Lists Of Records That Are Commonly Used For Historically Black Fraternity & Sorority Strolls (information, videos, and comments)

Corey Jones, Feb 15, 2018

Strolling is one of the many great things about being in an NPHC fraternity or sorority! In this video I will name the songs that I think are  the Top 5 NPHC stroll songs of ALL TIME! Feel free to list your top 5 stroll songs in the comment section!

My Fraternity: http://www.phibetasigma1914.org
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The video includes clips of the vlogger, Corey Jones, strolling to the songs he features. Cory emphasized that these five songs that are used for strolls aren't given in any order. Here are the five songs he showcased:
1. "Back That Thang Up" by Juvenile
2. "Wipe Me Down" by Boosie Badazz
3. "No Hands" by Waka Flaka Flame and Roscoe Dash 
4. "Knuck If You Buck" - Crime Mob
5. Down For My N's - C- Murder
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WARNING: Some of these songs may have lyrics that include profanity and other references  that aren't suitable for children.     
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The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the governing council for historically Black (African-American) fraternities and sororities. "The Divine Nine" is the informal referent for NPHC as that council consist of five fraternities and four sororities.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision -  August 5, 2024

This pancocojams post presents information about historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) strolls and showcases two YouTube vlogs that list songs that are often used for these strolls.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for these vlogs are also included in this post.

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

The information in this post is intended to help "flesh out" (provide more information) about the experience of participating in and/or observing fraternity and sorority strolls, and especially those strolls that are performed by members of historically Black Greek letter organizations.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and these vlogs. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks also to the publishers of these videos and these vlogs on YouTube. 
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Click the African American fraternity and sorority stepping and strolling tag below for other pancocojams posts about strolling, including unity strolls, and stroll offs (competitive strolls). 

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INFORMATION ABOUT HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITY AND SORORITY STROLLS
by Azizi Powell, latest revision: August 6, 2024

."Strolling'" is a processional "dance" that is performed by two people or (usually) a group of people. Strolls originated with and are mostly still associated with members of historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs). 

Strollers form a single line and move in a circular or forward to a recorded song. The earliest term for these strolling performances is "party walks". The term reflects the history of these processions which were first performed at parties and other non-competitive social events . The term "party walks" is sometimes still used in 2024, but strolls are now either competitive or non-competitive activities.  

Strolls may be performed by members of one BGLO, or by more than one BGLO whose members stroll separately at the same time and basically in the same space. Members of more than one historically Black Greek letter organization may also stroll together in what are called "unity strolls". 

"Party walks" may have been performed around the mid or late 1980s and early 1990s at parties and other social events that were hosted or attended by a member or members of historically Black Greek letter fraternities or sororities. My daughter has shared with me that she remember being at parties in the early 1990s when strolls (the called "party walks") would happen seemingly spontaneously out of the blue, without any record playing, but with some members of a certain sorority or some members of a certain fraternity making their calls, "throwing" (making) their hand signals, and moving in a vertical line through the party spaces.

The term "party walks" may still be used for historically Greek letter organization strolls. But by at least the mid 1990s, step teams representing historically Black Greek letter organizations strolled on stage during step shows to an African American Dance/R&B/Hip Hop record and exited the stage at the end of their step show to another record. Eventually, by the late 1990s, BGLO "strolls" became a feature of  competitive or non-competitive programs, similarly to step shows. In addition, planned (scheduled, not spontaneous) strolls became an expected part of Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU) Greek week outdoor activities.

HOW BGLO STROLLS ARE PERFORMED
Strollers form a vertical line and usually move in a circular or forward moving, follow-the-leader manner to the accompaniment of one of a select group of African American dance/ R&B/Hip Hop records. While strolling, the members perform movements that are distinctive to their organization, including "throwing" their organization's hand sign. The strollers are usually silent, except for possibly vocalizing their organization's signature call. Their facial expressions are usually confident, proud, and focused (since they are prompting their organization by these public strolls.) 

Non-competitive strolls (referred to as "unity strolls") are also performed in a university yard (courtyard), in the gymnasium during half-time of a university basketball game, or at other formal and informal events and gatherings. "Unity strolls" usually consists of multiple fraternities or sororities performing strolls in their own (separate) lines at the same time. Alternatively, unity strolls may consist of members of multiple Greek letter organizations strolling together in one vertical line, in usually staggered placements  (a member of one organization standing behind a member of another organization). Some historically Black Greek letter organization strolls include members of PWIs (predominately White institutions) fraternities and sororities. 

Specific historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities have one Hip Hop song that is closely associated with their organization (such as "Atomic Dog" that is associated with members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and "Set It Off" that is associated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)  Certain other Hip Hop songs may be used by any (or each) of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that are part of the "Divine Nine" (such as "Knuck If You Buck") However, the popularity of certain songs that are used for BGLO strolls may differ depending on which state or region of the United States the chapter of the fraternity or sorority is in. Also, while some songs used for strolls continue their popularity over time, other songs that were used for strolls in past years have been retired.

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*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-did-historically-black-greek.html "When Did Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity & Sorority Stepping Begin?" for information about the history of historically Black Greek letter organization "steppin", including quotes from Elizabeth C. Fine's 2003 book "Soulstepping, African American Step Shows". Here's one quote from that book:
"Page 87

"Groups frequently enter [the step show stage] to popular music, often performing what black fraternities and sororities label “party walks” and what Latino Greek organizations call “strolls”. [Jacqui] Malone defines a party walk as an ‘organized line movement performed around the floor at a party.” Party walks and strolls may or may not include the characteristic stomping and clapping of stepping, but they are performed to music."
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Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/10/black-greek-letter-fraternities.html for a pancocojams post entitled "Black Greek Letter Fraternities & Sororities Unity Steps & Unity Strolls (information & videos)"

And click the African American fraternity and sorority steppin and strolling tag for more pancocojams post about strolling. 

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COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THE SHOWCASE VIDEO GIVEN ABOVE 
(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)
1. Sincerely Taylor, 2018
"I'm from florida, i don't hear no hands too often, but they always stroll to nasty song by lil Ru"
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"The Nasty Song" by Lil Ru (Hip Hop; 2009)

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REPLY
2. Corey Jones, 2018
"I can see that! No hands is really just one of my favorites and a classic at my university. But nationally I can definitely see Nasty Song being a top song."

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3. Jonai Amanai, 2018
"Alabama State (HBCU) probably top 5 would be:

1) Back That Azz Up

2) Knuck if you Buck

3) F them other Ninjas

4) Throwed Off (F Everybody)

5) Wipe Me Down

Coming from a Delta lol
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"Delta" =  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST)

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4. trinibwoy27, 2018
"Corey, what do you call the special stroll each Organization does to their special songs ex. AKAs- Set It Off (Strafe), DST- Got 2 Be Real (Cheryl Lynn) and I've seen Z Phi B stroll a lot to Bad Mama Jamma"
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AKA= Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Z Phi B =Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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REPLY
5. Corey Jones, 2018
"I don’t know if there’s a legit name. I just call them universal strolls. Because everyone in the org will usually learn that special stroll first."

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6. pathwaytojannah, 2018
"Down for my Ninjaz😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂"

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REPLY
7. Corey Jones, 2018
"Gotta keep it PG 😂😂"
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“Ninjaz” is this vlogger's parental guidance (PG) substitution for a form of the “n word”.

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8. Brionna Tolbert, 2019
"Sigmas can stroll to anything tbh 😂😂😂💯
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"Sigmas" = Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

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REPLY
9. Corey Jones, 2019
"I can’t deny that!"

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REPLY
10. Abiola Fernandez, 2020
"And look good doing it."

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11. T’s, 2020
"I feel like the Kappas should have Wipe me down!"
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"Kappas" = Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. (also referred to as "Nupes")

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12. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"Or either Alpha Phi Alpha.. Because that is one of their moves wiping down the legs.. But I think APA  favor Choppa Style by Choppa.. When they stroll to that, girl 😁"

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13. Darren Keaton, 2018
"90's Old Heads....can I get a amen for Bow Down (Ice Cube), Scarred (Luke),  Ruff Ryders Anthem (DMX)"

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14. Myles Jimmar, 2020
""He totally forgot Atomic Dog."

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REPLY
15. Abiola Fernandez, 2020
"Indeed"
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George Clinton's 1982 song "Atomic Dog" is definitely associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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16. Pattrice Gray, 2020
"Wipe Me Down is the Sigma stroll song, whenever you done. I love seeing my Frats stroll to this!"

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17. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"Get it Corey 🕺🏾... My brother is Phi Beta Sigma 🕊💙... You're correct lol... Knuck if you buck,wipe me down,  Choppa Style is missing though lol"

**
18. Darren Keaton, 2020
"90's Old Heads....can I get a amen for Bow Down (Ice Cube), Scarred (Luke),  Ruff Ryders Anthem (DMX)"

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ADDENDUM- VIDEO LINK AND COMMENTS FROM ANOTHER FAVORITE STROLL SONGS VLOG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLa9JtDVHM&ab_channel=SheaMiller

SHEA'S TOP 10 STROLL SONGS! FALL 17, Step In My Office ..

Shea Miller, Dec 30, 2017

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLa9JtDVHM&ab_channel=SheaMiller

SHEA'S TOP 10 STROLL SONGS! FALL 17, Step In My Office ..

Shea Miller, Dec 30, 2017

WHAT'S POPPIN Y'ALL?! Alright Fall 17, it's your time to shine. I know y'all been eager to stroll since you saw the interest meeting flyer go up lol here are my five favorite "classic" stroll songs (i.e. ones that you can't go wrong with) and five current favorite songs. What are YOUR favorite songs? Help me improve my music library lol.

Check out the playlist here http://spoti.fi/2zNpfeX*

All opinions are my own because I paid for this with my own coinssss.
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*That link reverts to this site https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2bmNKaNqpHRlCoshMyIEjc

Top 10 Stroll Songs
Ronieshea Miller
1. Down For My Ni—az*
2. Knuck If You Buck
3. Back That Thing Up** (particularly for sororities)
4. Freaky Girl
5. Wipe Me Down
6. No Limit
7. Pills And Automobiles
8. Bodack Yellow
9. Juice
10. Plain Jane Remix
-snip-
*This form of the “n word” is fully spelled out in this title and is pronounced in that complete form the song

** Shea, the vlogger, said that this song is particularly used for sorority strolls.

Selected comments from this video's discussion threads (with numbers added for referencing purposes. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only)
1. Jeffrey Byrd, 2018
"Wipe me down is definitely the Alphas 😎🤙🏽"
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REPLY
2. Shea Miller, 2018
"Every time that song comes on I hear whistles lol even if nobody has one."

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REPLY
3. Jeffrey Byrd, 2018
"Shea Miller 😂😂 cause you already know Pham"
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“Pham”= vernacular way of spelling a shortened form of the word “family”.

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4. Destinie Jackson, 2018
"you forgot set it off"

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REPLY
5. Shea Miller, 2018
"+JxcT chXll Boosie or Strafe? Lol only time I’ve ever strolled to the Strafe set it off was at practice. They don’t play that one here. Now Boosie? YES!"
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Regarding the sentence “They don’t play that one here.”: Based on her comments in that vlog,  “here” in that comment is “New Orleans, Louisiana”. 

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REPLY
6. kay Jack, 2018
"Destinie Jackson Yes!!My grad chapter(NJ) LOVES the one by Strafe😂💕💚"

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7. Jonathan Still, 2018
"My top 10 (from my Undergrad Year’s 2001-2006)
1. Tussle

2. B.O.B. By OutKast

3. Rep Yo City- Lil Jon

4. Back that Thang Up- Juvenile

5. If You Give A.....- Youngbloodz

6. I Don’t Give A-Lil Jon

7. Throw Yo Hood Up- Lil Jon

8. America’s Most Wanted- Tupac

9. Headsprung- LL Cool J

10. Till I Collapse- Eminem

Honorable Mentions

-Never Scared by Bone Crusher

- Push it Inside of You by Sons of Funk

-No letting Go by Wayne Wonder

**
8. mayabowens12, 2018
"In Florida, when the nasty song play, it's so hard to get out the way cause everyone is strolling!!!😂"

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REPLY
9. Shea Miller, 2018
"+mayabowens12 lmao it’s a dangerous game. DJs need to give warnings lol."

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10. Corey Jones, 2018
"Knuck if you buck is my “Drop everything I’m doing and hop in” stroll. My body just takes over, I can’t control it 😂😂. I might need to get checked out because that ain’t healthy"

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REPLY
11. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Corey Jones see lmao it be dangerous 😂😂"

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12. kay Jack, 2018
"Corey Jones Yes!Fellas knock folks out the way off of this song😂"

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13. Sincerely Taylor, 2018
"The classic stroll songs in Florida are kind of different, but nuck if you buck is surely one of them though."

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14. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Sincerely Taylor what y’all listen to out there?"

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REPLY
15. Sincerely Taylor, 2018
"Shea Miller omg I can't belive you replied! Yay! 😂 but Knuck if you buck, nasty song-lil ru, lifestyle- young thug, wipe me down remix, but alphas stroll to down for my ni—as*. And as for the newer songs, anything Kodak 😂
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment

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REPLY
16. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Sincerely Taylor yasss girl! 😜 but yooo I love nasty song 😂😂 whenever that song comes on I cannot stop myself from doing the stroll we have to it lol. Lifestyle was hot for the moment but ion really hear it anymore. I barely be hearing Kodak too lol or maybe I just don’t pay enough attention."

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17. Adrienne Ellem 2018
"Louisiana rappers make the best stroll songs 🤷🏽‍♀️ BOUNCE MUSIC RULES"

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REPLY
18. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Adrienne Elle 🗣 I SECOND"
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“I SECOND” =  “I definitely agree”

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19. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"Lol.. Facts💯... Choppa Style by Choppa and he from New Orleans, it's practically the towns theme song."

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20. MzSouthernComfort, 2018
"Great video! In Mississippi and Tennessee we don't play when Set It Off comes on...like you said...people...get out of the way!"

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REPLY
21. Shea Miller, 2018
"See lol last thing I want is a bow to the face. I know when to move!"
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“Bow” is probably a typo for “blow”. My guess is that that comment refers to people who are in the path of strollers at a party getting accidentally getting jabbed by elbow movements that those strollers make

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REPLY
22. Brionna Tolbert, 2019
"You not lying"

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23. Jeffrey Byrd, 2018
"Wipe me down is definitely the Alphas 😎🤙🏽"

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24. Shea Miller, 2018
"Every time that song comes on I hear whistles lol even if nobody has one."

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REPLY
25. Jeffrey Byrd, 2018
"Shea Miller 😂😂 cause you already know Pham"
-snip-
"Pham" - a vernacular way of spelling a shortened form of the word "family"

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26. Mikaila Houston, 2018
"Ugh yes! The first time I heard pills & automobiles I immediately thought of nupes 😂"

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REPLY
27. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Mikaila Houston 😂😂 see I knew I wasn’t trippin."

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28. Anastasia Osho, 2018
"I guess I’m old because I was thinking “Bad Mamma Jamma” should have been in the classic top 5 Lol!!!"

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REPLY
29. Shea Miller, 2018
"I never hear that one out around here! Lol that’s a good one though."

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30. Bay Little, 2018
"I'm from Michigan and a lot of greeks here stroll to straight hood music lol. I go to Eastern Michigan, which isn't too far from my hometown Detroit and they be going dumb to all my hood songs. I thought Knuck if You Buck would be first lol. I think that's the top here but Down For My Ni—as* goes hard here too. This was a good video!! Hopefully others follow lol. Your classics are definitely ones that I've heard at greek events! Good job
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

“straight hood songs” = songs that are popular in the ‘hood (urban communities, particularly poor and working class neighborhoods of predominately African American communities)

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REPLY
31. Shea Miller, 2018
"+Bay Little thank you! 💚 when they play the hood songs out here everybody go in to concert mode tryna rap the songs lol."

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32. Jãÿ Smīth, 2018
"Right about #KnuckIfYouBuck I K Psi ⚀💛⚀💛⚀💛⚀💛"

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33. Bball_Boyz, 2018
"Ques can't help but hop to Atomic Dog"
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“Ques”= members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

“Hopping” refers to the way that Ques “step”. Those movements are incorporated in their strolls.

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REPLY
34. Shea Miller, 2018
"Yeah I get out of the way for that one too lol"

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35. Justin Magwood, 2019
"All the Σigma stroll songs but i would replace no hands w nasty song..and u cant forget computer games or cold blooded"

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36. Carlos Nisby, 2019
"That is not a Nupe song (gucci mane)"

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REPLY
37. Shea Miller, 2019
"Definitely opinion based lol it may not be across the board but it’s something I’ve seen before 🤷🏾‍♀️"

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REPLY
38. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"Nupes stroll to it though 😉"

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39. Patrick Mitchell, 2020
"work work don't stop was the play Spr 14"

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40. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"What about Choppa Style... I see Alpha's killing it to this... When that leg goes up, Lord 😍"

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REPLY
41. Shea Miller, 2020
"You like that one huh? 😂😂 choppa style is a good one!"

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REPLY
42. Alicia Hockaday, 2020
"@Shea Miller ... Yes, they get so hype 😂😂.. I am also Southern, from North Carolina."

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43. goofboy96, 2020
"I’ve seen Phi Beta Sigma chapter stroll to Otis by Kanye and Jay Z a lot it was pretty lit!"

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44. NYETHEBRATm 2020
"soon as i hear back that ass up i think of the sigmas fasho 😂"
-snip-
“Fasho”= for sure (meaning- “definitely”)

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45. Jasmine Washington, 2020
"Where’s Choppa Style?"

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REPLY
46. now now, 2020
"Is choppa style only a west coast thing"

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REPLY
47. Princess Mesheaa, 2020
"no it’s an east coast thing actually"

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48. Chazz Shabazz, 2020
"Bro I'm OLD SCHOOL. Don't disrespect THE QUES. Where is ATOMIC DOGG!

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