Southern University Human Jukebox & Dancing Dolls' Now Iconic 2014 Majorette Dance Line Performance Of "Can You Stand The Rain" (video & comments)

TRIN, Nov. 9, 2014

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band & Dancing Dolls (2014) | vs Texas Southern University | 5th Quarter | November 9, 2014 | Can You Stand the Rain - New Edition | Moves featured in Beyonce's Coachella performance, dancers featured in Beyonce's Lemonade music video series. Video featured in Beyonce ‘HOMECOMING’ Netflix Documentary
-snip-
Statistics as of December 14, 2020 at 8:35 PM ET
total # of views - 4,835,827

total # of likes - 57K
total # of dislikes -1.8K

 total # of comments -2,899

****
Edited by Azizi Powell 

This pancocojams post showcases the now iconic performance of "Can You Stand The Rain" by Southern University's Human Jukebox Marching Band & its Dancing Dolls dance line. 

Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/two-videos-of-historically-black.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Two Videos Of Historically Black Colleges & Universities Majorette Dance Lines And Excerpts About HBCU Majorette Dance Lines".

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
As is the case with other comments threads in this pancocojams blog, I'm interested in documented what is said and also how it is said i.e. the use of African American Vernacular English and the ways that commenters engage with each other. 

Tthese comments are given in without any explanations.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/hbcu-majorette-dance-line-terms.html for a 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Majorette Dance Line Terms".

These comments are presented in relative chronological order with the oldest comments given first except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

2014 
1. Tija Jack
"Kayla is just stunning . Call it what you want, but she's by far the most beautiful & elegant doll Captain we've had . All captains are beautiful ladies.. But Kaylaa? Goshh, i could go on & on"

**
Reply
2. DTO 79
"I agree, she is beautiful, but not the most beautiful and elegant Doll captain, that the squad has had... For examples: Tracey Prince-(Doll captain 1993-95), Gina Jobe- (Doll captain 1996-97) and the Dolls current director, D'Tara, (Doll captain 2009-10) are just a few that have graced the lead position, with beauty and elegance."

**
Reply
3. Tija Jack
"Traci is my all time fav.. her Dtara & Seaera. But by Kayla second year as captain(next year) i think she'll take the cake. She reminds me of traci a little . She gives me 90's , from the stands, hair , uniforms. I can't wait to see what she has in store for next year."

**
Reply
4. Quan Chew, 2015
"@Tee Jack2000 I agree with you 100%. I've seen many Doll captains since 1986, and though they're all rightfully good, I've never seen one like the current one here (Kayla). She has definitely risen the bar, especially with that Doll strut of hers, and believe me, it is a high bar. Her Doll strut, cannot be perfected any better IMO. Also, one can clearly see the passion from within her eyes and face, as she dances.  It's almost as if she's making passionate love through that camera, so the eyes remain fixated like your in a trans. Kayla knows his to please a crowd. You know, some people are born with that "It Factor", Kayla's one of them for"

**
Reply
5. Tija Jack, 2015
"When i tell you the hbcu dance world is about to be on fire!!! Kayla and Asia are both 2 year captains for the dolls & Jsettes and now we have Dominique as the Jsette captain. These 3 ladies will give me all the life i need when they battle. Now i have my calendar marked for October 10th because Asia & Kayla will go at it in Alabama this year! I can't wait!!!!"

**
Reply
6. ILoveMyHIU, 2015
"@Tee Jack2000 The Kayla vs. Asia battle will be legendary among the SWAC dance lines PERIOD."

**
Reply
7. Tija Jack, 2015
"Yessss it will. I have October 10th marked on my calender. But see what i love about both captains is that they support each other so to them it'll be a friendly battle , i know they both will give me life! Lawwd i can't wait"

**
Reply
8. ILoveMyHIU, 2015
"@Tee Jack2000 You and I both. I'm gonna have to remain neutral because both captains are so good you can't even pick sides lol."

**
Reply
9. Tija Jack, 2015
"Yes definitely , i hope she get her oldheads back unless she get some solid crabs."

**
Reply
10. Black BarbieDoll, 2015
"+Tee Jack2000 I absolutely agree with this comment. Kayla has definitely risen the bar for any future captain. She has surpassed Seaera, Traci, and Dtara IMO, and all 3 of these captains slayed. Kayla S. and April just didn't move the fans as much. All previous Doll captains were good, but Kayla is beyond good. She is AMAZING, and is by far the best captain IN THE HISTORY of the "Dancing Dolls" IMO. Kayla is on another level. Most fans could watch her lead the Dolls all night long, and never tire from watching. Her style, grace, Doll strut, intricate moves, presence, sex appeal, confidence, and beauty all makes one bold statement upfront leading the Dolls. She also knows how to work a camera in her favor. I truly hate she missed her opportunity to battle Asia M. (Stingettes captain) for her last rip. Asia truly is on another level as well. Both teams have their own unique styles, and they both slay stands, and field. I especially like the Dolls, because they're not a bucking team. I have nothing against any bucking team, because they slay as well. I just like the fact that the Dolls still manage to slay stands, and field, even without not having to buck. We all will miss Kayla, and Dani (captain/co-captain). These two ladies gave me so much life. They also gave of themselves to entertain us, and for that, they will truly be missed."

**
Reply 
11. David Douglas, 2017
"Black BarbieDoll you've must've never witness Davique Dumars, Kristi Vincent, or Michelle Mulligan, KiKi Ely???. KP was great for her era but to say she surpassed all of her big sisters is silly and laughable. She's an amazing dancing doll but when we get into the intricacies of her technique she's subpar in comparison to former captains. Which some of whom  trained at Alvin Ailey before even becoming a dancing doll. Those  90's captains would dance/perform circles around KP #fact. #NoShade"

**
Reply
12. mcbear2002, 2017
"David Douglas Let's not forget the Rolls Royce of dancing dolls; whom every doll knows is the foundation of doll 101 the amazing Traci Prince-Green."

****
2015
13. Prince Leigh
"Kayla Pitman is beyond beautiful!! This "Can You Stand The Rain" routine for me, shows her precision, control, grace, rhythm, fluidity and beautiful poise more than any other routine!! I mean she wasn't even tempted to show boat and look at the camera once and I'm sure there was more than one camera man down there!! Omg, I can't even call her a girl, THE WOMAN IS BAD!! She looks like a beautiful porcelain black doll!!!!"

** 
14. pearlsnaredrummer77
"Kayla is stunningly beautiful & graceful.   In this video she gives off that old Hollywood royalty vibe-Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, kind of glamour.   Love the Dolls!"

** 
15. Christian Mott
"Twitter and Tumblr brought me straight to this video. Damn, I love HBCU bands so much."

**
16. Jamar
"Randomly ran across this video on Twitter but let me just say this....this captain has TALENT. I could not take my eyes off her. She is so memorizing. Her poise, the fluidity in her moves, and her elegance is out of this world. Hope she sees this! Keep slaying"

** 
17. BornToBeFamed

"Captain killed it ! She was so smooth"

****
2016 
18. ptoyman
"What a vision. The majestic & powerful Human Jukebox sound serving as a backdrop to such breathtaking elegance and beauty.  From the smoothness of the drum major to the loveliness and grace of the Dancing Dolls, this band has it all.  Southern sets the standard and this video is confirmation. Great camera work by the way...you lucky dawg😏😏!!!"

**
Reply
19. TRIN
"thank you"

**
20. Yasser Arch
"The lead dancer is going to be featured in a Beyoncé music video."

**
Reply
21. Edrion Williams
"Omg! How do you know? She deserves it tho, she killed this!"

**
Reply
22. Yasser Arch
"lol The Beyhive knows everything. She is really talented indeed, and I hope but the best for her."

**
Reply
23. MeMe Now
"Can I ask which video?"

**
Reply
24. TRIN
"+Yasser Arch there were 4 dancing dolls in beyonce's lemonade. Kayla, Alyx, Danielle, and Jacqueline"

**
Reply
25. SevenSons, 2017
"@Yasser Arch​ Actually it was 4 in her lemonade and formation video. Also the 2017 Captain danced with Beyonce in the Super Bowl doing "Single Ladies" back in 13 as a High School Senior. The girls did an amazing job!"

**
26. AZ A21
"I come here once a week just to receive my life. This video is Legendary."

**
Reply
27. Fountain Media
"Yes it definitely gives you life."

**
Reply
28. Damaris Carter, 2017
"YES anyone know the type of dancing?"

**
Reply
29. Latisha Smith, 2017
"I believe it's called j setting...it's like the dancing bey does"

**
Reply
30. raystar, 2017
"Hunnie I come here once a day to receive my blessings!! Let church say YEAAAAAAHHHH"

** 
31. Terrance Martindale
"This is a night where everything just fell into place for everyone. It was a MOMENT and Ms. Kayla Pittman shined like a star. Black queens. It was almost fantasy like to watch in a way. I just can't describe it"

 
****
2017 
McKenzie Mowoe
32. "if you are new and haven’t watched this, here is some information before you start some bs.

This is the Human Jukebox.

They are a HBCU collegiate dance team, not strippers, majorettes, or cheerleaders.

They are not hoes.

They have an education, 3.0 or higher boo.

They are very classy, not trashy. If you think that, go watch another HBCU dance team.

Enjoy the video."

**
Reply
33. Vincent B
"Tell them McKenzie"

**
Reply
34. VIN CENT, 2019
"I mean I think they qualify as majorettes lol they are doing stands and catch-ons"

**
Reply
35. Parissdiy, 2020
"they do clarify as majorettes but the put the standard up there"

**
36. ETFbvbAA
"The girl in the front is gorgeous 😱 she looks like a movie star."

**
Reply
37. Mckaela Harper, 2019
"She looks like Marilyn Monroe a little :)."

**
Reply
38. THE VOICE, 2019
"@Mckaela Harper More like someone classy and a black beauty Ms. Dorothy Dandridge!"

**
Reply
39. Elisa George, 2019
"@Mckaela Harper Yep. The Beautiful Different facial expressions while dancing to this song. And the way her  hair fall in her  face.  Definitely sex appeal of Marlyn Monroe ."

**
Reply
40. Elisa George, 2019
"@THE VOICEAfter reading your comment.  I looked up Mrs. Dorothy Dandridge. Beautiful Woman! Kayla fit her. I'm gonna research her more. I'm only familiar with Mrs. Josephine Baker. Thanks for info. ✌️be unto you"

**
Reply
41. Kourt Nee, 2019
"The power of MAKEUP"

**
Reply
42. Phomolo Maselela, 2019
"@Kourt Nee dont be jelly. She is beautiful periodt."

**
Reply
43. Nice One, 2020
"@THE VOICE Marilyn Monroe was a big supporter of civil rights and what she did for Ella Fitzgerald and other black singers is the reason I would not say she was not classy. She stood up for black entertainers at a time when it was not popular to do so. She also visited black orphans and used her voice to do good for the black community."

**
Reply
44. Shaean, 2020
"Her grace and moves remind me of Aaliyah/Josephine baker"

****
2018
45. Lorenzo Artadi
"I appreciate that last girl that took her tiiiiiimmmmeeee"

**

46. Black Beauty
"I see where Beyoncé got her inspiring dance moves at Coachella ❤️"

**
Reply
47. Tiff'sTravels2012, 2019
"Her performance was homage to HBCUs. The band, the dancers, you didn't catch that?"

**
48. Priceless Renee
"I might be tripping but I think they were the band Beyoncé used for Coachella"

**
Reply
49. Collins Collins
"Queen Priceless she used a mixture of the south bands (HBCU)  southern university,(Louisiana) Prairie View A&M (Texas) Jackson State (Mississippi) etc all mixed together"

**
50. Jay T. Bull
"Beyonce literally added the 8 count @ 1:46 into her performance for Coachella during her Crazy In Love song! I instantly knew where it came from once she did it! BEAUTIFUL!"

**
51. Salena Hose
"Damn that was all kinds of sexy. And no twerking involved."

**
Reply
52. Diane McQuay, 2019
"Salena Hose OR BUCKING!!!"

**
53. Kari Bennett
"I love ❤️ how classy the ladies look"

**
54. Deja Branham
"This video will forever be iconic."

**
55. Harlem139Convent1
"This is the video that everyone was hating on, on Facebook!! They were mad about the outfits those beautiful, intelligent, queens were wearing!!"

**
56. Migel Vazkez
"That is ONE fine looking sista."

**
57. Tank & MiLton
"The Captain tho 🙌🏾 baby did that ❤️❤️❤️❤"️

**
58. Big House Family
"I’m cringing imagining how colddddd it was for them"

**
Reply
59. TRIN
"Big House Family | Wasn’t cold this day. Louisiana weather. Lol"

****
2019
60. Hailei A. Hall
"I always love to watch this video. There is an ease of dancing, elegance and smoothness to how she dances! Her moves are precise and she’s sure of herself! This is how any dance team should look! Yesss!"

**
61. Lorenzo Caldean
"i go chills..those dancers were SO BEAUTIFUL..elegant..FEMININE...everything they say black women are not"

**
62. Blanca Muñoz
"Why they are so gorgeous?? Is it a requirement?"

**
Reply 
63. Tanecia Moniqué, 2020
It actually is lol.. The Band Director before this current director was over the whole program for like 4 or 5 decades. He was extremely strict with the girls appearances and skills. You have to be trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical to even try out. Their image is to move graceful, be elegant and look like a Doll while being intelligent. Hence the name "Dancing Dolls". They aren't as strict as they used to be from what I heard but they still have a standard."

** 
64. The Kendom
"Who else has learned this routine and follows Kayla by doing the stands in the living room lol"

** 
65. Joy 2 Tha World
"Like milk and honey baby. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽❤❤❤❤yasss, loved this routine. Captain killed it so gracefully."

**
66. COX GYRL
"MY BEAUTIFUL QUEENS AND KINGS STANDING OVATION!!!"

**
67. Amari Inasad 
"I deadass screamed at the top of my lungs when I saw this video featured in Bey’s Homecoming Docu. 😆😆😆😆"

**
Reply 
68. QueenUNLIMITED
"I had to pause the doc! I almost couldn't breathe."

**
Reply
69. Amari Inasad
"QueenUNLIMITED You would’ve thought I was being attacked with an axe! And then I bout passed out when I saw Chelsea Mitchell’s cameo from the stingettes. I can’t even fathom how overjoyed Chelsea is!"

**
70. Jade Y, 2019
"5 years later & this video is still everything!!!! Literally a historic black moment! KP will forever & always be the GOAT for this one."

**
71. Jass Shanae
"Can’t believe this video was featured in Beyoncé movie on Netflix 😩😍 for the Culture for sure ! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾"

** 
72. AmiAlice
"Lawd the girl in the front looks absolutely timeless!!!"

**
73. Nate Barnes
"lil baby at the end stretched that thang out didn’t she.. lol✊🏽"

**
74. bizzyfit
"The band sounds AWESOME. What these youngins know about New Edition?!"

** 
75. Kelli Mitchell
"ik y’all saw how they sat down😫"

** 
76. Røsë Estëllä
"Why is no one talking about how amazing the band was"

** 
77. Brittany Jackson
"This is awesome and why I love. Being from the south.  You dont see this up north. Also, can we give them all a round of applause for being healthy and in shape . Yaas sis"

**
78. Tyesa Rhodes
"Thank you for reppin' NE! NE4life"

** 
79. msllubin8
"This is really nice....I'd hurt my back trying to do all those damn snake like movements lol"

****
2020
80. Malik Somers
"I remember someone shared this on Facebook in 2016 and I’ve been in love with it ever since. The fierceness of Kayla Pittman leading those effortlessly beautiful dancers with the strong smooth sounding band! It’s 2020 and I’m still shook."

**
81. Maddy Cameron
"Everytime I come across the video ( pretty often) the views have went Up by a thousand. People need to stop sleeping on hbcus"

**
82. Misty Norman
"My Gaaaawd they ate this up,omg the way they throw their counts is everything and my girl in the front is Stunning"

**
83. Erik Perkins
"Fun fact At 1:46 Beyonce used that Choreograph for her crazy in love Coachella performance"

**
84. childishgrey
"it’s between the captains hair , these uniforms , how good the band sounds , the squeal , the angle , the lighting , so many things went so well in this video that made it arguably the most iconic stand video of all time"

**
85. tfive24
"Man, playing this type of music in college, I really missed playing it. I played trumpet and mellophone in a black high school, but went to a pwc"

** 
86. Kourtney Johnson
"The fact that they didn't even know that the band was going to play this song is what makes it even better.  No practice,  they just had to go off of the music. Musicality at 100!"

**
Reply
87. crissy4445
"They definitely did practice 😂😂 just not to this music"

**
Reply
88. Natasha Soko
"@crissy4445 I think she was trying to say that in practice this song was never played by the band and also they only heard the band play this specific song for the first time that very night, so the captain's (Kayla's) musicality was on point because she didn't know how the band was gong to go about playing that song (tempo, breakdowns etc). The former Dolls who danced in that year explained so. Otherwise they do have regular practice 😊"

**
Reply 
89. crissy4445
"Natasha Soko Yeah that’s what I was saying 😂❤"

**
Reply
90. Natasha Soko
"@crissy4445 ok I see, it's all good hehe. Xx"

**
91. D. Miller
"And she moves like waves in water 🌊 ...it was hypnotic 😯"

** 
92. cee eumo
"As RuPaul would say "U better Work" "

**
93. George Frazier 
"I have a question what do the ladies do after being on the dance team in college do they teach dance go on board way and dance❓"

**
Reply 
94. BlackButterFlyAquari
"George Frazier All of the women have regular classes and are studying for their careers, this is something extra to do on the side but some do become choreographers after they graduate college."

**
95. Passin Owt
"Black women created this style of dancing that has the world in awe...."

**
Reply
96. It’s Leiana
"Ikr💯❤️🖤💯✨✨✨but whatever the girls name who was dancing in this video up front"

**
Reply
97. Jade Hughey
"It’s Leiana Kayla Pittman"

**
Reply
98. Passin Owt
"@It’s Leiana her name is Kayla Pittman and her captain Dance style has been called “MILK” it’s so smooth and sexy. Thank you Beyoncé for sending us here over and over ... btw Southern’s Band Admin and the Doll Sponsor were hatin on Kayla smh...but Beyoncé gave her the last laugh INTERNATIONALLY"

**
99. Aura of Spirit
"When the girl in the front goes to sit down I always yell out "yes ma'am!!!" LOL"

**
100. Nicole M
"How could ANYBODY thumbs down?!?. Everyone, every lady, every note, every musician, every hair was perfection!"

**
101. KHANI MOON
"This looks like from a movie 😭"

**
102. Mia Rose
"Outstanding performance both the band and dancers!!!!"

**
103. AnointedShepherd of Yahuah
"THIS WAS INSPIRATIONAL...MADE ME FEEL STRONG..."

 **
104. Jared Grimes
"There's cheerleaders. And then There's these ladies!👀"

**
105. Elle Bella2011
"That is called poetry in motion. Great job ladies."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.