803 Fresh - "Boots on the Ground" ("Where Them Fans At")

803Fresh, May 15, 2025 #wheredemfansat #BootsOnTheGround #803Fresh

803Fresh - Boots On The Ground (Official Music Video) -snip-

The audio version of Boots on the Ground by 803Fresh was released on: December 20, 2024. -snip- Total # of views for this video as of December 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM EST -21,601,119 Total # of comments as of 10:02 AM EST-7,991. **** Edited by Azizi Powell Latest Revision - December 17, 2025 This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that showcases the official YouTube video of 803 Fresh's song "Boots on the Ground".* This song is also known by its repeated line "Where Them Fans At" to distinguish it from multiple other songs with the "Boots On The Ground" title. *The original publication of this post showcased the YouTube sound file of 803Fresh's song "Boots On The Ground". This pancocojams post presents information about 803 Fresh, and information about the music genre for his hit song "Boots On The Ground". The lyrics for this song is also included in this post. This pancocojams post presents my guesses about the meaning of the phrase "boots on the ground" in the context of that song. In addition, this post presents my unofficial transcription of the lyrics for the portion of that song that is used for line dances along with elected comments from this video's discussion thread. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/02/80s-freshs-boots-on-ground-soul-line.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases seven YouTube videos or YouTube video examples of 803 Fresh's "Boots On The Ground" ("Where Them Fans At?") soul line dance. The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners Thanks to 803 Fresh for composing and performing this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. **** INFORMATION ABOUT 803 FRESH From https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdDacMKXAzW3RYQN1EH8shw "Douglas Furtick a.k.a. 803 Fresh was born in Augusta Georgia on February 19 1990. he grew up in Hollow Creek a place in the Wagener-Salley area. At 8 years old, Douglas started singing publicly at the Union Hill Baptist church with the persuasion of his mother.. Upon his father’s passing at 14 , he joined a local community choir called The Cedar Brach Association Youth Choir, where he toured the most part of the east coast.Soul music was always present in his life so as time progressed, Douglas slowly started coming into his own. He was then discovered by a group of individuals with a likeminded vision, called Snake Eyez Music Group and from there he would begin to conquer the Southern Soul genre, touring multiple cities and states singing Southern Soul music. Working with names like King George, Charmeka Joquelle and Frank Johnson, 803Fresh has stamped his way across the genre, particularly naming his rendition of the genre “ Carolina Soul” " **** INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GENRE OF MUSIC 803Fresh's "Boots On The Ground" is an example of Carolina Soul (i.e. Southern Soul music). Southern Soul music can also be categorized as Black (African American) Trail Ride music . Soul line dancing is one of the preferred way of dancing to African American Trail Ride music.
Here's information about Black Trail Rides: from https://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/comments/ylifpd/black_traditions_trail_rides_are_a_country"Black Traditions: Trail Rides are a country party featuring a horseback procession, zydeco music (increasingly with a hip hop fusion), dancing and feasting - attendees can number thousands, many returning to the South from cities across the country."
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_trail_rides
"African American trail rides, or Black trail rides, are rural parade-like celebrations that commemorate the traditions of Black cowboys and formerly enslaved African Americans who were skilled in caring for and training livestock.[1] The tradition is found in the African American communities of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama.

Creole trail rides in Louisiana and Texas typically feature a "procession, zydeco music, dancing and feasting."[2] The annual Step-N-Strut trail ride in St. Landry Parish has been described as "the Creole Woodstock."[2] Trail rides are increasingly popular in Mississippi.[3]"...

** INFORMATION ABOUT THE #803 IN THIS ARTIST'S NAME "803" is the telephone area code for Central South Carolina, including the capitol city of Columbia".... (source: Google Search) **** LYRICS- "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" (803 Fresh)Lord have mercy the Wizard got them bang live in the building yeah yeah I dance my heart dancing huh you ready where them fans at where them fans at where them fans at where them fans at hit me one time oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground boots on the ground oh oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground boots on the ground where the fans at get up out your seat let your body move cowboys and cowgirls they're feeling that groove sipping on Moonshine fire fire rolling i'mma get behind that thing girl and hold it hold it hold it hold it oh oh oh oh got my boots on the ground boots on the ground yes sir where them thangs at oh oh oh oh oh got my boots on the ground boots on the ground fans please where them thangs at hope you got good knees cause we gonna get it up everybody's dancing to that juke joint love hold on to your wig hold on to your man cause the step is in the building y'all and they throwing them fans come on whoa oh whoa oh whoa got my boots on the ground boots on the ground yeah where the band at oh got my boots on the ground baby boots on the ground wait a minute huh where them fans at boots on the ground huh kicking up some dust kicking up some dust boots on the ground kicking up some dust wait a minute now where them fans at where them fans at where them fans at hit me one time hit me two time oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground boots on the ground yeah yeah oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground boots on the ground man let me do that one more time for the ones who ain't hear me boots on the ground kicking up some dust boots on the ground kicking up some dust wait a minute now where them fans at where them fans at where them friends at hit me one time hit me two time oh oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground oh wait a while yeah oh oh oh oh oh I got my boots on the ground oh my yeah yeah boots on the ground where them fans at where they at boots on the ground where them fans at where them fans at where them fans at oh*

[Source- These lyrics are included in the summary for this song's official YouTube video.]
 

**** WHAT "HAVING YOUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND" MEANS IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS SONG In military terms, "having boots on the ground" means having soldiers in a particular place to wage war or provide military support. "Boots on the ground" does not have that any military meaning in 803 Fresh's song "Boots On The Ground" song. Instead of military boots, 903 Fresh's song refers to Western style (cowboy/cowgirl) boots. My position is that 803 Fresh's "Boots On The Ground" song is an ode to (a representation and celebrating of) Southern Soul cowboy and cowgirl culture. On a deeper level, in the context of this song "having your boots on the ground" may also mean that the person has their "two feet on the ground" and/or that the person is "standing on business". Here's a portion of the Google results (AI overview) for the idiom "two feet on the ground" (retrieved February 7, 2025) : "Has both feet on the ground" is an idiom that means someone who is practical, sensible, and realistic. It can also mean that someone is able to take care of themselves and see things as they are."

Here's a portion of the Google (AI overvieq) for the idiom "standing on business" (retrieved February 7, 2025) : "Standing on business" means to firmly uphold your responsibilities, commitments, and personal values, essentially "walking the walk" and not just "talking the talk"; it signifies taking action and following through on what you say you will do, often in the context of maintaining boundaries and prioritizing your own needs in personal or professional situations.

Key points about "standing on business":

Action over words:

It emphasizes doing what you say you will do rather than just making empty promises.

Personal integrity: It implies sticking to your core values and not compromising on your principles.

Setting boundaries:

In relationships, "standing on business" can mean clearly defining your limits and not allowing others to cross them.

Recent slang popularity: This phrase has gained significant traction on social media, often used to express a sense of self-respect and taking charge of one's life." **** WHAT "WHERE THEM FANS AT?" MEANS IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS SONG The lyric "Where ya fan at?" refers to the relatively new custom (around 2016 ) African American (Soul) line dancers custom of holding a folding fan while they dance. The line dancers "pop" that fan (flick their wrist so that the fan makes a percussive popping sound) when they hear particular lyrics in the recorded song that they are dancing to.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/03/what-ten-toes-down-standing-on-business.html for the pancocojams post entitled "What "Ten Toes Down" & "Standing On Business" REALLY Mean (Information & Comments)" Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/06/african-american-soul-line-dancing-with.html for the pancocojams post entitled "African American (Soul) Line Dancing With Folding Fans ("Popping Fans")."
****
LYRICS- BOOTS ON THE GROUND *
(composed by 803Fresh) 

..."Where ya fans at?
Where ya fans at?
Where ya fans at?
Where ya fans at?
Hit me one time.

Oh oh oh whoah  
Got my boots on the ground, yeah
Oh oh oh oh oh oh whoah 
Got my boots on the ground
Where them fans at?

Get up out of your seat.
Let your body move.
Cowboys and cowgirls
Feelin the groove,
Sippin on moonshine
While you barrel rollin.
Get behind that fan, girl
And hold it, hold it, hold it"...

*This is my attempted transcription of the portion of 803Fresh's song "Boots On The Ground" that is .   usually used for line dance videos and video shorts of that song. I haven't found those lyrics or the complete lyrics for this song online as of the publishing date of this pancocojams post.

"Where them fans at" is also given as "Where em fans at" and "Where dem fans at" (meaning "Where are the fans?")

Additions and corrections to this transcription as well as a transcription of the entire song is very welcome.   

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THIS PANCOCOJAMS POST 
Brief explanatory notes may be given after a few of the comments in this compilation.
Notice that many of these comments are shout outs to the commenter's city or state (in the United States).
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only

December 2024- January 2025

1. @tashaburgess3753
"I love this song!!! And I absolutely LOVE how we have taken our country culture back!!! 🥰🥰"

**
Reply
2. @ceejohnson1520
"Say it AGAIN, Sis!❤❤❤❤"
**
Reply
3. @GoddessYemaya
"YASSSSS BEEN TIME SIS👌🏾💯👏🏾💯👏🏾💯👏🏾💯👏🏾💪🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥✊🏿❗"
**
Reply
4. @Gullahbae, February 2025
"Most of us in the South never abandoned it! 🖤💚💛💙"

**
5. @geerob310
"STL here for it, Baby, but Mississippi is my home! #SouthRepresent"
-snip-
"STL" =St. Louis, Missouri
**
6. @Brandon-o4p1h
"Remind old throwback oldies early 80"s songs"
**
7. @BrendaMartin-n4e
"This song go so hard"

**
8. @menjouclayton4550
"This got all the black Cowboys and Cowgirl moving and kicking up dust everywhere. Even the ones with just a lil country in them get to get in on it"
**
9. @CITYBOY2XX
"Ayeeeeeeeeeee   this the jam you play with yo boots on om a Saturday morning I got mines on country boy and cityboy wearing his brand new boots to this jam"

**
10. @terrencemgentry
"South Kack stand up in them boots!!!"
-snip-
"South Kack" - and informal African American referent for the state of "South Carolina".
**
11. @yolandajohnson908
"SC Geechee gyal here🎉🎉🎉🎉 done ordered me some new boots, hat and fans!"
-snip-
"Geechee gyal" =Geechee girl. Here's information about the referent "Geechee" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullah
"The Gullah (/ˈɡʌlə/) are a subgroup of the African American ethnic group, who predominantly live in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida within the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. Their language and culture have preserved a significant influence of Africanisms as a result of their historical geographic isolation and the community's relation to its shared history and identity.[2]

Historically, the Gullah region extended from the Cape Fear area on North Carolina's coast south to the vicinity of Jacksonville on Florida's coast. The Gullah people and their language are also called Geechee, which may be derived from the name of the Ogeechee River near Savannah, Georgia.[3]"...

**
12. @Sandra-n2v5p
"Love this. My first time hearing this ❤ I saw girls dancing to it on tic tok"
**
13. @williebivins4520
"❤❤.,.Flint, Michigan In The House !!!!"
**
14. @Gmoney-ch7wu
"South Carolina in the building"
**
15. @johnforee4066
"We've been waiting for this here in the Midwest. Hell of a job 803 Fresh."
**
16. @georgiajones7991
"Texas down here boot stomping with the fans🐎🐎"
**
17. @TheWilliamsFamilyOf5
"Louisiana check in … ooooooooooooooooo I got my boots on the ground where them fans at👢 👢 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽"
**
18. @ms.tweety5337
"🔥🔥IM FROM THE WINDY CITY CHICAGO & I LOVE❤ THIS SONG 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾"

**
19. @buddiemac3827
"I got my boots in California . This song is 🔥🧯"
**
20. @aaronwhite1682
"Like if you from Texas and your boots stay on da ground !! 🪭🪭🪭🪭🪭"
-snip-
"stay on the ground"= are always on the ground (The person is always an example of a person who "has their boots on the ground".
**
21. @PrettiPurpleRaiYn_19.99
"Two things:

His Intro said  “I’ll dance by myself” 

I knew he was standing on total business after that.. lol

 “WHERE THEM FANS AT?!!!!”

👢💃🏽👢🪭⁉️⁉️"
**
22. @boogeyman8412
"This sht got SC trail riders in a chokehold"
-snip-
This is the way this comment is given in that discussion thread. That comment means that South Carolina's (Soul) trail riders are very enthusiastic about this song. 
**
23. @SacramentoActionNews
"My local radio station been playing the hell out of this on the country music channel 😂"

**
24. @cherylburnett5059
"NORTH CAROLINA  ON THIS TOO!!!!! 😊"
**
25. @KychnMonsta
"I'm from Chicago, and love this. Reminds me of my Mama and Dad, both from Mississippi. So, I am city country folk ❤❤"
**
26. @glamd-x4v, February 2025
"Yassssss Mississippian here ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤"

**
27. @rodriquezdunbar2764
"803 represent ! 🔥"
**
28. @baronsnider7908
"SC we cuttin the hell up yessuh"
-snip-
"cuttin up" (cutting up) =African American Vernacular English phrase meaning "playing around", "engaging in lighthearted, mischievous play"  

**
29. @shavonwoods
"💃🏿💃🏿👢 NY has entered the chat"
**
30. @kpreyer1271
"GET IT SOUTH KACKY !!!! LOVE MY BOOTS 👢 😍 💙 ❤️ ON THE GROUND 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 HIT THEM FANS"
**
31. @qyip9624
"Biloxi,Ms kicking up dust💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I love dis song"

 **
32. @arielsoldit
"Love SC putting the world on Southern Soul"
**
33. @VivianVee3
"MY 👢👢GONE STAY ON THE GROUND ALL 2025 💃🏾🪭💃🏾"
-snip-
"gone" = "gonna" (going to)
**
34. @karencorley2805
"South Carolina showing out ❤❤❤"
-snip-
"show out" = a superlative statement meaning that a person or people are doing their absolute best, particularly compared with other people (and/or even their own) presentations/performances. This phrase is often paired with the phrase "showed up" meaning 'came to a particular place" (i.e.  "showed up and showed out")
**
35. @davidwillis6972
"Macon ,GA  love it too"
**
36. @tarshagreene4661
"Florida💃💃❤🌴"

**
37. @deborahmangum3383
"Raleigh NC, kick up some dust💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽"
**
38. @tonoahmoore8823
"Greensboro in the house😊"

**
39. @aNtJones39150
"Mississippi #FleetDJs APPROVED"

**
40. @phenomenalkay4873
"Yes sir NC finna put dem bootz da ground"
-snip-
"Finna" = African American Vernacular English word meaning "getting ready to" (also given in some African American regions as "fixing to)

**
41. @PamelaroseGervin
"Yasssssss🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I'm a city girl turn country ❤"
-snip-
"Yas" is a contemporary way of saying "Yes". Adding letters usually at the end of a word increases that word's strength.
**
42. @justinamiller6534
"Baby, Im checking in from New Orleans! I love this hit😍💯‼️"

**
43. @monroeross6802
"I’m from Baltimore and I love this can’t wait to find a place to come do this dance"

**
44. @GoddessYemaya
"🔥👢🔥👢🔥🥾🔥🥾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👌🏾 #BringOurCountryMusicBackHome"

 **
45. @lisawilliams7948
"Tampa want all the smoke"
**
46. @djbabyfaceatl
"SC I’m gonna spin this in ATL !! Let’s go !!"
-snip-
"ATL" = Atlanta, Georgia

**
47. @AprilGreen-x6i
"This has an Funky -Groove to it…. 💃💃💃"
**
48. @yvetteparks9106
"New York City!!! Boots on the ground"
**
49. @bigghood3952
"They requesting this in Va! BLAZING HOT"
-snip-
"VA" =Virginia
**
50. @shawnieceeppes9745
"Just heard this song on Facebook . Been on repeat from the 434/804 (VA)"
**
51. @sherettamoss4156
"Ayyyyyeeeeee...I got my boots on the ground!!!!"
-snip-
"Ayee"= an exclamation of enthusiasm and support (pronounced like the letter "a" in the words "day", "say", "plaY" etc, but usually elongated as shown in that example.
**
52. @alittleunhingedScorpio
"I'm definitely learning the line dance for this summer"
-snip-
Several people have choreographed Soul line dances for 803Fresh's "Boots On The Ground". As is the case with most Soul line dances, one way of doing this line dance may be more popular than the others, but there's (usually) no official way of doing this line dance.
**
53. @MamieMcCray
"803 South Cackalacky got them boots on the ground and dem fans popping babé❤"

**
54. @CeleneGilbert-et2qh
"Loving this from Philly 🎉😊"

**
55. @RaaDgs
"The music culture is strong in South Carolina. And has been since before ive been even born. You gotta fill up that james brown arena"

**
56. @SherryFloyd1128
"New Jersey here for it"

**
57. @keelalee4693
"Detroit MI, This is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥  WHERE DEM FANS AT!! 💃 💃 💃 💃"
**
58. @MonicaSanders-l1u
"Louisiana in the house ❤"

**
59. @MARYLAZARO-b5u
"HEYYYYYYYYYY Turn🥃🥃🆙The BURG,I Love This Song💃🏾🕺🏾🎼🎵 🎶 🔊,It's Beautiful😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯"
-snip-
"The burg" = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

****
February 2025

60. @LindaGordon-vp2sz
"Y'all be cutting up with these Southern souls songs Man keep up the good work All y'all"
**
61. @ronniegfordkeepgodfirst8926
"Mississippi n d house........❤"
**
62. @feliciamillsap1220
"Boots on ground on fire 🔥🔥 right now it's bumping everywhere gotta love our black people yeah ❤😂"
-snip-
"bumping" = playing (being heard, being loudly played)

**
63. @theredeemedone8998
"True Kentucky Kountry Girl HERE! 270!"

**
64. @SweetSuesKitchen
"Yes sss represent Carolina!!! Boots on da ground"
**
65. @googlgoogl1092
"I want to take a trip to Texas to see family and go to a  club to line dance!"
**
66. @Angelwr1luv
"Where them fans at,  hit me four times awwww!!! 😅😅 👏 👏 💃 💃 if this ain't a hit yall. I don't know what is. 🎶 🎵 ⏹️ who went out and bought fans and cowboy boots 😆 🤣 😂 ✋️ 👐"
**
67. @Jojalab
"I'll dance by my damn self !" Thats my part"
-snip-
This part of 803Fresh's song is usually not heard in the line dance videos.

**
68. @heavenhoward0129
"Born & raised in Brooklyn NY but my 2nd home is forever North khaki lackey NC say it with ur chest❤️❤️❤️"
**
69. @monicabrown8502
"I love it I just have to learn the dance😂😂"

**
70. @NatashaMoore-c7q
"Arkansas kickin up some dust!!! Definitely a hit!!!"
**
71. @valdastinson8455
"I got my boots 👢 on the ground BABY in the BIG Memphis Tenn ❤❤❤🎉🎉 🎉

Kicking up some dust 😂"
**
72. @josephjohnson3887
"Texas got our boots and hats on let's represent ❤❤"
**
73. @myraclestaten1533
"I can’t wait for trail ride season 😩"
**
74. @Djshuny2x
"TIKTOK IS THE REASON IM BACKKKKKK ❤‍🔥🔥 SONG SLAPSSS STUCK IN MY HEAD"
**
75. @joypowell4221
"Monroe Georgia in the house. I got my boots on where them fans at. This is a bad jam. Love it"

**
76. @aleanhollis2838
"Song a whole bop, mood and just everything. Way over in Cali loving this ❤"

**
77. @veronicaking6803
"We got our boots on the ground in Foley & Gulf Shores, Al!!!"

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