This Cocojams page contains video examples of fraternity & sorority step shows and/or strolls (party walks). This page also features other organizations' stepping and strolling performances.
Note: Fraternity & sorority chants are supposed to be recited and performed ONLY by members of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant. Also, step routines are not supposed to be performed by people who aren't affiliated with the organization from which that routine comes.
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Editor: Azizi Powell
Latest Update: January 15. 2013
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RELATED LINKS
Visit these related Cocojams.com pages:
http://www.cocojams.com/content/fraternity-and-sorority-chants and http://www.cocojams.com/content/stomp-and-shake-cheerleader-cheers
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com for various posts on Black fraternities and sororities steppin and/or chants including this one:
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cane-performances-in-black-frate...
Cane Performances In Black Fraternities & Sororities (Videos)
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT STEPPIN (STEPPING)
Stepping is a syncopated, choreographed performance form which originated among African American university based Greek lettered fraternities & sororities as early as the mid 1920s. There are references to step shows being held by Black Greek lettered fraternties and sororities throughout the United States in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. However, I believe that steppin didn't really become relatively familiar to non-college educated African Americans until the 1980s and the 1990s. This is partly attributed to the increased number of African Americans attending colleges/universities, the fact that some step shows were held off-campus in Black communities, and the inclusion of steppin on episodes of certain television shows, and music Cds. By the end or the 20th centuries some other fraternal organizations (in particular Latino/a organizations) and other groups were fielding step teams. Among those groups are churches, high schools, and the United States army.
Usually stepping is a highly competitive perfomance activity. Fraternities compete with fraternities, and sororities compete with sororities. That said, some non-Greek organizations as well as some Greek fraternities are composed of both males & females.
UPDATE: November 8, 2012
From watching numerous YouTube videos, it appears to me that the performance art of steppin has changed since the step shows that I attended in the 1980s and 1990s. I'm not sure why I'm surprised at this as it would be more suprising if a performance art didn't change in 30 something years.
Here are the changes that I've noticed:
Many step routines that are held indoors appear to begin with a brief video. The video may serve as an introduction to the theme of that step routine, and/or may introduce the step team, and/or may share some information about the Greek lettered organization.
More step teams include an introductory skit whose theme may continue throughout their performance. A small amount of props such as hats, stolls, or chairs, or mirrors (real or otherwise) are used in these skits.
There appears to be much less chanting and much more steppin to recorded music (usually R&B/Hip-Hop)
There appears to be much more dancing (popular R&B/Hip Hop dances) being done as part of the step show
There appears to be more acrobatics done, including lifting and somersaults
Many step routines appear to include movements that are borrowed from other cultural indices such as the Matrix winding movement, and the freeze movement in which one leg bent at the knee is held up for a short period of time. Both of these movements are very popular.
-snip-
This is a brief list of my observations about the changes in steppin as performed by Black Greek lettered organizations since the 1980s & 1990s. I'm interested in your thoughts about this subject. Comments can be sent to cocojams17@yahoo. com. Thanks!
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT STROLLING
"Strolling" is a related movement activity that is done by members of respective fraternities and sororities. My sense is that "strolling" originated from African American fraternities & sororities in the 1980s. "Strolling" has become a very popular performance activity for those groups, rivaling and I think even surpassing the popularity of steppin. Strolling is done informally a parties, picnics, and other fraternal or non-fraternal events. Increasingly sttrolling has also become a competitive event in & of itself.
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DISCLAIMER
This page is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of stepping & stroll videos. Nor does this page purport to showcase the best or latest stepping and stroll videos.
All videos that are showcased on this page are presented for their sociological, folkloric, historical, aesthetic, and entertainment value.
For the historical record, I've chosen not to to change the videos that I've re-posted on this page. However, other videos of Black Greek lettered fraternities or sororities are showcased on my cultural blog http://pancocojams.blogspot.com
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VIDEO SOURCES
All of the videos on this page are from http://www.youtube.com/
Please note that links to YouTube videos or to other online resources may not remain viable. Also, please be aware that comments posted on YouTube viewer comments threads may not be suitable for children or otherwise may not meet the standards of Cocojams.com
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HOW VIDEOS ARE PRESENTED
Videos are posted in alphabetical order under the heading of the name of the step group.
Most of these videos are presented with little or no comment or analysis. Hyperlinks may be provided for additional video examples, information, and/or comments, Cocojams.com is not responsible for the content or availability of websites other than Cocojams pages and its sister website http://www.jambalayah.com
http://www.cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-and-body-patting-movements...
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all those who uploaded videos that are featured on this page.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Please send links to stepping & stroll videos for possible posting on this page. Thanks!
Your email address is never posted or shared.
Or, if you are on facebook, visit me at cocojams jambalayah, and befriend me or send me a private message.
Thanks to all those who send in links to videos & information!
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FRATERNITY/SORORITY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS' STEP & STROLL VIDEOS
[These examples are posted in alphabetical order.]
Alpha Kappa Alpha, 2010 Sprite Stepoff 2 of 5
Posted by krazylikethatglue
February 21, 2010
"(part 2 of 5) The Sprite Stepoff 2010 was held at the Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta Ga..and it was CRAAAAAZY! These AKAs represent Indiana University (Tau Chapter) "
-snip-
Editor: This step team went on to be awarded the 2nd prize in the National Sprite Step-Off competition. A predominately White step team, Zeta Tau Alpha, was declared the 1st place winners. There was A LOT of uproar about this decision. A few days after that competition, Coca Cola (owners of Sprite) announced that there had been a voting discrepancy, and awarded a tie 1st place win to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and to Zeta Tau Alpha. Both sororities received a $100.000 scholarship prize.
A video of the Zeta Tau Alpha routine for the national Sprite Step Off is posted below. Also for those who may be interested in reading an online article and comments.(including two comments that I posted) about the controversial Sprite Step-off event, click this link http://www.racialicious.com/2010/03/05/white-sorority-wins-major-step-co...
Also click http://couldntkeepit.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/a-serious-matter/ for commentary about this Sprite Step Off™ competition & decision.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha 1st Place Winners for Chicago Sprite Step Off
Editor: This is a video of the routine that theTau chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Inc did at their regional competition. Because the video of the national routine available isn't that good, I'm including a video below of that regional performance.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Stroll
Posted by Latisha1903
April 19, 2006
"Zeta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc Prairie View A&M University"
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Alpha Phi Alpha Steps
Posted by lambda6
November 02, 2006
"DI Step Show"
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Alpha Phi Alpha (Central State University)
Posted by gowherehiphop
January 30, 2010
"1st Place Winners for Chicago Sprite Step Off"
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Alpha Phi Alpha Stroll
Posted by ironLion26
September 01, 2009
"2009 Divine 9 Cookout Hartford CT Stroll Comp Champs"
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Battle of Troy (mulitple Latino Greek Organizations)
Posted by ejia24
November 13, 2007
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Black Ice Step Team
Posted by infamousash22
May 07, 2007
"Black Ice Step Team at CNR Strawberry Festival 2007"
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Community Co-Ed Step Team
Posted by clonebob
April 08, 2006
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The Tau Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc @ Brenau University's Winter Weekend Greek Sing
Posted by BaDST07
February 08, 2008
"I love my DST!!!"
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Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (Step Show Meharry Deltas 2006)
Posted by Gkbmoney
May 03, 2006
"Deltas of Meharry Steppin at Family and Friends Weekend 4/2006. This is only the 1st half of their performance. "
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NC A&T SU DELTA SIGMA THETA SWAG SURF STROLL
Posted by PookieMMouse
May 18, 2009
"The Devastating Divas of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc."
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The Greek Anthem Video "Get Ya Stroll On" [Multple Black Greek Lettered Fraternities & Sororities]
Posted by SUEDENUPE
September 20, 2006
"This video is dedicated to all my fellow Greeks. Big shout out to my brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi !!!Yooo Baby Yooo Baby Yooo!!!
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Iota Phi Theta Step Off 2010
Uploaded by DreamRunnersMedia on Sep 17, 2010
MTSU Chapter of Iota Phi Theta at MTSU Step Off
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Iota Phi Theta, Inc, (Stepping Owt Founder's Day Show)
Posted by DiegoAngarita85
September 22, 2008
"Founder's Day Show Beta Beta Chapter UMASS Amherst Summer 08 line"
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Kappa Alpha Psi (Fall 04 GSU)
Posted by fact12
September 11, 2007
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Kappa Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at AKA Stroll Off
Posted by icecoldE
May 15, 2007
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Kappa Kappa Psi - Prarie View - Step Show
dbmeagle
April 21, 2008
"The brothers of KKY did a stepped for us at the SWD convetion talent show 2008. Great Job Brothers!!!! "
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Grambling State Kappa Kappa Psi
Posted by Superfoot
April 20, 2008
"Gramblings State's band fraternity performs at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff's band fraternity talent show in February of 1992"
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Lambda Sigma Upsilon
Posted by ElAtrev1doLSU
September 25, 2006
"Lambda Sigma Upsilon's winning stroll against Alpha Phi Alpha at the 2006 LatinosStep competition at Hunter College "
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Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. [Latino fraternity]
Posted by jeanie716
May 26, 2009
"Performing at SBU Tripple "S" Competition "
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MALIK Fraternity Inc. (JEEM Kingdom)
Posted by milkman1643
October 21, 2007
Editor: MALIK (Manhood Achievement Leadership Integrity and Knowledge)is a Latino/African American fraternity founded in 1977, ]
information source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuseloMcBzo&feature=related
"What is Malik"?
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MALIK Strolling at Ramapo College
Posted by milkman1643
December 04, 2006
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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Detroitbanger22
December 01, 2007
"Bruhz from Nu Sigma, Sigma, Phi Zeta, and Upsilon Iota Iota in the Zeta Phi beta step show. This is may be the greatest six man show ever. They receive all 5 out of 5. But one frat gave them ones. Guess which frat was it? "
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Omega Psi Phi Step Show
Posted by 1BLAZE954
November 12, 2006
"Omega Psi Phi district Meeting Step Show"
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Omega Psi Phi Stroll
Posted by Latisha1903
April 19, 2006
"Rho Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc. Prairie View A&M University"
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Phi Beta Sigma NYC Step Team on Stomp
Posted by vonboogen
January 10, 2009
"Phi Beta Sigma NYC Step Team on [the television show] Stomp
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Phi Beta Sigma Killing It at The NPHC Stroll-Off (Epsilon Iota Chapter)
Posted by fdhobson
April 25, 2009
"Even though we lost the Lil'500 Stepshow Competition By 7 POINTS... My frat still showed up and KILLED the Stroll-Off Competition"
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Prince Hall Shriners
Persian Temple No. 46 - 2010 Potentate Ball - Intro (Camel Walk)
Uploaded by smokeyjoesii on Dec 19, 2010
Persian Temple No.46 -2010 Potentate Ball -- Intro --Robert Apple leading the Nobles!
-snip-
I'm struck by how much this Shriners' call & response chant is similar to that a Black Greek lettered fraternity. The Prince Hall Shriners were founded in 1893. I can't make out what the leader says in this video, but the response is "46".
Compare that to Black Greek Lettered organizations (BGLO) signature chants based on their founding date. For instance, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have a call & response chant in which the leader of the chanters calls "1 9" and the other chanters respond "0 6" - 1906 being the date that that fraternity was founded.
The Shriners' vertical stroll which turns into a circular movement also reminds me of Black Greek lettered organizations (BGLO) strolls (party walks). If the Shriners' performed this Camel Walk movement first, I should say that the fraternity & sorority strolls remind me of the Shriners' performances of riding.
Click http://www.aeaonms.org/about.htm for information about the Shriners. Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/videos-of-camel-walk-dance.html for several more videos of the Camel Walk dance, including the Shriners doing their signature Camel Walk line stroll.
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SIGMA GAMMA RHO
Posted by aarongmiller
April 06, 2009, "University of Michigan NPHC Step Show: Daize of Kaos
April 3, 2009"
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Sigma Gamma Rho SGRho @Atlanta Greek Picnic 2008 Stroll Off
Posted by BlackGreekParaCom
June 23, 2008
"Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. June 21, 2008 - Morris Brown
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
June 21, 2008 - Morris Brown"
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Steppin' -folkstream.net documentary
Posted by folkstreamer
August 02, 2007
"The "Step Show" -- an exciting dance style popular today among black fraternities and sororities. In addition to many rousing, crowd-pleasing performances, the program examines the cultural roots of steppin' in African dancing, military marching and hip-hop music, and discusses its contemporary social significance on college campuses"
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Soul Steps LLC, Performance
soulsteps1Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Show in New York City (Times Square)
-snip-
Soul Steps LLC is a non-faternity/sorority group. Click http://www.soulsteps.com/ for information about this group.
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Stomp Television Show
Stomp 1996 Introductions
dawg9,Uploaded on Apr 17, 2011
Stomp 1996 Intro Steps
-snip-
This video showcases step performances of eight Black Greek lettered fraternities & sororities.
In the order of their appearance, the Black Greek lettered organizations that performed on that show were: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc,, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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UAB Gospel Choir Step Team
Posted by kevinpaulturner
January 05, 2008
"UAB Gospel Choir Step Team performs at live recording @ the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Univ of Alabama-Birmingham. Kevin Turner, Director."
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United States Army Elite Step Team @ Essence Festival (New Orleans, LA)
Posted by phillykappa99
June 08, 2009
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United States Army Elite Step Team @ Morehouse Homecoming
Posted by JayrW24
October 25, 2007
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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc
Every beat of my heart - Pi Mu Chapter Zeta Phi Beta
Uploaded by jmarce1971 on Dec 1, 2010
Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta singing
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Zeta Phi Beta, Inc.
Posted by vandalism2k5
October 04, 2006
"Zeta meet the greeks"
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Zeta Phi Beta @ Atlanta, Georgia Greek Picnic 2008 Stroll-Off
Posted by
broohahaman
June 22, 2008
"Metro ATL Zeta Phi Beta strolls "
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Zeta Tau Alpha @ Sprite Step- Offf, 2010
Posted by trillpromo
February 22, 2010
"WINNERS of the SPRITE Step Off Dance Competition in Atlanta"
"The Zeta Tau Alpha girls from the University of Arkansas took home the $100k scholarship from SPRITE for winning the Step Off Dance Competition Finale in Atlanta."
-snip-
Editor: There was A LOT of uproar about this decision. A few days after that competition, Coca Cola (owners of Sprite )announced that there had been a voting discrepancy, and awarded a tie 1st place win to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and to Zeta Tau Alpha. Both sororities received a $100.000 scholarship prize. The video for Alpha Kappa Alpha's performance in this competition is posted above.
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A RELATED VIDEO FROM A TELEVISION SHOW
Different World TV Show Step Show Clip
spectra08 | November 14, 2008
At a Hillman College Step Show, the ladies of Gilbert Hall strut their stuff as the Libby Hall girls look on in envy.
-snip-
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Different_World_(TV_series)
" Different World is an American television sitcom which aired for six seasons on NBC (from September 24, 1987 – July 9, 1993). It was a spin-off series from The Cosby Show originally centered on Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional historically black college in the state of Virginia. Later seasons of the show focused on other characters, including mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy). In reality, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University were the campuses primarily seen during the show.[citation needed] The series frequently depicted members of the major historically African American fraternities and sororities (along with the fictional Kappa Lambda Nu fraternity and Alpha Delta Rho sorority)."
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Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvj00iZW_bw&feature=related A Different World -Coed Step Team Part 1 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdbL1-pwDbU&feature=related A Different World - Coed Step Team Part 2 , Both of these videos feature actress Jada Pinkett.
Also click http://www.jambalayah.com/node/867 to view this video and read an edited version of its YouTube viewer comment thread.
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Pancocojams showcases the music, dances, and customs of African Americans and of other people of Black descent throughout the world.
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