 2017
"Exactly what I was saying! She would be fired if she threw it directly at the contestant to hit them."

**
13. Brandon Mr.Unattainable Sloan, 2017
"This is definitely rooted in black church. If you SANGING, black folks will pick up anything and throw it at u."

**
14. Kin Dee, 2017
"That's a black thing y'all. You know if yo auntie or grandma threw a shoe at you if you did something good that's good. Its very common. If you sound good they'll throw their shoe and go yes baby yes!!!!!"

**
REPLY
15. Tiffany Ann, 2017
"Kin Dee exactly! I was in a gospel choir and When someone would SANG, a shoe or something would get thrown at them out of excitement! Lol And that was a decade ago"

**
REPLY
16. Tyrone Thompson, 2017
"Tiffany Ann girl, the first thought always, you bettuh sang! Then it gets real good, bam, off comes the shoe!"

**
REPLY
17. Ki2elegance LLC, 2017
"Throwing shoes doesn’t make sense to me😂"

**
REPLY
18. Tyrone Thompson, 2019
"Ki2elegance LLC it didn’t to me at first, but i sort of get it, you have to had grown up in that type of family or set of friends with a musical background. More commonly happens when somebody can, not sing, but can sang, and I mean, can really sang! It just moves you to that point where you like, don’t make me do it!

**
19. Cornell Clincy, 2017
"It's Really Something That's Common In The Black Church.. When Someone Is Singing They'll Throw Something At The Individual As A Sign Of Them Doing Well!! #FunFact

EXAMPLE: Heather Headly Throwing Her Shoes At Her Cast Mates From "The Color Purple" Broadway Show While They Were Singing "I Won't Complain" To Honor Her!"

**
20. Azyze, 2017
"Throwing shoes is common in the street dancing community. It really is a sign of respect -- you're so amazing, just take my shoes coz I'm done -- something to that effect. But of course those are sneakers, ballet shoes, slip ons. We don't chuck stilettos :p"

**
21. DNatuRyles, 2017
"Oh My GOD...Jennifer took them to "Church"! I am from the dirty south. I have seen shoes, hats, fans, ...etc thrown. THAT HOLY GHOST fire!"

**
22. Debbie218, 2017
"She didn't start the trend. I found out about this 10 years ago when I went to an HBCU. If you can really sing, a shoe or whatever is handy at the moment will be thrown at you."
-snip-
HBCU = historically Black college and university

**
23. Jamia Randall, 2017
"But she doesn't just toss a shoe lol on the the voice she tossed a notebook lol"

**
24. O Of, 2017
"In the black community, singers and dancers would get shoes thrown at them if they do a good job. My choir director used to throw his shoes at the soprano section all the time."

**
25. chinouyamale, 2017
"You people are so secular. Its a OLD saying in the Black Gospel community. Its actually a compliment. That means the singer is really performing well,. Nobody actually throws a shoe, so I dont understand why JHUD has to be so extra about it.#TELEVISIONPEOPLE...UGH"

**
26. Jordan Harrington, 2017
"YOU BETTA SANG!!!or CHY I BOUT THREW THIS SHOE AT YOU!!! = It's an exaggerated compliment but a compliment nonetheless in the black community 😂
-snip-
"CHY" is probably a form of the internet slang abbreviation "CHYA" which is a euphemism for "sh&t yeah".

**
27. Jamila Gomez, 2017
"In Trinidad and Tobago during some calypso competitions people throw toilet paper, etc at the performers (not a compliment) but at my university (UWI) they had a poetry event called U.We Speak where you did have to throw your shoe if you were feeling the artist. More shoes means more love."

**
28. Christine Bey AllRightsReserved, 2017
"It's a southern/old skool type of thing. The tossing of the shoe at one, is not meant to be an insult, and it's not like someone is hurling a shoe at someone. It's done a certain way were the person(s) won't be hurt."...

**
29. Kaleionalani Reyes, 2017
"NO! This is not a trend started by Jennifer Hudson. This started in the Dance Community. THIS IS ABSOLUTLEY NOT A TREND STARTED BY J HUDSON."

**
REPLY
30. Royce Mosley, 2017
"Kaleionalani Reyes this did not begin in the dance community; it began in the black church. they'd wave or throw their program, shoe etc...."

**
REPLY
31. Kaleionalani Reyes, 2017
"Ooooooh! Okay, I can see this. I don’t know how it started in the dance community BUT I can’t deny that Hip Hop/Music and the Black Community go hand in hand. Therefore (I believe) that the dance community is just as much in that hand shake as well. So I am not surprised that this started in the black church. Nice. 🙌🏽 I will say though, I’ve never seen it myself in a Black Church but this is a very popular “reaction” in the Dance Community and is OFTEN seen in studios, workshops and freestyle circles."

**
32. Justin Pineda, 2017
"This is a dance community thing. If you go to a master class and a group or solo is amazing you throw your shoes at the group/solo or the choreographer/s because they killed it.

I'm a dancer, I've had people throw their shoes at me when I did a solo"

**
33. Chloe, 2017
"I used to dance at university, when people killed a performance in the studio, we’d throw our shoes. I think it’s done in a lot of dance studios. I doubt it’s new."

**
34. Trending Trent, 2017
"In the world of dance; shoes are thrown if the choreography is dope!"

**
35. sh, 2017
"a woman throwing her shoe during a performance comes from small black churches. some times she wont throw it but take it and position herself to throw it, when some one is really giving a great performance. thats where Jennifer got this from"

**
36. Anthia Bernice, 2017
"This is nothing new though, I don't think it's fair to say that she "started" the trend. In the dance world, you get thrown stuff (shoes, jackets, etc.) on you when people really enjoy your performances. :)"

**
37. RoyalMasterpiece, 2017
"It happens in churches. Water and Shoes (not together). lol You have to aim low at the feet."

**
38. Brianna Garcia, 2017
"Dancers been doing this forever lol 😂"

**
39. Andrew Coleman, 2017
"Shoe throwing at great singing isn’t new lol it’s a compliment in the black community"

**
40. Christian Dixon, 2017
"People if you're singing and someone who is highly respected or a person in general throws their shoe at you they're not trying to hurt you it means you can sang.... Trust me the person throwing the shoe will never hit you 😭💯"

**
41. Tyrone Smith, 2017
"Now where I’m from it truly is a compliment to have a shoe thrown at you 😂😂 Crazy but true!! It simply means that you are SANGING.. it’s not to be taken as a threat of any kind!! And I’m from Selma,Al btw 😁"

**
42. JasMontrell, 2017
"y'all don't understand what it is to be a sanger!Lol Jennifer Hudson is amazing when she performs so the fact that she threw a show at somebody to express how amazing they were its a compliment! sometimes y'all get lost in these stories as if the person were trying to hurt her but no they were saying with an act how excited she made them"

**
43. Jennifer Cayanan, 2017
"for dancers at workshops, when you perform a piece and its really good, they do throw their shoes at you as a compliment"

**
44. Jordan’s World, 2018
"I was singing in church and had a bible thrown at me, one of the most confusing moments of my life"

**
45. Jokeisha Gray, 2018
"That's an ole Baptist move. Yes God."

**
46. Darlene Ceciliaa, 2018
"The shoe thing as a compliment is something that comes from the dance community (as far as I know). If someone's choreography or solo is amazing, other dancers at the class throw their shoes as they cheer them on."

**
47. Jewels 29, 2018
"Usually this is how you show appreciation when someone DANCES great especially on the break dance/hip hop"

**
48. Benjamin Dada, 2018
"No in black churches, when the choir sings and u are so moved that they actually throw stuff at u that's where jhud got it from
-snip-
“jhud=Jennifer Hudson

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.