The Chicago Stepping Tradition Of Men Dancing With Men

Dj Stretch Alex, Feb 2, 2011
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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update: July1, 2022

This pancocojams post showcases a 2011 YouTube video of the Chicago Stepping freestyle tradition in which men dance with other men. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are included in this post. These comments present information about the history of men dancing Chicago Stepping freestyle with other men. 

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to these featured dancers and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicago-stepping-information-videos.html for Part I of a 2013 pancocojams series on Chicago stepping. The link for Part II is given in that post.

Also, click the "Chicago stepping" tag or Google "Chicago Stepping pancocojams" for additional pancocojams posts about that dance style.

Editor's Note: Chicago Stepping isn't the same as the steppin'[g] that originated with and is still most closely associated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikVaKr9K3c

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

This is only a small sample of the comments about men dancing with men that are found in this discussion thread.

2011

1. Mistepper1
"This old-school gangsta steppin right here! lol You TRULY would have had to grow up in Chicago to understand! Back in the 70's, the men did all the STEPPIN, while the ladies stood back and watched! REAL TALK!"

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2. hazeleyesChicago
"@ MrGucciboo - You had to have been there, back in the day and even now to understand the Steppers culture in Chicago.  Steppin' is a way of life here.  Steppin' is such a hot style of dance when done well.  The men in the video are "Free Styling", which allows for so many types of moves, as well as dancing with opposite and/or same sex partners.  The men in the video are doing some very stylish and hard core moves.  Don't focus on their gender, focus on their moves. Those some bad ass moves. " 

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3. nettewash
"Now this is how you step, FREESTYLE! No looking like you're line dancing! Go ahead y'all, do the damn thing!"

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4. Ira Seay
"Dudes is cuttin it up!!!! Chitown STANDUP!!!!"

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2012

5. Dominique Ali
"That's some old school steppin!!!!"

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6. hazeleyesChicago
"Men have been Boppin' and/or Steppin' together at least since the 50's.  I remember watching the gang members back in the day, in the 60's outside the corner record store boppin' on 61st Street, the south side where I grew up.  My mother still talks about how those "cats" could jammm!  I took Steppers workshops in the 90's and the men practiced with each other.  Cool as hell, stepper smoooth...."

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7. Carla Ford
"my big brother was one of those steppers back in the 70's......he did this 'show off' thing with his guy friends....it was like a mating call for the ladies who were there at the party......he was and still is a ladies man...he had ALLLL THE GIRLS....he is all man...all the time.....and I'm from chicago.....we roll like that"

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8. Knot2005
"THE BOMB DOT COM. THESE ARE SOME SMOOTH MOVES. DON'T HATE, MOTIVATE!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!"

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2013

9. RemyDeLeMonde
"The people calling this gay obviously are NOT from Chicago, nor do they have people from Chicago. Steppin is a dance that everyone has fun doing, and men are seen dancing the step together in the R. Kelly "Happy People" music video."

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Reply
10. Black Girl Magic BGM, 2018
"And the women watched while just enjoyed them doing their thang.

If the women didn't mind why should you?"

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11. Arthur J
"I love this!!!. The brothas are cool, skilled, and comfortable doing their thing. Great energy between them."

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Reply
12. toogrown83, 2016
"soulbreeda a man has to be very comfortable within himself and his manhood to do this...black people in America  have a very warped sense of manhood... throughout the world it is not uncommon for men to dance with each other whether due to religious requirements or cultural reasons"

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Reply
13. Susan Miele, 2016
"They are just showing their moves. It's dancing. Doesn't matter who you dance with if you can move, move. I wish they had this everywhere. Everybody get sharp and go out. Sat nite. sigh"

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Reply
14. Treva Vaughn, 2020
"They are so smooth"

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Reply
15. Arthur J, 2020
"@Alexander Brown  A man dancing with a women doesn't  make you masculine, nor does dancing with a man make you feminine. Dancing is simply dancing."

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16. CuteeCupee
"Kicking it old school. Love it."

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17. Henry Gibbs
"O.G's Rocked it!!!!"

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18. Raheem Shakur
"PLAYA PLAYA's !...

THAT is STEPPIN!"

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2014

19. bacoia
"When I was in grammar school(many years ago) I would sneak into the high school parties near my home to watch the guys step together, it was something to see.....They had mad skills...."

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Reply
20. kitsolo9, 2020
"Thank you for sharing that. I was beginning to think I had false memories. Everything has changed so much. When I was in high school in the early eighties in Chicago the boys used to step in the gym and I would skip cut class to go and watch. At that time there were very few girls that could step. That didn't come until much later and even to this day it's normally the guys who show out and the ladies play it cool. Those men were SO smooth."

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21. cadillacstr8mk
"I grew up in Chicago and I remember back in the day  "the early 70's" the only people that really were Steppin were Straight up Gangsters Disciples ,and Vice Lords, Hardcore Pimps and Macks . What drew me to Steppin was the fact that these dudes were super cool with permed out hair ,Ocean waves ,Finger waves and Custom made Clothes, or we called them "Mades" and Stacy Adams shoes . That being said , Times are different now so I can see why people think it's "suspect" ! Back then nobody even thought anything funny because those dudes were know for criminal lifestyles."

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Reply 
22. cadillacstr8mk, 2016

"Fa Sho !!!!"

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Reply 
23. Monica Williams, 2017
"cadillacstr8mk.  you are so right... ..grew up in Englewood they were banging and stepping. All the ganstas and pimps stepped they ass off."

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Reply 
24. Real Estate Answers, 2018
"....But they holdin hands and everything!!! 🤢"

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Reply 
25. REALLIFETv, 2018
"DL brothers...you would never suspect Them being gay because of they tough guy persona.""
-snip-
"DL" = "down low" This refers to keeping something -in this case one's sexual preference/s -secret.

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Reply
26. Suzie From the block, 2018
"cadillacstr8mk I think that  it’s very artistic, whilst it retains its macho image 🙏 I like it"

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Reply
27. CHERISH AMOURA, 2019
"I love it and it doesn't look gay to me"

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Reply
28. fefe917, 2019
"Yes!!!!!! You better tell em!!!!"

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Reply
29. Anniece Washington, 2019
"I was just telling my husband that when I use to go to the basement parties this is what the guys did, they stepped together, sh&t* . . .what woman could step like that back in the day and we did not think any of them as being gay . . ."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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30. ricardo catlett
"Did u say where the women lol'' ?  Baby this is Chicago style stepping and most women could'nt keep up1 Or felt the need to get down on this song like men do!!"

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Reply
31. ricardo catlett
"See with women you rarely find the ones who STEP' and women in Chicago are so sophiticated'' and sometimes hard to approach on the Stepping tip unless you know em' But men hear a song and just start stepping and the beat a be so smooth that a man can't resist the oppertunity too Step and show his skillz even if it means STEPPING with another guy that's all it is Is fun!''

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2015

32. ayjay36
"Some stepping fools right there.  Get down. What are the songs?"

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Reply
33. joni baloney, 2017
"One of them is Mario's Call the Cops"

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Reply
34. Lee Jordan, 2017
"joni baloney And the James Brown  Band "More Peas"."

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35, Bronzeville Historical Society
"This is how I learned to step... watching my brothers stepping in the front room after we pulled the rug and waxed the floor.

I am four years younger than them... guess what we all still dance together"

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36. Rabi'a Keeble
"I love seeing these brothers show out with their steps.  It reminds me of Africa and the Middle east how men dance together!"

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Reply
37, mija288, 2021
"Yes. Exactly!"

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38. DeeDee Doted
"I don't believe it is "gay".  It is more of like a challenge/battle dance.  From learning about the HISTORY about stepping, it was said that they men started this because the girls couldn't keep up and weren't strong enough to effect some of the tricks."

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39. Slj Wilson
"Y'a'' don't have to understand that people can have fun and enjoy the mastery of steppin' without being afraid of ignorant people thinking this is a a bunch of homosexuals.  I miss this kind of steppin and wish I was back in the cityI was thinkin the same👌🏾"

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40. R. V.
"These Brothers are smooth!"

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41. Clockwork Red 
"This is brotherly love, the jewel some idiots will never comprehend"

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Reply
42. chicagorilla 21
"+Clockwork Red Right because they not from chicago"

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Reply
43. Big body Benz
"indeed"

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Reply
44. lala1milable, 2016
"I just think dancing with your significant other is a good way to nurture relationships. Not a big fan of a bro-mance.

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Reply
45. Cher yl, 2017
"I'm not from Chi-town but I get it. So cool."

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Reply
46. MrsRozier, 2017
"I've never seen 2 dudes dancing before... but I think if I can dance like this with my girls why can't the fellas... loved it!"

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Reply
47. Ayinde Murphy, 2018
"I remember once I was stepping by myself and a dude stepped in and started dancing with me. I thought he was gay at the time but now I see that maybe I was wrong".
-snip-
"Ayinde" is a Yoruba (Nigeria, West African) name for males.

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Reply
48. Tawanda LINDSEY, 2018
"Amen old schools understand"

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49. Carr !rene
"its like piano stride back in the day, Harlem Renaissance but only this time dance and body form.Nothing gay about it lol im not from the Chi but i know my history and this right here is history staying alive."

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Reply
50. Rod Shaw
"your so right. think of the b-boy breakers, pop lockers, boogalooers. Same concept. it's about the style, flash. who got juice."

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51. Connie Jones
"Before stepping it was the Bopping in the 70s still going strong HALA chitown walktown  Illinois"

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2016

52. Shari McHayle
"The first time I saw this video ,I fell in LOVE!!!!!  This is the tightest dance I have ever seen!! These brothers are casket sharp and looking good dancing!! I'ts not a gay thing--i'ts an art!! As a matter of fact I have shared this video with many people and they love it too. And by the way, I am from D.C and you guys need to come here and showcase your dance.  Breeze Dancers or other venues.  I watch this over and over, and each time it looks sharper! Thank you my brothers."

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53. G Abron
"Excellent dancing!! Folks stop with dem twisted minds!!!  Brothas having fun ain’t nuttin wrong here!   Do it now👏"

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2017

54. À la mode Design
"These guys are not gay. I know most of them personally. This is simply a demonstration of old school Steppin'. The reason they were not dancing with ladies is because they were demonstrating to the audience. Chicago Style Steppin' can be done with two women, two men, or a woman and a man. You simply need a leader and a follower, doesn't matter the sex. 😄."

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Reply
55. Big W Mack
"If you notice everyone has their own style.."

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Reply
56. StrikePython
"Terrance pitts you already know what goes down in the chi makes it way to the D and vice versa"

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Reply
57. Sharon Thomas
"Mississippi steps like that to."

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Reply
58. Anthony Taylor
"I know y'all saying this is a Chicago thing but with much love y'all it just don't look right"

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Reply
59. clipsahoii, 2019
"Lmaooo"

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Reply
60. S Henry, 2019
"@clipsahoii  This is a battle of foot SKILL thats it thats all. With woman its different more like a courtship dance.."

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61. ɴᴅɢᴏᴄʜʏʟᴅ ♊
"if you so bothered by seeing two men stepping together then you should question your own sexuality.  Everything ain't sexual.

This step is the bomb..".

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Reply
62. Darkness, 2021
"Word!"

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63. Mali Rabbit
"I like his long white shoes! Back in the day we called them tic tacks!"

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64. Truthful Rating
"The baddest steppers everrrrrr. I love it"

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65. Janeen White
"Love it! Excellent job, fellas!"

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66. Baby Doll
"Is Taboo still stepping??? He is awesome!!  More of him please."

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Reply
67. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Yes he is

He teaches a class in Detroit"

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68. Nichole Royster
"Nothing but some real brotherly love.."

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69. Leon deVose
"Two things to consider (I know I am late to the conversation).  First, in West and Central Subsahara Africa (and many other cultures), dancing was a demonstration of virility.  Men who could not dance skillfully were considered as weak.  It was as important to dance as it was to hunt game and protect the village.  The men were considered as strong on the basis of their ability to demonstrate mastery in dance.  A few years ago, I enjoyed a Nigerian Ibo birthday party.  The men were the ones "dropping it".  Remember, you need good knees to drop it and pick it back up again. 

I am 57.  I grew up during the 60s and 70s.  During this time a guy who wanted to have any romantic success had to have three qualities.  He had to be able to sing the love classics (Motown, Soul) (privately in her ear at least), he had to look, smell and dress clean.  He had to dance.  If you were lacking these, it was hard to obtain the key to beginning a relationship - "the digits'.  Of course later, he had to show that there was more to him than partying, primping, pimpin' and singing - like work ethic, character and some kind of plan.  No, this system was not perfect, but, well that is another discussion.   I had a jump, because despite my overwhelming insecurity, I was a musician, and when behind my instruments a monster, so... .  Think of Andy Kaufman after his conga performance. 

A lot of words here, and I apologize, but I first saw guys dancing together during the advent of disco.  The "Hustle" was big, so a lot of guys would work out elaborate routines with whoever was readily available - brothers, sisters, cousins, runnin' buddies, etc.  At a party you would see two guys who were by no means other than straight, dancing in solid sync.  It is like @ricardo_catlett said, that for men it was a demonstration of expertise, not sexuality.  They developed their skills with those who were willing to perform with them, and "do 'da' thang"!"

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Reply
70. steezie steezie
"Leon De Vose, II IT JUST LOOK SUSPECT((FLATOUT!"

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Reply
71. Vassie Adams, 2018
"Sin and perverted behavior is not new."

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72. Vassie Adams, 2018
"Steezie,  its suspected gayness.  I couldn't hardly view this.  These  strange men, whatever they are flirting and performing for each other"

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Reply
73, Lancey Kersti, 2018
"Its a sin for them to dance? Lol"

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74. DJ B-1 Planet Funksville
"i have never seen two guys dance together  before"

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Reply
75. johnina Ryan, 2018
"What an education for you than !!!"

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76. Daren Terr.
"to the best of my knowledge,..there are a few of the men on this vid that have been around from the beginning of stepping... and they show how the freestyle has evolved....and make some wish they can step...thats just like old breakdancing( i guarantee,...theres some moves in BOTH dances you've NEVER seen, and probably never will)...wasn't a lot of women doing it....wasn't nothing gay about it."

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77. seuqraM014
"This is how we roller skate in Baltimore MD with the same tempo and music.

Oh and we skate as a mens trio. I swear it looks like they are skating."

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Reply
78. seuqraM014
"And it's all about the show boating. Who has the best or tightest crew. LOWRIDERZ!"

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2018

79. Imperial Dagger
"This reminds me of a dance competition at the annual Puerto Rico Day Festival here in Chi.  One year there was a gigantic salsa competition where there were all kinds of couples.  One male couple crushed and killed it so hard people were losing their voices from screaming.  And they won.  Que viva la fiesta y que viva el baile !!"
-snip-
Google translate from Spanish to English: "Long live the party and long live the dance!!"

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80. phillips Sykes
"Back then I we as black men didn't  haven't questions our manhood we knew what we about we always had a great time including our women they loved to see brothers on the floor who could step like these brothers here .CHICAGO WILL ALWAYS BE the birth place of the true STEPPERS  mister p from CHI long live the true steppers"

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81. Wonderful World
"Love it! This how it goes down in the Chi"

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82. djbhe
"Steppin or boppin has been around since the 60's and all the people talking about it looks gay are young or from somewhere that knows nothing about it. This is how the old school gangsters,pimps, hustlers and macks use get down back in the day. These guys are good but I know steppers from Chicago ten times better than them. It's plenty of videos on YouTube of it, go check it out. They dance with women also but these guys are freestyling. The only people that really know what time it is are people from Chicago and Detroit."
-snip-
The comments section for this pancocojams post includes an excerpt from another Chicago stepping video's discussion thread about the differences between Chicago stepping and Detroit ballwroom dancing.

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83. djbhe
"Old school steppin like the gangsters (GD's/folks) from the 80's with the long butters (finger waves) and Alligators & Foti shoes steppin to the JB's. I miss those days. Two guys steppin is normal for people from Chicago or Detroit. This is not no damn swing dancing it's steppin or boppin."

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84, Shante'a Goods
"To those confused on the guys dancing together, this is not uncommon in STL nor Chicago. The guys show off their moves, the women watch but eventually the men end up with women. I don't see it as gay at all. I love it and miss seeing my uncle move like this. As a kid well over 40 years ago, I too was on the side lines watching my uncle. This is not new."
-snip-
"STL" = Saint Louis, Missouri

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Reply
85. Don juan, 2016
"so tru  my family from both cities and that's how we dance men .father son mother daughter it don't matter I'm in sc right now and the  men here in clubs just sit around ......"
-snip-
"SC" = South Carolina

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86. Luz Estrella
"Two women can dance together and it's not a problem.  If you love dancing, you look beyond gender.  This is fabulous!"

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87. Lancey Kersti
"Its the ignorance of Black American culture that says that men can't dance together. With all the problems in the black community im glad to see them dancing together."

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88. Tee Oh
"Newbie question: Do they all know each other? Or, are there some fundamental "stepping" moves everyone knows? Seeing men dance with each other, that aren't gay, is taking some getting used to,  no matter how cool the moves are. I'm 51, from Jersey, and this is my 1st time seeing this."

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89. Eugene Wilkins
"It's Freestyle Stepping when Men can dance together showing off their footwork and aggressive turns which you normally don't do when a Man is Stepping with a Woman. This comes from Basement Parties when you are a teen mostly on the South and West sides of Chicago. In parties it can be common to see people multiple  in circles watching this at one party with different partners cutting in to show off their skill. Different cliques of young Men would be showing off with the best of that clique remaining as the lead."

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90. J Wilson
"Gay or straight, nobody cares. Check the moves. Chicago Steppin at its best. Thanks Gents."

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2019

91. JesusIsTheLordAndSavior
"I grow up in the Chi back in the 70's. After School, the guys would get together and step together so we could be ready for the weekend and step with the ladies.  YOu had to be on your game or you would be looking bad.  We stepped, played football, basketball, boxed and played pool. But when it came time to go out we all had our lady friends to step in style."

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92. 63 Impala Rag Dude
"I remember back in the day the men would hit the dance floor and step together to attract the ladies to the dance floor. It's not suspect, these guys have probably been stepping together for decades."

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93. 22mrwill
"I can step but these guys are true legends in the steppin games"

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94. patrick Meeks
"Anyone from Chicago like my self knows that this is gangsta"

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95. Hakim Sabir
"Kid and Play were never considered gay, stop it! These brothers are smooooooth!"
-snip-
Kid and Play were a popular Hip Hop duo in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This commenter is probably referring to what is called the "Kid & Play" dance move which in part involves two dancers facing each other and hooking their feet together as they dance around. Kid & Play performed this dance move in their concerts before and after that move was immortalized in a dance off scene in the 1990 movie House party.  The Kid & Play" dance move is still sometimes done nowadays for fun. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWyxVRdj-Gw for a video of that House Party dance off scene.

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96. Teena Phelps
"I'm from the Southside of Chicago, back in the 1970's we were doing the two step bop over there. I learned free style stepping from my friends on the Westside of Chicago."

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97. Daryl Kinder
"This is cold blooded. Theses are the legends of the Steppin game getting it in. They all dance lead and follow which is the point here."

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2020

98. cdamien900
"They dance together to try and match their skills . Like " Can you keep up with what I'm doing " , Or " Match This". Steppin  is a very old sport for Chicagoans back to the 1950's and still alive today ."

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99. kckgirl78
"This was the first steppin video I ever watched and I STILL love it! I hope these Brothers are still alive, well and doing what they do best, STEPPIN!!! 💖"

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100. ONekki Montrea, 2021
"Definitely still here"

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101. kckgirl78, 2021
"@ONekki Montrea  So glad to know!! 🎉"

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102. Lynn Daughrity
"They bopping! Oooweee ‼️"

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103. Renee Henderson
"In the late 1960s/early 1970s, I remember watching the 47th Street Heavies of 47th and Ingleside (Chicago, Illinois) stepping.  They were so precise and athletic.  I loved watching them."

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104. Prince Saint James Xzavier Shabazz - Rockwell
"I RESPECT THE DANCE , ITS ALL ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME A SMILE IN YOUR HEART DANCE ON BLACK MEN I'M PROUD TO WATCH THIS WITHOUT ANY NEGATIVE MALICE ON MY MIND AND HEART"

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105. I AM Jovan Jones 12-8
"This is jus AMAZING!   I  LOVE MY city & my ppl!❤️💯👍🏿💪🏾"

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106. GABRIELA DAWSON
"Don’t nobody thinks it’s gay when the Fellas see us Ladies Dancing together we really gotta Quit all this Stereotyping each other and just have FUN...Much Love to The Windy City from The Big Apple 🍏 these dudes are Smoooth AF especially with their Footwork Keep Steppin in the Name Of Love I Know R KELLY is wishing he was at this Ball but he’d Definitely be Proud to see this video....Step In The Name Of Love Clap In The Name Of Love.🕺🏻🕺🏻"

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107. Renee Henderson
"In the late 1960s, I recall men dancing together because they danced so athletically that the girls couldn't keep up with them.  We used to watch and marvel."

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2021

108. AquilaChe #FBA
"They look like they are gliding!  Low key remind me of a b-boy dance battle! git it yall!"

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109. A Walker
"This is still lit in 2021"

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110. Ronaldo
"If it was two women nobody would say half of y’all not really homophobic y’all just got fragile masculinity or down low y’all selves because why you worried bout what two men do. And it’s not gay for two men to dance together even if they was gay why does it matter to y’all it’s none of y’all’s business."

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2022
111. Karen Figgs
"Now this is Old School, True Steppin. Their partners Must know how to step. This part wasn't for beginners 🤗 These brothers nailed it, as they worked the floor, loved it 🥰. Happy New Year All and many blessings in 2022💗"

** 
112. BoROC3000 
"Years ago when I saw this video it was one of the dopest displays of Chicago Steppin' and it still is... As one of the other comments said - These brothers put on a Steppers Clinic!"
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Attitudes About Homosexuality In A Discussion Thread For A South African Music Video

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post documents attitudes about homosexuality in a discussion thread for the 2013 YouTube video "Khona" by Mafikizolo featuring Uhuru.

The official video for that song is also embedded in this post along with brief information about what that song means.

An excerpt from an online article about homosexuality in South Africa is provided as background before that video and comment compilation.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in or are associated with the production of this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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EXCERPT FROM WIKIPEDIA PAGE ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_South_Africa "LGBT rights in South Africa"
"South Africa has a complex and diverse history regarding LGBT rights. The legal and social status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people has been influenced by a combination of traditional South African mores, colonialism, and the lingering effects of apartheid and the human rights movement that contributed to its abolition. South Africa's post-apartheid constitution was the first in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and South Africa was the fifth country in the world, and the first—and, to date, only—in Africa, to legalise same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples can also adopt children jointly, and also arrange IVF and surrogacy treatments. Nevertheless, LGBT South Africans continue to face considerable challenges, including social stigma, homophobic violence (particularly corrective rape), and high rates of HIV/AIDS infection."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Official MAFIKIZOLO ft Uhuru KHONA



Kalawa Jazmee Published on Apr 19, 2013

KALAWA JAZMEE RECORDS PRESENTS MAFIKIZOLO KHONA
-snip-
This video presents the award winning South African duo Mafikizolo featuring Uhuru, another South African vocalist. This genre of music is called "Afro House" and Zulu is the language that is used for this song.

As of the date and time of this post's publication, this video has received 7,437,123 total views and has 2,926 comments.

Here's one comment from that video's discussion thread about the group Mafikizolo:
TheLoxionKasie, 2014
..."Mafikizolo came out when there were a lot of bigger stars in the Kwaito music scene in South Africa. Their roots are kwaito, but this is obviously house music. To understand South African house, it helps to read up on the music of the 80s, then kwaito (which really was house beats slowed down) and then the re-emergence of house proper in Pretoria in the late 80s/early 90s."

****
Here are four comments that provide explanations in English about the song's title and its overall meaning:
Chelseababe 1, 2015
..."Khona means “there” in Zulu (South Africa) and [the song] is about getting their love back from someone they once loved."...

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kelsey sinkala, 2014
"For those that want to know what Khona means here it goes: it means "There or that place,so all of them that are there or [in] that sad place should come back.It is a sad plea. It is a unification of their sad experiences as individuals . So their calling back their long lost loved ones to come back.

Where is my love?
Please return it,
To where you found it
I want it to return to me,
From that place.

So that is the basic gist of the song.Hope that helps."

**
DeeNutella Styles, 2016 [written in response to a question about the meaning of the word "khona"]
""where is my love”
cela ulibuyisele – “Please return it”
Lapho ulithathe – “where you took it”
Ngiyalifuna – “where it came from”
Lapho liphuma – “where is arose”
Ngiyalifun – “I want it”
Libuyisele, sele – “Return it”"

**
Kitte Kat, 2016
"Khona is a sad plea, being an euphemism for death’s hades and cracks of a broken heart. About loved ones gone and a plea to come back. One of the Trio of Mafikizolo, Tebogo Madingoane was shot after an argument. Theo Kgosinkwe lost his love; Rose, who is either his sister, daughter or lover. Nhlanhla Nciza, the beautiful lady singer lost her 5 year old daughter in a car accident. Uhuru sings about his deceased mum. For more info and the lyrics http://www.nairaland.com/1518502/khona-mafikizolo-actually-song-dead "khona’ By Mafikizolo Is Actually A Song For The Dead".

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEO OF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhk52GlkhVA

Pancocojams Editor's Notes
Most of the comments in that video's complete discussion thread don't refer to the subject of homosexuality. Instead, most of the commenters praise the vocalists, dancers, the song, and the video production, and indicate that "Mafikizolo's record "Khona" is a mega hit in their nations.

This compilation presents a representative portion of individual comments and sub-thread comments (comments plus replies) from that discussion thread and doesn't purport to include all of the comments to date (September 11, 2016) that refer to the subject of homosexuality.

Because this compilation is representative of the wide range of comments about homosexuality in that discussion thead, I've included comments that are quite homophobic. By no means am I supportive of the attitudes and opinions expressed by those homophobic commenters.

Some commenters use the referents "fags" or "faggots". For the record, I don't support the use of those pejorative referents.

Some comments include profanity. As per the policies of this blog, I've used amended spelling for profanity. However, for this specific pancocojams post, I've retained the amended spelling for profanity that some commenters used.

With regard to demographics, it's likely that most if not all of the commenters are Black men or Black women. In one of these comments, a blogger indicates that everyone participating in that video discussion is Black. That is likely not true- and certainly can't be proven given that participants in YouTube discussion threads may be anonymous and may post under another person's name, even if that person's profile picture is Black. Also participation in any YouTube discussion thread is free and open to anyone who signs into that internet website.. For example, read this comment from Kamile Gae (2016)
"Im white but I always felt inlove with African beat and music Its so attracting and effective with big power of rhythm and beat :) And dont understand also what they say but Its makes me to learn of this language to be able to sing as well as they do"
-snip-
Although they may not be included in this compilation, I recall reading comments from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. These comments may often consist of only the blogger's name and their nation's name. Those "shout outs" demonstrate that the song under discussion is known in that particular nation.

Also, the fact that these comments are from a YouTube discussion thread for a South African music video doesn't mean that all the commenters in that discussion are from the nation of South Africa. That said, it's likely that a large number of the participants are from South Africa. And it's also likely that most of the participants are from some African nation as indicated in their comments. But, based on their comments, at least two commenters are from the United States and at least one commenter is from the UK.

****
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.

I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.

2014
1. bigboyvit mbiko
"Not proud that too much the Gay dancers at the beginning irritates our pure black culture otherwise its great."

**
2.TeanoZ
"WTF?

Homosexuality isn't a cultural thing! Its Biological!"

**
3. bigboyvit mbiko
"Don't put a comment if u find this post homophobic I repeat"

**
4. bigboyvit mbiko
"+TeanoZ since when it's been bilogical?? Was this the Freedom that Mandela fought for us even God created man to be man woman to be woman"

** 
5. TeanoZ
"Homosexuality has always been around, it's not a new thing!

And don't dare bring Mandela into this matter, he fought for FREEDOM and Human Rights, not the discrimination of people based on sexuality!

Gay men are still men! Gender is determined by ones sexual organs, not by who they chose to sleep with!

**
6. bigboyvit mbiko
"+TeanoZ have you ever search on YouTube to find out whether heaven or hell exist?? If u haven't then search for videos of people who said God showed them hell you be so shocked if you watch these videos take all of them and compare them to see who's lying,you even gonna find an African testimony which is similar to an American testimony Hell is real don't adopt western thoughts of setting sin to freedom,everything that is not associated with the word is sin, not only Homosexuality God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for many reasons.Had it been there wasn't a place like hell I would have said let sinners have rights.. "

**
7. bigboyvit mbiko
"Africans went through slavery why should they receive the torment of Gods wrath don't just allow anything to destroy you completely wake up."

**
8. Boitumelo Mak
"+bigboyvit mbiko Actually South Africa's post-apartheid constitution was the first in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and South Africa was the fifth country in the world, and the first in Africa, to legalise same-sex marriage...so yes that is exactly the sort of Freedom Nelson fought for...that was his constitution. Please do not bring Nelson into this if you r going to say such ignorant things"

**
.....
[Commenter Adekunle Abiodun used a lot of profanity to basically say that people shouldn't care who someone else has sex with.]

**
9. bigboyvit mbiko
"+Adekunle Abiodun it has something to do with culture tho it's not common in other EUROPEAN countries it's only For America and UK, I've been all over Europe you can't see a gay couple in Germany,swizz,Poland,Spain or in some European countries and they don't give any hints about homosexuality,they only tell you Africans to agree that because they give us Aid,do u think OBAMA OR CAMERON would tell Germany or Russia to push the Gay Agenda wouldn't that be imperialism?? You need to read more books all travel the world to see different cultures,most people can't speak or write English we Africans are better than them 4 example East Europeans,they were never colonized by west there countries were powerful in those days,its only we Africans who can't stand for ourselves because they give us books to read and they taught English they want to control to Control us,since when have we Africans come open to be gay?? Is it cause we watching American and British programs or did it come from our ancestors or is it in our mind or are we brain washed??"

**
10. TeanoZ
"+bigboyvit mbiko Homosexuality is extremely prevalent in Europe!

One of the German Ministers in government is gay. The Netherlands is one of the "gay capitals" of the world. In fact, same sex marriage is recognized in ALL of Western Europe.

You're obviously not as well traveled as you claim!"

** 
11. Sarfaraz Hussein Merchant
"+bigboyvit mbiko No sociologist, psychologist or scientist would agree with you. Homophobia is an example cultural imperialism imposed on Africans through religion. "

**
....
[Another statement from bigboyvit mbiko such as those given above.]

**
12. Victor 'Simar
"Bigots like you irritate our pure Black culture. Hateful disgraceful creature!"

**
13. bigboyvit mbiko
"Irritate in what way mate muslims dont take acohol or eat pork has anyone protested on why they should do that. our pure black culture is not homosexual,we were enslaved and colonized that's why we are lost,have u ever seen anyone in the middle east telling You that there gay??? Don't be ridiculous"

** 
14. Joshua Boole
"+bigboyvit mbiko pretty sure there is a death penalty for being "gay" in most of "the middle east"

Stands to reason they wouldn't bring up the fact with much of anyone."

**
15. Sphamandla Zulu
"Didn't see gay dancers, I just saw dancers. Don't be that person guy"

**
16. bigboyvit mbiko
"If I dint see any gay dancers then why was I arguing with People"

**
17. Baby T
"+bigboyvit mbiko you don't just wake up one morning to be gay. Its not a disease that's you can turn on or of or spread. No country is to blame for the influence of homosexuality. The reason why some people are afraid to come out gay in Africa is because of uneducated ignorant people like you. And BTW I'm a lesbian and African and proud. Oops come at me bro!"

**
18. bigboyvit mbiko
"The only way you show more ignorance is when you copy things from somewhere I dispute all the Bullsh&t* that your talking about When God made u woman he knew that there were men outthere unless you wanna live like English or Americans and end up in hell because them they even say that God doesn't exist plus I live in UK I know the whole truth behind this Gay thing."
-snip-
*The complete spelling is used for this word in that comment.

**
19. bigboyvit mbiko
"+Atari Viktoria Promoting Gay culture in Africa is what has brought Boko Haram,r u happy with that?? Boko Haram means Against western education"

** 
20. Baby T
"+bigboyvit mbiko boko haram has other reasons to attack not just gays. But what is the relevance between homosexuality and education?"

**
21. bigboyvit mbiko
"The relevance between homosexuality and education?? Have you forgot that you just said I was ignorant where did you get that From?? Education means learning. Education is not only school If you live in Places like America or UK they're now teaching people about Homosexuality about Homophobia and all that,On Boko Haram,did you recently heard that Nigeria Banned Homosexulity?? The main reason behind was the rise of extremist who are against the Government by allowing Gay activities in there country it would let to the rise of Terror and Extremist."

**
22. Mihir shah
"+bigboyvit mbiko hi dummy. did you know white people fooled you africans into believing god said this and god said that. god himself hasnt done a great job by giving birth to an incompetent race. You see when you don't remember that it was colonialism that brought you this fake religion of yours that they themselves don't follow because they realised its utter bullsh&t*. you my friend are a bigotted and misinformed person about life in general. whatever knowledge you have gained from the bible is actually just a story. I really hope you are not catholic. its not gays that have brought out boko haram. you live in the uk and are claiming you know a lot and western education is ruining africa. I am sorry to tell you its not. If you live in the Uk and not africa, Please do not speak on behalf of all the africans who actually do live here unlike you who ran away. Please keep your ignorant brain at bay so your fingers don't end up typing something stupid like you just have.
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in that comment.

That sub- thread includes several more comments in which bigboyvit mbiko insults Mihir shah writing "your name doesn't sound like African you seem Asian".

bigboyvit mbiko further writes "your the one who must stay away from this forum stop the Prejudice and unravel your stupid tantrum.I have the right to express my views with issues concerning Africa and that does not mean am speaking on behalf of Africans."

bigboyvit mbiko also writes that he bets that Mihir shah is an Indian and says "their Hindu religion means that they should "bow down to animals" and they want to "take Africa as yours"...

To date, that sub-thread ends with that comment.

**
23. Jayb Bee
"Gay ass video"

**
Reply
24. Jayb Bee
"Yea... gay video"

**
Reply
25. Jayb Bee
"Yea... gay video"

**
Reply
26. alwayz
"+Jayb Bee such an awesome song and all you can say is " gay video ? " Not shallow at all !"

**
Reply
27. simamukele khanyile
"get one person to sign u, compose a hit song and make a video that will at least get you 500 000 views on Youtube, then u can judge which videos are gay and which are not, but until then, get a life and take off those glasses, ngathi igwinya elishile elidayisa emgaqweni..."
-snip-
These Zulu words may be profanity.

**
Reply
28. Jayb Bee
"F&&k* yu always.... gay ass too"

**
Reply
29. Jayb Bee
"+alwayz f&&k* yu
-snip-
*The complete spelling is used in this comment.

**
Reply
30. simamukele khanyile
"* waiting for the hit song *"

**
Reply
31. Jayb Bee
"+simamukele khanyile w/o maame tw3.... stupid fool... such people's promoting gay in Africa. .. fire burn yu... aboa kwa..."
-snip-
These last two words may be profanity.
This is all the comments in that particular sub-thread.

**
32. Adnan Kashogi
"South Africa has a gay problem"

**
Reply
33. msawenkosi mkhize
"Yes it's not an African culture but we can't wish them away can we? Anyways they are not killing any1 so lets leave them be. It's their lives, they should spend them as they see fit."

**
Reply
34, Tsholofelo Ranyane
"The rest of Africa has a "institutionalizing the ostracizing/imprisoning/killing of people for their sexual preferences" problem. This makes me glad to be a South African living in South Africa :)"

**
Reply
35. somrazy3
"+Tsholofelo Ranyane
Thank you so much!"

**
Reply
36. msawenkosi mkhize
"For what somrazy?"

**
Reply
37. Black NinjaHD
"you racist"

**
Reply
38. msawenkosi mkhize
"Chikenbone Shifu. What the hell are you talking about? It's all black people talking here. Besides, nobody said anything about race."

** 
Reply
39. Shirley Mlotywa
"loool dude what are u talking about"

**
Reply
40. Emmanuel Campbell
"+msawenkosiiiP mkhize"
-snip-
This is the end of that particular sub-thread to date.

**
41. Victorine M.
"I love the the dance moves that are in this video :) #TeamAfrica But what are those gay dancers doing in a African music video ?"

**
42. xMaNrEbOrN78
"This is my favourite African song this year! Killer bass! Though the crazy looking guy kinda weirded me out...well that and the guys dancing in drag lol. Awesome video nonetheless"

**
43. MrSivram28
"South Africa has too many gays. Geez"

**
44. gwandumi mtuhuru
"thoz gay mothafakaz ruined the video....what african we have become? disgusting!"

**
Reply
45. Terence Makapan
"Go climb back in the hole from which you came you ignorant fool."

**
Reply
46. Sbonelo Thusi
"lol you have ruined the comments with your hatred toward people"

**
Reply
47. gwandumi mtuhuru
"r u gay too? my bad...ofcoz i hate em so what?"

**
Reply
48. gwandumi mtuhuru
"+Terence Makapan
and go fuk yourself fag...."
-snip-
This is all the comments to date in that particular sub-thread.

**
49. battementtendu88
"AMAZING!!!! LOOK AT MY BEAUTIFUL BLACK PEOPLE...I LOVE US..EVERY SINGLE ONE...GAY STRAIGHT BISEXUAL TRAN SEXUAL, WE'RE HERE!!!"

**
50. Willi Hoeseb
"I see you guys can serve it too, I see my Gays working that floor, you better Work!!! I am so proud of South Africa to be the first country in Africa to recognize Gay rights and feature their artist in stuff like this.I wish Mafikizolo could come out to USA and Bless us here with some of that lava from Home!!! This Singers are awesome, great song will promote it around here in the USA, Will have a friend play it at his club!!! Glad they moved into Tribal House then stick to Kwaito, either way they still Rock!!!"
-snip-
"Tribal House" appears to be a less often use and not as accepted term for "Afro House" (music genre).

**
51. Pandora
"Too much homo in South Africa,very very sad"

**
Reply
52. Mzansi4sho
"+Pandora It's everywhere... It's just that in South Africa it's protected by the constitution that's why you see more of it. All countries have it"
-snip-
That is the end of that particular comment exchange to date.

****
2015
53. Mohamad Gamal
"It's strong music as hell but what about gays"

**
54. Zediyah Prods
"The guys in gold are dressed like fags, dont understand it"

**
55. simbasugu
"There is a gayy theme going on here. Sad."

**
56. Zintle Mvana
"For everyone saying the video is gay, it's not. The dancers are however.South Africans will remember them from Step UP or step Out season 2, their name is VINTAGE"

**
57. ooperdoopersnails
"On no gay people! They are taking over the world! Save me!
Some on the comments on this video are incredible. Y'all need to chill out and worry less."

** 
Reply
58. Lopanto Lulu
"+sooperdoopersnails not taking over, just ruining a classy video."

**
Reply
59. Straw Bee [2016]
"+Lopanto Lulu I think it's people like you who are classless"

**
Reply
60. Lopanto Lulu [2016]
"+Timothy Otieno Sorry I forgot how classy it was to lust after another mans hairy butthole."
-snip-
This is all the comments to date in that particular sub-thread.

**
61. James Kiawu
"This whole video is 65% Gay..Get this right..."

**
Reply
62. luesInMySoul
"+James Kiawu RIGHT! I thought they frowned upon that sort of thing. It was HELLA gay!"

**
Reply
63. Tai Tai
"+BluesInMySoul clearly there is a lack of appreciation lurking here. Classy."

**
Reply
64. BluesInMySoul
"Who the hell are you to tell me what I should appreciate?"

** 
Reply
65. Tai Tai
"But, you see, I didn't tell you what to appreciate. No need for animosity. Stay happy. ✌"

** 
Reply
66. BluesInMySoul
"You are annoying."

** 
Reply
67. Quinton Mtyala
"+James Kiawu In South Africa you can be who you want to be, you are protected by the laws of the country. We have freedom of speech and association...no-one dictates to you what you do in the privacy of your own home."

**
Reply
68. James Kiawu
"+Obese Burn Victim That up to you and Jacob Zuma...who care about that fake freedom of speech!! Freedom is dangerous to some extent....It is the same freedom of speech that led you people to upgrade your intention concerning Xenophobia!!!!"
-snip-
"Obese Burn Victim" must have changed his screen name to "Quinton Mtyala".

**
Reply
69. James Kiawu
"+Tai Kurosaki But who are you to tell someone to appreciate this kind of crap....this video is gay..take 8 or leave it....."

**
Reply
70. James Kiawu
"+BluesInMySoul They don frown on it..they kill people recently during the xenophobia, just few months ago!! then they will frown against gay activities.....They suckkkkssss"

**
Reply
71. Tai Tai
"+James Kiawu If you read my comment carefully and with precision, you would have clearly seen that I did not tell anyone to appreciate anything. There is a distinct difference between stating a simple fact and forcing it upon another individual. Take 8 or leave it. "

**
Reply
72. James Kiawu1 year ago
"Okay I got this Tai Kurosaki..You such a respectful person..some people will come back insulting and saying crappy things,but naaaah that not you..stay calm, be blezzzzz Gurl."

**
Reply
73. Quinton Mtyala
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with gay people. They're part of our society, we should not discriminate against them or any social minority. In South Africa no one mentioned that the dancers could possibly be gay we just enjoyed the music video. "

**
Reply
74. James Kiawu
"That up to you and your xenophobia people..are you gay?? If yes, then no quams....hope you have self-esteem doing it."

** 
Reply
75. Quinton Mtyala
"Not gay but I don't like discrimination. This video has no relation to xenophobia. South Africa is always welcoming to foreignersunless they come here to commit crime. If your peaceful you should come and visit South Africa. Very beautiful and dynamic country. "

....
[I didn't include a comment about a blogger's profile picture being gorgeous. I also didn't include the other commenter's thank you reply.]

**
76. Reply
TheLoxionKasie
"+BluesInMySoul Who's "they"? This comment is HELLA ignorant."
-snip-
This is the end of this particular comment sub-thread to date.

**
77. cjadream7
"Nice song and video. I just don't understand why it's ruined by having guys dancing like females in tights. Black people: please wake up.
ADDED 2/17/2015: PS, to all have been replying, you've been talking to yourselves and none of your comments have been read. Replies now disabled. Have a nice life. :)
ADDED: to +Favour Odoemena below, you can keep your pious, arrogant attitude that some Africans have, as if they're so much better than African Americans. You don't know me or my mindset, idiot. And +Tasha McNabb Moore, please stop trying to be all deep. I can see you're a black female from your profile pic. I have not read your entire dissertation, so you've wasted your time and breath. Another arrogant statement overall, by the way! I grew up around many different types of people too, moron. I am very well able to relate to ANYBODY -- and HAVE -- but when I come to a video just to enjoy music, I don't want to be force-fed mess I don't want to see. I also refuse to take people making sick and retarded comments as if they're making sense when they're not. A few of y'all are plain crazy and delusional, but glad to see there are some with common sense here!"
-snip-
There is a total of 28 replies to cjadream71 initial comment to date. Here are a few of those comments:

Reply
78. Jaden3459
"No matter how I look at it and try to understand your point of view, this statement is ignorant and close-minded."

**
Reply
79. BlackSpartan3
"You are committing the error of assigning gender specific roles and activities. You'll find the world a limited place with that habit. As an alternate and possible (of many possibilities) side: What if, crazy thought, they were homosexual and this is how they chose to expr3ss themselves? Are we to look down upon them as betraying blackness in such a case? Just curious how one so convinced of the suppressive nature of the Western world (suppression which exists) is, herself, suppressed by her own limited perspective in life.

Like I said: More disappointing that frustrating."

**
Reply
80. C Will
"+cjadream7 Just because you are black does not mean that you have to be Homophobic. Nor are these black people eurocentric. Homosexuality has been in Africa before Colonization, Before slavery, Before the White man got into Africa.

I am black and let me tell you there is nothing wrong with being Gay. Gays are created by God, it is a gift from God. Stop being so narrow minded and judgemental. And live your life like Jesus did: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

**
Reply
81. spookymao
"leave ppl be who they want be. if them wanna dance like female isnt your prob i cant agree with your words specially cose u are black and u should know better then others what means not to be accepted for what you are. u should think about it. just watch them and enjoy their soul. your struggle still on cose your soul struggle still on and this goes for all yours comments"

**
Reply
82. Favour Odoemena
"please do not bring ur western ideas and views on here..this is africa..a man is not determined by the way he dances"

**
Reply
83. Tasha McNabb Moore
"+cjadream7 I am a black female that is all for black empowerment, I have grown up around all types of people. I cannot express how much I love my people and everything that we stand for. But, I have a question for you and this is honestly coming from a place of trying to understanding, Why do you care how other people choose to live their lives? Is there a strong correlation between their lives and yours? I really try to be understanding to everyone's situation because at the end of the day, no one is perfect. Everyone has a story, everyone has been through something and a lot of people are so quick to judge someone based on one aspect of their being. God forbid you should ever be put in a situation where people hate you JUST BECAUSE, it would probably be a very humbling experience for you. I do not believe that everyone has to agree with one another but what I do believe is, if someone has not set out to hurt you then you should probably leave them alone and worry about yourself instead of spreading hatred. "
-snip-
This is the end of the selected comments from that particular sub-thread.

**
84. Mzala Kay
"South Africa Leads and the rest of Africa follows,Mere fact that you think that the dances and looks are gay means that you are as backward as the asses you rest of Africa is (excuse Moz. I love Moz). The rest of africa is just a big blackhole on the surface of the world. Killing ppl just coz they are gay also proves that. In South Africa straight guys dress up like that are comfortable with their own sexuality and they dont care if someone is gay or not because they are busy with their own lifestyle and sex life and minding their own business and not into other ppls business."

**
85. khae74
"I hate this video they shouldnt include gay people its disgusting.."

**
Reply
86. Brit Baron
"maybe not every culture is ignorant miserable and hateful as you are dummy"
-snip-
This is the end of that comment exchange to date.

**
87. kush mulla
"so sad south africa with GAYs ......africa africa africa WHY"

**
Reply
88. Whoonga Goat (ZeroChill)
"the only thing sad here is you, what have gay people done to you? nothing, so leave them alone."

** 
Reply
89. BluesInMySoul
"+Timi Goodluck Oh those dancers were GAY"

**
Reply
90. Tai Tai
"+BluesInMySoul they're gay, so what? Your homophobic vibes are not appreciated here where people come to enjoy good music."

**
Reply
91. BluesInMySoul
"I have never been afraid of a homo. Go attempt to bully someone else with your name calling." 

....
[I didn't include a comment from kaza Yamba writing that "the end is near" etc.]

**
92. AfricanSalt
"+kaza Yamba Let the gays be or just ignore them. Every one has an opportunity to pick who they want as life partners, why not them? They are not harming any one, its their body, it's their life. No need for all that hate."

**
Reply
93. Tai Tai
"+AfricanSalt preach, brother." 

**
.....
[There are additional comments in that sub-thread with Biblical references and points about Africa being colonized by Europeans.]

**
94. aromeo2luv2
"Love the song but just very disappointed by the video. Guys dancing around in tights like girls. Now Africans forcing the gay imagery down out throats too, just sad." 

**
Reply
95. Charles u
"Guys are dancing like fags.i don't like that from African brothers"

**
Reply
96. Whoonga Goat (ZeroChill)
"no one is forcing anything down your throat, everyone has the right to exist. these guys/group are professional dancers with there own particular style of dancing which the director thought would fit this video that's why they where hired. if you have a problem with seeing gay people then don't complain when a racist has a problem with seeing black people on a music video."
-snip-
This is all the comments that I've included from that particular sub- thread.

**
97. MrSivram28
"Maikizolo is a f&&king* faggot.
-snip-
This complete word is spelled out in this comment.

**
Reply
98. Claudia Dhludhlu
"Mafikizolo.... Is not a person, it's a group... Comprising of two members, Nonhlanhla and Theo, if you're going to hate, at least get the facts right"

**
Reply
99. Zanele Zungu
"Theo is married (to a woman) with kids. Not that it matters if he is gay or not, urggh,so much hate. Do u wanna step out of the closet sir and get some fresh air?"
-snip-
This is all the comments in that particular sub-thread to date.

****
2016
100. Cute Monster123
"great song but..why do they look so gay?"

**
Reply
101. Henry Dube
"don't know, maybe some of them are gay?"

**
Reply
102. Cute Monster123
"Well I certainly hope not..I don't want to be watching any gay ass dancing when they come for the Koroga Festival this month."

**
Reply
103. Henry Dube
"+Cute Monster123 are you homophobic?"

**
Reply
104. Cute Monster123
"Nope ..am just not enthusiastic about watching men behaving like women."

**
Reply
Henry Dube
105. "+Cute Monster123 that's being homophobic"

**
Reply
106. Cute Monster123
"Nope..am just being judgy. Homophobic is when you are unable to suppress the urge to drop-kick every gay guy you see."

**
Reply
107. Lwazi Nzimande
"They are not, but even if they were... what's wrong with that?"
-snip-
This is all the comments to date in that particular sub-thread.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Silento's Watch Me (Whip/ Nae Nae) & Other Dances That Are Mentioned In That Song

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Revised October 5, 2016]

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the Hip-Hop/Pop dance the "Nae Nae".

Part II of this series provides information about the Nae Nae dances and showcases three videos that feature Silento's "Watch Me" (Whip Nae Nae). This post also features videos of the following dances that are mentioned in that song: "the Stanky Legs", "Superman" (Crank That Soulja Boy", and the "Bob". The Addendum to this post provides information about the "Whip".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-nae-nae-dance-got-its-name.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information and comments about and videos of the 2013 We Are Toonz' hit record "Drop That #NaeNae".

The Addendum of that post showcases a video of the 1991 Hip-Hop song "Doo Doo Brown". That dance is mentioned in the lyrics to WeAreToonz's "Drop That Nae Nae".

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Silento and all the other featured artists for their compositions. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, all those who are featured in these videos, and all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SILENTO'S "WATCH ME" (WHIP/NAE NAE)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Me_(Whip/Nae_Nae)
""Watch Me", full title "Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae)" is the debut single by American rapper Silentó. He initially uploaded it online on his YouTube channel on January 26, 2015. In five months, the song achieved over 50 million views.

The song involves various hip hop dances from various songs like "Crank That (Soulja Boy)", "Stanky Leg", ect.

In April 2015, he was signed to Capitol Records that released the track as a single with an accompanying music video. The single peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[1] The song has also charted in Australia, France, Germany and New Zealand."

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SOURCE FOR THE DANCE NAME "NAE NAE"
Silento's "Nae Nae" dance owes its name to the We Are Toonz' 2013 created dance which is loosely based on the Martin television character "Sheneneh". It appears to me that the Nae Nae that is performed in the videos that feature Silento's "Watch Me" is much less of a parody of Sheneneh or anyone else* than the We Are Toonz' version of that dance.

*In Part I of this series, I shared my belief that the Nae Nae is a parody of stereotypical ideas about how gay males dance.

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SLANG MEANING FOR THE WORD "WHIP" (in the dance "Watch me (Whip/Nae Nae)
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Whip
"Whip
When the steering wheel was first put into use in automobiles, it was called the "whip". The whip is what you used to control the horses on a stagecoach, hence the analogy. Many years later, various hip hop artists noticed that the Mercedes-Benz logo resembled a steering wheel. They then proceeded to use the old term "whip" to describe any Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The term has now been generalized to classify any expensive automobile.
The new show "Unique Whips" on SpikeTV is obviously going to suck."
by dieselaj February 04, 2005

**
"whip
A whip has simply come to represent a car. It has been said that it was used a long time ago when a whip would be used to steer the horse-drawn carriages. It is used in hip-hop fashion, and it has come represent any car not neccesarily a really nice car.
"Yo, you want scoop me to scoop you up, I gotta whip"
#whip #whips #car #wip #wipe"
by kyle ramba October 20, 2006

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From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the%20whip
"The Whip
the term "whip" is referred to as a dance. The motion consists of lifting the knee opposite which ever arm you are using, then dropping it and moving you arm straight like you are driving a car. this dance move is associated closely with the nae nae and the song "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)
Can you do the whip

Yes! Watch me Whip *Ayyyee* Now watch me nae nae.
#dance #car #popular #nae nae #whipping"
by haysmith March 18, 2015
-snip-
The phrase "whip it" as used in The Dazz Band's 1982 Funk music hit "Let It Whip" means "Go all out. Put all your energy or enthusiasm into what you are doing"

Given that meaning, "Whip that NaeNae" is performed like you are holding the steering wheel while driving a car. But that phrase means, put all of your energy and dance the NaeNae the best that you can.

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FEATURED VIDEOS THAT FEATURE SILENTO'S "WATCH ME"
Example #1: Silentó - Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) (Official)



SilentoVEVO Published on Jun 25, 2015
-snip-
Click http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/silento/watchmewhipnaenae.html for lyrics to Silento's "Watch Me" (Whip Nae Nae).

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Example #2: Silento - "Watch Me" (Whip / Nae Nae) (TPE Dance Tutorial Music Video)(@PricelessDaROC)



PricelessDaROC, Published on Mar 29, 2015

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Example #3: Watch Me Whip and Nae Nae Compilation - VINES Dubsmash Silento Dance Remix #WatchMeDanceOn



TopClips247, Published on Jun 24, 2015

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DANCES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN SILENTO'S "WATCH ME"
Example #1: GS Boyz - Stanky Legg



GSBoyzVEVO Uploaded on Nov 23, 2009

Music video by GS Boyz performing Stanky Legg
-snip-
"Stanky" is an African American Vernacular English word that means stinky, smelly, funky.

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Example #2: Soulja Boy Tell'em - Crank That (Soulja Boy)



SouljaBoyTellemVEVO, Uploaded on Nov 22, 2009

Music video by Soulja Boy Tell`em performing Crank That (Soulja Boy). (C) 2007 ColliPark Music/HHH/Interscope Records
-snip-
This dance is from from 2007.

In the context of Hip-Hop dancing, the terms "crank that" and "drop that" mean "do the [name of the dance].

Click http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/souljaboy/crankdatsouljaboy.html for the lyrics to this song. Warning: The mildly profanity words “sh_t” and “–itch” are found throughout this song.

"Crank That Soulja Boy" includes the elongated word "Yoooooou". We Are Toonz' ""Drop That #NaeNae" includes the similar elongated word "HUAHHHH!".

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Example #3: CHICAGO BOP MUSIC-DLOW-THE DLOW SHUFFLE OFFICAL BOP DANCE TUTORIAL



allchicagotv, Published on Jan 7, 2014
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/05/hip-hop-bop-information-comments-videos.html for a post about the Hip Hop dance called the Bop. A number of videos of the Chicago (Hip Hop) Bop began to be posted on YouTube in 2014. Chicago Steppin is an earlier form of dances with the name "Bop". A pancocojams post on Chicago Steppin (Bop) can be found by clicking the "bop" tag found below.

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ADDENDUM: COMMENTS ABOUT DANCE MOVE "WHIP"
WHIP- acting like your driving in a car (holding the steering wheel with one hand and then with the other]

From http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6398451/so-you-know-you-cant-dance-tinashe-the-whip
"So You Know You Can't Dance: Watch Tinashe Teach 'The Whip' in New Episode"
By Jason Lipshutz, New York | December 10, 2014 11:53 AM EST
"Tinashe describes The Whip dance as a move in which "you're simulating how awesome you look when you're riding in your whip." "

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From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Whip
"Whip
When the steering wheel was first put into use in automobiles, it was called the "whip". The whip is what you used to control the horses on a stagecoach, hence the analogy. Many years later, various hip hop artists noticed that the Mercedes-Benz logo resembled a steering wheel. They then proceeded to use the old term "whip" to describe any Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The term has now been generalized to classify any expensive automobile....

by dieselaj February 04, 2005"

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EDITOR:
I'm seeking brief explanation about the dance moves "break your legs" and "duff". It appears that people do these dances different ways on the videos that use the Silento "Watch Me" song. Any information would be appreciated.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

How The "Nae Nae" Dance Got Its Name

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the Hip-Hop/Pop dance the "Nae Nae".

This post provides information and comments about and videos of the 2013 We Are Toonz' hit record "Drop That #NaeNae".

The Addendum of this post showcases a video of the 1991 Hip-Hop song "Doo Doo Brown". That dance is mentioned in the lyrics to We Are Toonz' Drop That #NaeNae".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/silentos-watch-me-whip-nae-nae-other.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases various dances that are mentioned in Silento's 2014 mega-hit record "Watch Me" (Whip/Nae Nae").

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to We Are Toonz for creating and performing the Nae Nae dance. Thanks also to all those quoted in this post, all those who are featured in these videos, and all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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HOW THE NAE NAE GOT ITS NAME
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_That_NaeNae
"Drop That NaeNae" (stylized as "Drop That #NaeNae") is a song by American hip hop group We Are Toonz. Released on November 29, 2013, the song gained popularity in early 2014 thanks to its accompanying dance, created by the group and based on the Martin character Sheneneh Jenkins...

The NaeNae dance became a viral hit, gaining traction on social media sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Vine.[3] Washington Wizards player John Wall broke into the dance after winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on February 15, 2014, leading to a 311% increase in Twitter mentions of the #NaeNae hashtag that day.[5]...

The popularity of the NaeNae dance led to radio and sales traction of "Drop That NaeNae",[9] and the song later debuted at numbers 20 and 38 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively.[5]"...

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[Added July 14, 2015] "New Hip-Hop Dance Craze: 'Drop That #NaeNae'" By Rauly Ramirez, New York January 27, 2014 6:06 PM EST
From http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5885484/new-hip-hop-dance-craze-drop-that-naenae
"From Atlanta -- the city that taught you how to crank that Soulja Boy, shake that laffy taffy, lean with it, rock with it, and walk it out -- comes a new dance that’s spreading across the country: the Nae Nae...

Through the use of social media, the funny dance -- and its G-Cutz-produced anthem “Drop That #NaeNae” (VPP/Skunkfunk) -- has soared in popularity in high schools across America. The group has used Vine, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to “reach out to the kids because that’s what the kids and the teens are actually on, they’re active on those websites,” says CalLamar. Consequently, there have been more than 1.1 million mentions of the #NaeNae hashtag in the past 90 days, according to Twitter...

If you think the Nae Nae is only for the kids, however, you’d be wrong. The dance has become so popular that collegiate and professional athletes have adopted it for their on- and off-field celebrations. Following their Jan. 1 Rose Bowl victory over Stanford, the Michigan State locker room became ground zero for joyous Nae Nae-ing. New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Lance Moore also broke out in the dance on Jan. 4 after scoring a playoff touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

One of the song’s biggest supporters, literally, is 6’11” Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard. The perennial NBA All-Star shot a Nae Nae-themed skit with We Are Toonz [the group that created that dance]."...
-snip-
That video is given as Example #1 below.

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From http://www.buzzfeed.com/naomizeichner/nae-nae-dance-how-to#.afEjWbKLV
..."WeAreToonz invented the Nae Nae in their basement practice space, while preparing for a show. On Oct. 8, 2013, they released a YouTube video instructing people how do the Nae Nae dance. A couple days later, they released an official streaming video for the dance’s partner song, “Drop That #NaeNae.”

The dance is loosely inspired by Sheneneh Jenkins, the female character played by Martin Lawrence on his ‘90s sitcom, Martin. “It’s really just based on a ratchet girl in the club dancing kind of funny and the best girl to describe it is Sheneneh from Martin,” WeAreToonz member CalLamar explained in January....

The Nae Nae joins a short history of regional rap songs that have seeped into mainstream consciousness on the wings of an easy-to-learn dance move. When people shout “huuuahh” before raising their arm for a Nae Nae, it sounds a lot like when people yelled “yooouuu” before dancing to Soulja Boy’s 2007 song “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” an early YouTube hit.
-snip-
"Ratchet" means "ghetto", i.e. "trashy" and "slutty". As a female impersonator, Martin Lawrence portrayed Sheneneh as a woman with a protruding butt who was always ready for a fight. When confronting the middle class Black women Pam and Gina, Sheneneh was quick to put her hand in their face. Sheneneh was also portrayed as a Black woman with a noticeable protruding big butt. Given this exaggerated characterization by a male impersonator, when Sheneneh's movements are converted to a Hip-Hop dance that is performed by males, to a lot of people they appear to be "effeminate".

Besides the numerous racist comments that are found on YouTube discussion threads about the Nae Nae dance, the largest number of comments in all of those threads including those that feature WeAreToonz's record and Silento's 2014 "Watch Me" (Whip and Nae Nae) record -are that the Nae Nae "looks gay" or that men who perform this dance are gay. Undoubtedly, some of the male dancers in Nae Nae videos may be homosexual. But, notwithstanding We Are Toonz' public comment that the Nae Nae dance movements are based on "ratchet girls in the club dancing funny", it seems to me that it's important to recognize that the WeAreToonz's Nae Nae dance (more than Silento's version of this dance) is meant to be a parody. And that parody isn't really of "ratchet girls in the club"- the Nae Nae dance it is meant to be a parody of how gay males dance.

The Buzzfeed article which is quoted above includes two vines (six second videos that repeat on a loop0 of Sheneneh dancing. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4H5vZ-Km4 "Martin - Seasons 1 & 2 - Intro". That brief shot of Sheneneh that is found in that introduction is the best one that I've come across of Sheneneh dancing with her hand in the air. Another clip of Sheneneh dancing (but not with her hand in the air, is found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahiGbGeRllg "Martin - Variety Show- Shanaynay Sings".

However, it should be noted that waving your hand in the air is a gesture that is a core part of Hip Hop culture - in response to something that is appreciated, as part of song lyrics, and as a movement performed while you dance. Click http://ask.metafilter.com/112061/Where-does-this-phrase-come-from for responses to the question "What is the first usage in a song of "wave your hands in the air, like you [just] don't care"?". (The commenters mention The Sugarhill Gang - "Rapper's Delight" (1979)'s use of the vers "then ya throw your hands high in the air/ ya rockin to the rhythm, shake your derriere/ya rockin to the beat without a care". However, commenters also noted that there were probably other Hip-Hop artists who used phrases like that before that group.

Notice the "wave your hand in the air gesture in the "Doo Doo Brown" video that is featured in the Addendum.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Dwight Howard WeAreToonz "Drop That Nae Nae"



ToonzWeAre, Published on Jan 11, 2014
-snip-
Isaiah Canaan is the other professional basketball player who is featured in this video with Dwight Howard.
-snip-
Click http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/wearetoonz/dropthatnaenae.html for the lyrics for We Are Toonz's "Drop That #NaeNae".

Those lyrics contain a small amount of mild profanity.

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Example #2: Bam vs. Kodak Killa | NaeNae Dance Battle



BamTheCamera Published on Jan 28, 2014

Best NaeNae Dance Battle (Official)
Dancer: Bam (Orange shoes) vs. Kodak Killa (Dreads)

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Example #3: Disney Characters | #NaeNae Dance | Super Sega Dragons



Dragon House Bam, Published on Dec 17, 2013

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Example #4: Nae Nae Dance (JOJ vs LEE)



Rising Stars, Published on Feb 8, 2014


This video is about Nae Nae Dance (JOJ vs LEE)
-snip-
This is a dance off [dance battle] between representatives of Johnson high school and Lee High School.

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ADDENDUM: DOO DOO BROWN
[Note: This 1991 dance is mentioned in WeAreToonz' "Drop That Nae Nae"].

WARNING - This is not the same video or song as Uncle Luke's "Doo Doo Brown". That song is x rated and that video contains very raunchy ["dirty"/"nasty"] scenes.

2 Hype Brothers And A Dog - Doo Doo Brown



Nina Brown, Uploaded on May 9, 2007

This is the 1st Doo Doo Brown video ever shot! Directed by a then unknown guy named Chris Robinson and starring the one and only Frank Ski!
Music” "Doo Doo Brown" by [1991]
-snip-
Information about this record:
From http://doodoobrown.8m.com/
"2 Hype Brothers And A Dog was formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1991.

Their masterpiece was an album entitled Ya Rollin' Doo Doo. It was a big hit in the early 1990s because of the monster hit, "Doo Doo Brown." This song combined hip-hop lyricism, a great beat, and comedy.

The song sampled from 2 Live Crew's raunchy song "C'mon Babe."

The song featured the catch phrase "Yeah boy!!!" which later became a hip-hop standard phrase."...
-snip-
At the time that this record was released, Frank Ski was a popular radio dj in Baltimore. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Atlanta and hosted a radio show in that city.

The lyrics for that song are included in that article.

The nickname "Doo Doo Brown" refers to a Black man who knows that he is the sh-t" (He's the man./He's the coolest man around.)

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