Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision-October 4, 2026
This pancocojams post showcases five YouTube video examples of the mega hit 2024 song and line dance "Boots On The Ground".
These videos document some differences between how African American urban (city) line dancers and African American trail ride (country) line dancers perform this line dance. In particular, the urban line dance examples in this compilation document how urban (soul) line dancing is integrating some elements of trail ride line dancing such as performing to Southern Soul music and incorporating trail ride line dancing's popping fans accessory.
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 recording this song. Thanks to Tre Little for choreographing this line dance. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks also to the videographers and publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN URBAN SOUL LINE DANCING AND TRAIL RIDE SOUL LINE DANCING
Additions and corrections are very welcome.
Urban soul line dancing
Urban soul line dancing is the oldest form of African American line dancing. (I consider Zydeco line dancing that involved/s Black and non-Black people as separate from Country (Country-Western/ American line dancing and from African American (soul) line dancing that consists of urban line dancing and trail ride line dancing)
Regardless of the style of line dancing, line dancers perform to usually recorded (but sometimes live) music and move (recorded or live) without speaking, singing, or chanting (except for the instructor sometimes saying those instructions during the actual line dance and except for onlookers sometimes shouting exclamations of appreciation to those dancers).
Based on my viewing of multiple YouTube videos that were published from around 2011 to 2026, it appears to me that members of urban soul line dance groups, and/or attendees of urban soul line dance classes/social gatherings were/are almost always African Americans who are middle aged (around 40 years of age) and older. There usually are many more females than males in these populations. A few of these videos include line dancers who are children and/or teenagers (usually girls).
The dancers usually stand erect. The group's dancers smoothly, skillfully, and stylishly steps and turns to choreographed routines that allow for some individualization of moves as long as people "stay on beat".
Old school (before the 2020s) urban line dancers usually "dressed up" to line dance events. Men usually wore suits or sports jackets with dress shirts, dress pants, and dress shoes. Some men also wore a hat (fedora) and carried a plain color (usually white) handkerchief.
Old school female urban (soul) line dancers usually wore dresses or dress pants with a blouse or a sweater. Females also often danced in high heels.
These old school fashion styles are still currently followed for some urban line dancing events.
In addition, line dancers really dressed up and still dress up for some past and present urban soul line dance events such as "white parties" (when all attendees are only supposed to wear outfits that are the color white.
Urban line dancing is performed to various types of African American music including Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop.
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Trail ride (soul) line dancing
Based on my viewing of multiple YouTube videos that were published from around 2024 to 2026, it appears to me that members of trail ride line dance groups, and/or attendees of trail ride line dance classes, trail rides, social gatherings were/are almost always African Americans who are teenagers or young adults to middle aged (around 40 years of age). There usually are many more females than males in these populations. This age range/gender greatly influences the types of dance moves that are performed in trail ride line dancing.
The moves these dancers perform are much more bouncy than the moves that urban (soul) line dancers perform. Trail ride line dancers start with their body erect but often bend forward to perform some moves that are considered sensual/erotic (nasty).These dance moves are similar to the R&B dance moves "walking the dog" dance and the Hip Hop dance move that is known as "twerking".
Trail ride line dancing usually features accessories such as popping fans. That form of soul line dancing also may feature a line dancer blowing a whistle. In the videos that I've come across, it appears that there's only one whistle at a time that is being blown during a trail ride line dance.
Based on the videos that I've watched and in person line dances that I've observed, no one is supposed to blow a whistle during a line dance except one of those dancers (who may or may not be designated to do so before that particular line dance or all of the line dances in that class or gathering begins. It seems to me that the person who blows a whistle during a particular trail ride line is arbitrary. That female or male isn't necessarily in the front row (where presumably, the instructor/leader and her or his best line dancers are).
The sound of the whistle is meant to indicate, add to, and/or enhance the percussive elements of the music. The whistle sounds aren't to indicate any change in the steps (moves), or change in tempo or direction, or the end of the line dance itself.
Trail ride line dancing attire is usually much more informal than the attire that is worn by urban soul line dancers. Trail ride attire usually features country (cowboy/cowgirl) fashions such as blue jeans (including ripped jeans for females or males and/or Daisy Dukes [short shorts] jeans for females; cowboy/girl boots, and cowboy hats. Male and females wear t-shirts with their pants or shorts. The t-shirts are often customized with the color and name of the line dancing (Steppa) group.
Most trail ride line dancing songs (such as "Boots On The Ground") are from the "Southern Soul".
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
I've showcased more trail ride versions of "Boots On The Ground" because it is a trail ride song and line dance.
TRAIL RIDE LINE DANCE SHOWCASE VIDEO #1- Boots On The Ground Line Dance
Line Dancing With Terressa, Dec 30, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBPYFL-GDiw
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TRAIL RIDE LINE DANCE SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- Boots On The Ground Line Dance
Line Dancing With Terressa, Jan 21, 2025
Choreographer: Tre Little
Artist: 803Fresh
Song: Boots On The Ground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDrBn6HRZjQ
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TRAIL RIDE LINE DANCE SHOWCASE VIDEO #3- And 5678 Ladies First Line Dance Event!! Boots on the Ground
Line Dance
And 5678 Soul Line Dance Class, Jun 1,
2025
Where dem Red Fans at!! And 5678 Line Dance Ladies First 2025 was amazing!
To every lady that attended and vibed with me this weekend,
thank you so much. I needed this just as much as I hope you did. I hope I gave
you a weekend full of rest, fun, happiness, joy, and love. 💛
I truly look forward to the next one… and if you missed this one? Giiirl… don’t miss the next!
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URBAN LINE DANCE SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 -BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Jero Green, Feb 16,
2026
Boots on the Ground line Dance
Choreographed by TRE LITTLE
Artist 803 FRESH
Song BOOTS ON THE GROUND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGChYz3Weg4
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@LineDancingwithmaya Jul 23, 2026
🔥When the Grown Folks Hit “Boots on the Ground” at the All-White Party! 🤍🔥#fyp
The grown folks came dressed in ALL WHITE and understood the assignment! 🤍🔥 Everybody hit the floor when “Boots on the Ground” came on, and the energy was EVERYTHING! 👢💃🏾🕺🏾
https://youtube.com/shorts/pLk0oZDJKRo?si=ZuEtZjzrlzBTSTMl
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