Examples Of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) Words & Sayings From The Discussion Thread Of A James Brown Line Dance Video

garyjhunter, Jan 15, 2011

Purple Charlotte Steppers doing Super Bad Line Dance [Charlotte, North Carolina]
-snip-
A commenter in this video's discussion thread shared that Anthony T. Simpson is the group's line dance instructor. In this video he is wearing pants and a striped shirt. 

The total number of views for this video as of  April 22, 2023 at 5:33 PM =  8,675,675

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2011 YouTube video of the Purple Charlotte Steppers performing a line dance to James Brown's "Super Bad" record.

This post also documents some comments from that video's discussion thread that include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) sayings, words and/or sentence structures.

Based on their accompanying photographs and some of the comments themselves, most of these comments were posted by Black people. Most of those commenters probably are African Americans.

Among other things, this pancocojams compilation provides some information about how African Americans use/d AAVE, how African Americans view/ed line dancing and how African American view/ed themselves (ourselves).

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to James Brown for his cultural legacy. Thanks to all the Purple Charlotte Steppers and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
According to a commenter in this video's discussion thread, this line dance is called "Super Bad" or "Good Foot". 

Several commenters either referred to this line dance as a "hustle" or wrote that this line dance reminded them of either "The Hustle" or "The Bus Stop".

According to https://socialdance.stanford.edu/Syllabi/Bus_Stop.pdf, "The L.A. Hustle was one of the earliest disco line dances (circa 1974), renamed the Bus Stop when it migrated to the East Coast. It gained media attention when it was published by the first major magazine article on disco (Rolling Stone magazine) in 1975, and then in a disco book the following year. There were many versions of the Bus Stop."...
-snip-
That article mentions the "L.A. Hustle". However, 
https://www.cvideosolutions.com/bridesguide/-origins-of-the-detroit-hustle-dance-a-staple-of-any-good-wedding refers to that dance as the "Detroit Hustle". In the discussion thread for a YouTube video of "The Bus Stop" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqjcIE6XM4g&t=4s  a commenter wrote that that was the New Orleans Bus Stop. This speaks to the last sentence of the socialdance pdf quoted above that "There were many versions of the "Bus Stop". Another commenter in that same YouTube discussion thread wrote "Not the BUS STOP version we danced in the late ‘70’s in my hometown (we called them HUSTLES), but glad this group had fun! 😉👏🏽💃🏽"

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-bus-stop-line-dance-in-1982-chicago.html for the 2022 pancocojams post about a performance of the Bus Stop" line dance In 1982 Chicago, Illinois (led by Chicago DJ Charlie Green)".

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-madison-line-dance-got-its-name-and.html for a pancocojams post about the earliest African American originated line dance named "The Madison". That dance was created in the late 1950s and-to my knowledge, was the earliest horizontal formation African American originated ("soul") line dance.

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SELECTED COMMENTS THAT INCLUDE AAVE FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

Most of the comments in this compilation include examples of  African American Vernacular English (AAVE) sayings, words, and/or sentence structures.

This post doesn't include any definitions for the (AAVE) words or sayings that are showcased in this compilation. This post also doesn't designate the examples of AAVE sentence structure that are found in this compilation.

These comments are given in relative chronological order based on their publishing date, except for replies. Numbers have been given to these comments for referencing purposes only.

Among other AAVE examples, notice the multiple phrases/saying the commenters used to compliment the dancers (steppers) for dancing very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56h2Dk5mmhc

2012

1. Elijahiced
"the lady with the tall black boot and black blouse she be getting down. I love this dance"

**

2. sashofelegance
"They are getting it!!!!! the lady in the tall black boots and the gentleman in the jeans behind her know they are too smooth. They killed it!!!"

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2013

 3. porkchop745
"I can honestly say this is the first time I've seen more than two or three guys participating in a soul line dance."

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Reply
4. garyjhunter, 2014
"porkchop745 LOL, I know bunches of guys that do now. They have huge Line Dance parties in the midwest area."

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2014

5. Karen Randolph
"I loved this- SUPERBAD!!! I liked when the guy walked into the frame, and got right into this dance, and Mr. Gray Stripes had some moves"

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6. loveyouall66
"GO HEAD ON. GET DOWN WITH YOUR BAD SELVES. LINE DANCES CAN BE DONE TO OLD SCHOOL MUSIC ALSO. WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE DONE TO JUNIOR WALKER'S " SHOT GUN." "

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7. Peggy Stoute Morin
"Grandma in the white/beige/yellow sweater is not playing!"

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Reply
8. garyjhunter
"LOL, they all seriously having a good time."

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2015

9. Always In my heart
"Whoo! That's it, baby! The guy at 3:44! Love it! Instead of backing off he knocks it out of the ball park! LOL!"

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10. Bella Singh
"They used to kill this hustle at the Elks lodge in Detroit. Good times."

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11. DankFamous 1
"Get down my man in the bright shirt 

Some one call the fire dept theses dancers are hot and burning up then wooden floor boards"

**

12. Gen Gen
"dude @3:44 slidin' on the good foot!. gohead own bruh!!!"

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13. ArcticHellfire
"That's what I'm talking about!"

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2016

14. jealsa
"Sis in the long-sleeved black shirt, jeans, and dangling earrings took me back to the 70's and I've never even been there!! Get it, Girl!!"

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15. teria84
"Ahhyyyeeee! Now that's how real ole Gs cut a rug! Biggups yawl"

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Reply
16. Asa Faust, 2020
"Just don't cut it too deep.  Talented people having a funky good time."

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2017

 17. Lee Rhode
"The guy in the stripe shirt knows he has it down. The lady in the black high heel boots is killin' it!"

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Reply

18. garyjhunter
"True that!"

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Reply
19. jouvie jacques
"BRAVO for the black lady with boots and glasses"

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Reply
20. Chev Hardy
"I agree! She is killin' it- and working those stiletto boots!"

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Reply
21. Maggie Rae, 2018
"True that. But the guy in the stripe shirt is the instructor for this group. Yessss, he's Super Bad !"

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22. Eva Johnson
"Yessssss, do the All Grow Folks Line Dance"

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Reply
23. garyjhunter

"LOL, we trying!"

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24. Luebla Blacknell
"They are "getting down"-if u can get all those steps- u can do ANYTHING!  lol"

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2018

25. Jordie0001
"Man...why can't my local club have this kind of line dancing ? ?? This is what my body and soul needs bad"

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26. StopIWantOff
"My kinda party!!  Old school at its FINEST!"

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2019

27. Stacy Burrell TMI
"I don't know whats more fun, dancing to this or watching them dance lol! Dude in the front is killing it!"

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28. Crecia Bonner
"Go head y'all!!! 😀  The guy in the red tops reaction tho 🤣🤣 once realizing he was in front of the camera.  Was priceless!!  He just danced on outta the way 😂"

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29. Mark Humpage
"If your going to line dance funk it up ✊too cool 😎"

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30. Carla Summerlin
"I wish I was there to dance with y'all. Y'all made Mr.James Brown, proud. You go Brothers and Sisters!"

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31. A. Nious
"The lady in the front with the jeans and black shirt is dancing with an attitude!!! She is on it!!!!"

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Reply

32. LaTonya Lewis, 2021
"Omg, yes, she's killing it!!!! Love it."

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Reply
33. Unific29, 2021
"Dead on it!!! Mama gettin it!!!!!"

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Reply
34. Jennifer Allen, 2021
"She know she's bad!"

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35. Connie Mcmillian
"Now that’s what I’m talking about a mature grown folks having a Good time"

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36. Kristine
"All time favorite moment was the salmon shirt man James Brown footstepping past the camera.  Where are these guys anymore????"

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Reply

37. garyjhunter
"We don't get together like this regularly anymore, but once in awhile some will meet up."

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Reply
38. Home DivaBeauty, 2021
"@Kristine … Yes, seems like yesterday when someone would have one of those get - down basement or house parties - and these types of brothers would cut up on the dance floor. Such fun and loving times.

Hardly any violence … Black people just coming out to love on each other and have good ‘ol  Fashion Fun.

Oh if we could turn back the clock !💕"

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Reply
39. Yardley J, 2021
"He almost stole the show. He forced me to rewind a couple of times."

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Reply
40. Kristine, 2021
"@Home DivaBeauty  <3 I am back here AGAIN, this makes me smile watching this so much.  I agree, wish we could turn back the clock - and I had an invitation to the above event!!!"

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Reply
41. Kristine, 2021
"@Yardley J  LOL... same..."

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Reply
42. Home DivaBeauty, 2021
"@Kristine  … Hey Sis - know EXACTLY what you mean.
We live in Chicago - home of stepping - Chile 💕👍🏼😂💕"

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43. Ann Williams
"Get down ya"'ll! Great moves."

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44. William Carter
"I miss family, love ya ancestors! Get it family! This beautiful, having fun, love this😘"

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45. latoya sims
"Man in the stripe shirt getting down"

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46. Soprecise 1
"Old school at its best !!!"

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47. Island Girl
"This is Old Skool!!!!!!"

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2020

48. Lesa McCree
"This hustle right HERE has always intrigued me, I just love it!"

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49. One_Teck_C
"This is the FLYEST thing over ever seen! Dance is such a wonderful form of expression. They we’re getting doooown! ✌🏾💃🏽🕺🏾🖤❤️💚"

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50. Genaro Ayala
"Great to see I remember when I did the bus stop in the 70s"

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51. Ann Beckner
"The guy in strip shirt got  moves"

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52. Andrea Holmes
"Jamming😘😘😘"

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53. Denise Mitchell
"Gday luv

Bus stop! In NYC back in the day"

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54. mobayguy
"Stright FUNKY !   Woooooh... Get on the Good Foot !!!"

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55. otherZinc
"They got Fired-Up out there!

Awesome!"

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56. Michele Frye
"Love this Line dance .The Guy in the Stripe (Super Bad my Bro) Your  moves are smoother than butter!"

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57. Dolls Way!!!
"Black Folks be JAMMING."

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58. Ms. J Delivered Diva#1
"So cool so much soul!!!!!"

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Reply
59. bryan nunez

"Even the old heads are getting it!!!"

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60. Not Me But You
"Looks like great exercise and fun all rolled up into one!! I love moving to good old school music, and who better to move to than the Godfather of Soul??!!!"

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61. Layla20
"I fell out when the brother accidentally found himself in the view and two-stepped on through!  😂😂😂"

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62. Avon Rep!
"Oooohhhh.....weeee! Yall doing the damn thang! Wow! I love it!!❤❤❤"

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63. freestyle
"I did this back in the 90s.....birmingham.....great times"

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64. Leslie Wicks
"MACEO! NOBODY CAN GET U ON THE DANCE FLOOR LIKE JAMES BROWN! MY MAN IN THE JEANS WAS GETTN IT!"

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65. Li B
"They tore that dance up!!! Yes, my people. YEEEEEEES!!!!!! 😄"

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66. TheyCallMe Stoosh
"James Brown was all about freestyle movement! This robotic repetitive line dancing trend among black people is a waste of their natural dancing talent. Leave this to the honky tonk bars."

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67. i_4_see
"listen, I literally applauded the woman in the spike 6 inch heels! LOL ... I used to wear me some spiked heels back in the 70's and 80's...and I would get down like no ones business! LOL .. Hmmm - maybe thats why my feet are all curled up and my back hurts like a mo-fo now?!?!? lol@myself ;)"

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68. _ThaButterfly TV
"This just made my wholeeeeeee day. 💕💕💕✨ Love me some James Brown."

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69. Ann Best hangingout
"YESSSSSSS, STRIPED SHIRT DID THAT!!!!!!! LOVE SEEING BLAC FOLKS ENJOYING THEIR SELVES!!!!!!!!!! BLESS UP............"

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Reply
70. yvonne walton, 2021
"Not just black people dancing here"

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71. Michelle Auten
"I love this dance. I add my own flavor and smile like a cheshire cat as I do my dancing thang...... 😉"

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72. View Finder
"Why is this Black Awesomeness just arriving in my feed?!✊🏽 We are Too Lit🔥"

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73. Vincent Lewis
"My people gettin down on it💜"

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74. Sheila Sweeney
"Watch the sista in the jeans & boots!  Cutting a rug!"

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Reply
75. Sunny Island
"I'm always takin anotha look !

She got me havin a good time & I wuznt even thea !"

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76. Double Cross
"I love this video,grown black folks bring hot sauce to the line dancing 🕺.Where ya meet at cause I got 🔥🔥. GIT DOWN 😎"

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77. Butta Love

"The guy is the stripe shirt is killing it he is getting it in"

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78. Virginia Palmer
"I'm ain't hating nobody in the video ...🤔I just wish I knew how to line dance🥺🥺. They all look good 👍"

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79. JULIA GRAY
"HOMIE IN THE STRIPED SHIRT DID NOT COME TO PLAY!!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽"

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Reply
80. Jennifer Allen

"The lady on the other far end with the blue jeans and black blouse working out too!"

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81. Tamara Carroll
"This was 🔥 but I hate line dances!"

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82. Tabitha Watson
"I lov that hustle the man in front with the stripes killing it reminds me of my unk kevin R.I.H lov u I hustle for u 😘😘"

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83. ⭐B.Girl⭐
"AYYYYEEE!!!! GET IT YALL!!!!"

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84. Greg Haley
"One thing about  us we know how to jam"

****
2021

85. 2pac Shakur Amauri
"BRO THAT GOT HIS 15SEC OF FAME TIME PASSING THE CAMERA LMAO 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 CLASSIC"

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86. Mary Walton
"the guy in the striped grey shirt   is off the chain"

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87. charles schauer
"Like the guy in the gray..doing that extra mashed potato move.."

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88. Karen Sherman
"There's always that ONE who shows out and dance as if they own thangs. It's obvious who it is here... BROTHA KILT THAT DANCE!!! 🕺🏾"

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89. Julie Mcalister
"Oh my stars I forgot I left that comment but y'all know what the godfather does to us. Hey y'all I luv the best good footer in the gray jeans and striped shirt. I'd marry that man just to watch him get IT on sugar. Luv this from my home state arkansas. That guy in those grey jeans knows just what he's doing♥️♥️♥️♥️💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💃"

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Reply
90. Candace Jackson The Chosen One And The Awoken One
"Oooh shookie na"

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Reply
91. IAmWisdom Faye
"Well Alright!"

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Reply
92. Karen Otte
"Oh boy Do the Hustle"

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Reply
93. Shoshanna, 2022
"He's so bad, he's got the whole room in a quiet buck dance with him.  It ain't the women noticing so much as the men quietly eye-balling him and trying to snap it up a bit.  They buck dancing.  There are some smooth, sharp women in there dancing too."

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94. T.C.
"Everyone has their own style, yet all are  pretty much together & on time🤗❤️it!! Go JB go!!!"

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95. silhouette entertainer from Judah Israel

"🔥☎️911"

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96. Antonio Brown
"Mane, we tripping! These "old heads" be having FUN!"

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97. Maria Renteria
"funky ladies 🤩🤩🤩"

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98. Rhonda Johnson
"Like James Brown said Black Folks" GOT SOUL AND WE ARE SUPER BAD"!!!❤❤❤🤣"

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99. Freedom Awaits
"Love it. So many different  variations of this style of dance.

I remember the first one called the "Bus Stop" "

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100. Catresha Phelps
"This looks sooooooooo fun and cool 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩"

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101. QBeeBianka Wallace
"I just love 💕 this the first time I seen this hustle I was at a cabaret on the Eastside of Detroit I really want to learn this one ☝️ day cause baby they was getting on the dance floor at the club thanks for sharing this video 🔵🔴🔵🔴💪🏾😘"

**

102. Liz Dawkins
"Babeee they doing that sh-t*. I woulda done tripped and fell a long time ago LOL.... gone black people. James would be proud."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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103. June Watson
"No Body Does it Better Than "WE" Do!
The "O.G.s" of "Steps" & "Soul Train Line

Dancing!💃🤸‍♀️🥳 Yep,Yep!👊💥 👨‍🦱👩‍🦱❤"

****

2022
104. Frances Cunningham
"Now that's what I'm talking about, real music and real dancing 😂💖🕺💃🕴️"

**
105. Byron Jeffery
"Luv line dancing. Its so fun and fun to watch and when older people get out there and start to cut a rug it be on!!!"

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106. jm11hew
"This is so 😎 cool!!"

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107. Zachary Spinks
"Aye!, Best Dance line Ever!, James brown's music is Seriously funky❤️❤️😎✌🏽"

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108. Susan Bowman
"Very smooth, very cool 🤗✨🙏🏽✨🦋🌼🌸🌹🌼💗🌸🌹🌼💗💗🌺"

**

109. Andrew Sampson
"I Love this..  Black ppl having a good time and Innovating at the same time.  We are the Gold Standard."

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110. Leslie Adams
"Sis on the right with jeans and black shirt is on point Yesss!!!!"

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111. Creole Lady
"We do this in Philly especially at senior centers. We call it line dancing."

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112. Laura Quaresimo
"TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE !!!!!!"

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113. RENEE
"We just to move with that groooooove 😎💃🏽💃🏽🕺🏾🕺🏾"

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114. Laura Quaresimo
"That guy in the front is really diggin' the music !!!"

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115. LivingRoomJazz_by_William
"Hey Gary, that ball and chain is the ill part of the move. It seems like you get that, and then you've got the routine cold. Also, is kick-cross-1-2 done to a four count like everything else? Is it done four times"

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116. Diwi
"Lady in the boots was killllinggg 👢👢"

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117. Chelcie Rhodes
"I never seen this dance where I'm from but I like it tho it's smooth"

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118. Xochitl T
"This was the baddest line dance I've ever seen. They are jamming super bad lol ."

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119. Crystal Mason
"Where u at grandma ?!!!"

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120. Peter Morton
"The Original🧚🏿‍♀️🧚🏿🧚🏿‍♂️ Black👤👥🗣 Melanated🌅 People👪🏿"

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121. Lisa M
"Check out the man in the front with the gray on. He's getting his JB ON!!!"

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122. Scott Davis
"Three words...Off the chain!!"

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123. Byron Cole
"I love Me some James Brown 🤎🤎"

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124. Debbie Miller
"Damn puts the Electric Slide to shame!"

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2023

125. Janice Al-Najjar
"Now THAT'S  the sort of line dance I like.! Smooth,funky and classy. Love Mr Orange shirt ( accidentally?😄) walking into shot and shimmying  off sideways!."

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126. CBEST HELPER
"The lady on the far right with the jeans and black top and shorter hair knows exactly what she's doing and why she's out there.  She could tear up the floor all by herself."

**

127. Lisa Johnson
"Now that’s  how y get down with bad selves  🔥🔥🇬🇧💛"

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128. Linda Lewis
"The lady in the black and white printed dress and heels she's getting down baby with that dance!!"

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Reply

129. RJ
"Grown folks getting it in. This what is all about."

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130. Edward Cave
"Now that’s GETTING DOWN"

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131. Bronx Charm
"The guy in the striped shirt is 🔥"

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132. D P
"Good Gawd.. I love black people!😍"

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