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Stepping (African-American)

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For the form of Irish dance, see Irish stepdance.
The Bronx's P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club Steppers, a step team that has performed at the White House and won numerous titles.

Stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Though stepping may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble military formations.

Stepping may also draw from elements of gymnastics, tap dance, march, or African and Caribbean dance, or include semi-dangerous stunts as a part of individual routines. Some forms of stepping include the use of props, such as canes, rhythm sticks and/or fire and blindfolds.

The tradition of African stepping is rooted within the competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the mid-1900s[citation needed].

History

African stepping finds its origins in a combination of military close-order and exhibition drill, and African foot dances such as the Welly "gumboot" dance. It also originally drew heavily from the stage routines and movements of popular R&B groups such as the Temptations and The Four Tops.[citation needed] During the mid-20th century, historically-black fraternities and sororities on United States college campuses traditionally sang and chanted to celebrate "crossing over" into membership of their respective organizations. Stepping is also performed by schools, churches, cheerleading squads, and drill teams.

Popularized by National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations that perform at local and national competitions, stepping has been featured in films and shows such as School Daze (1988), Mac and Me (1988), Drumline (2002), Stomp the Yard (2007), and the TV series, A Different World and Sister, Sister. The first nationally syndicated stepping contest, S.T.O.M.P., aired in 1992, and The Howard University "Beta" chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha stepped at former President Bill Clinton's inauguration, after appearing in a Foot Locker commercial in December 1992.[1]

That tradition has also been embraced by Latino fraternities and sororities over the past decades. Pioneered by Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity in 1979 they are noted as the first Latino greek organizations to embrace the traditions of stepping[2] This has led to an increase in participation of Latino Greek organizations in step show events. Often adding influences from Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, as well as other traditionally Latino music. Latino Greeks are performing in more step shows, stroll competitions, and social functions on college campuses throughout the United States.


File:ShowtimeSpringBling.jpg
The Showtime Steppers performing at "BET's Spring Bling" in 2006.


Stepping is a complex performance that melds folk traditions with popular culture and involves synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama. Developed by African American fraternities and sororities, it is now practiced worldwide. [3]

  • Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew had the Strikers All-Stars, a step based crew who took fourth place in the show.
  • In the finals of America's Best Dance Crew, the two finalist crews - Jabbawockeez and Status Quo (not to be confused with the English rock band) - for the first time in the competition, battle and cooperate in a step performance.
  • Stepping has been seen in the mainstream, with involvement in motion pictures including School Daze, Mac and Me, Drumline, and How She Move.
  • In the 2007 box office film Stomp The Yard, stepping was used throughout the entire film. The main character, D.J. (played by Columbus Short), looks to lead his step team to win the national step show competition.
  • BET Networks has aired numerous short step show exhibitions and competitions in its programming since 1989, when an early episode of Teen Summit featured members of Alpha Phi Alpha from Howard University, and members of Omega Psi Phi from the University of Maryland. Stepping has been featured on 106 & Park (during the Wild Out Wednesday portions), and on BET's annual spring event, Spring Bling (on the show "Get 2 Steppin'").
  • At the beginning of Alicia Keys' video, "Teenage Love Affair", which is based on the 1988 movie School Daze, a step team is shown strutting in an all black outfit during a rally.
  • At the beginning of the The Fresh Prince of Bel Air episode "Blood is Thicker than Mud" a group from the fraternity Phi Beta Gamma perform a short step show.
  • Stepping is shown throughout the TV series A Different World, a show based on the fictional historically black campus of Hillman College. During the 2nd season, characters Whitley and Jaleesa choreograph a step routine for a homecoming competition, and during the 4th season, several primary characters step-dance as part of the fictional Greek letter organizations Kappa Lambda Nu and Alpha Delta Rho.

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ Stepping it up: Big competition in Cincinnati brings together stellar stompers
  2. ^ Lambda Sigma Upsilon National Website
  3. ^ Template:Soulstepping
Bibliography
  • Fine, Elizabeth. Soulstepping: African American Step Shows. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2003.
  • Malone, Jacqui. Steppin on the Blues. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1996.
  • Ross, Lawrence Jr. The Divine Nine - The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2001.
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