Stepping Style(s): The D9

AKA2D '91 · #1 05-01-2002, 09:54 PM

While chatting with sorors today, we discussed stepping (in general). There was the stepoff this evening, featuring our sorors. This prompted me, along with a few posts from the DST board, to bring up the discussion of styles or how chapters/teams step. Basically, do the styles differ from chapter to chapter, region to region, or state to state?

As I stated in the Stepoff thread, how or who determines what "group" of members will represent nationally? In all ouf our organizations, we have teams who are better than another.

This is for all greeks. Do you find that there is a difference in stepping styles among your teams because of geography? What kind of "style" would you label the teams in your area/region/state/locale?

Happydaysf91 · #2 05-02-2002, 10:24 AM

When I was in school, things were more traditional. Sorors did wear dresses and heals/pant suits and heals. The shows were also more feminine like for all groups involved. Nowadays, its who is the roughest that wins (IMHO) for females and who's the freakiest for males.

As far as regional differences, I've noticed Sorors on the east coast staying more true to the tradition....they still step in heals and nice suits... When I was in the Southeastern Region, it was about the hardest steppers. I remember at Regionals about 2 years ago, an older soror was sitting by me at a stepshow (Southeastern regional) and she was like, the show was good and the Sorors did some difficult steps, but we are moving away from all the lady-like qualities in the step routine -- Sorors were really rough. In addition, their outfits weren't traditional..... Lastly, Southern region.... it varies. Some Sorors stay true to the traditional steps and dress but add their chapters flare to it...and others are simply wild as all get out....

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #3 05-02-2002, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
...As I stated in the Stepoff thread, how or who determines what "group" of members will represent nationally? In all ouf our organizations, we have teams who are better than another.

This is for all greeks. Do you find that there is a difference in stepping styles among your teams because of geography? What kind of "style" would you label the teams in your area/region/state/locale?

PART I.
Actually, your soror is the associate producer of the Step Off at BET.com. She is from lambda chapter. I have had extensive conversations with her about the show over the past 6 weeks. The teams were chosen arbitrarily. There was no real "process" per se to deciding who would represent outside of getting clearances from the National offices.

My professional guess on choosing the AKA, DST and SGRho team is they were all local. This is very important for production purposes, especially when you don't have a line item for participants.

The Zeta team featured is from Virginia, which is just a few hours away. There is a Zeta NYC team that has actually been ripping shows up left and right on the east coast. They were not available to step. The Z-Phi Dynasty VA team stepped in to place. They are definitely another team to be reckoned with on the East coast.

PART. II
The style of Zeta steps tend to focus on precision and intricacy in the combinination of claps, steps, and cadence. I have noticed chanting takes the background as a complement to stepping in Zeta steps.

BearyCuteAPhi · #4 05-02-2002, 11:55 AM

This thread is very interesting!

I have always been into steppin.

I love to see greeks perform. It is sooo much fun! I am currently in San Antonio but will be in Houston soon (where I am originally); any idea as to where I could see a performance?

Ronnie

AKA2D '91 · #5 05-02-2002, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Finer Woman10-A-91

PART I.
Actually, your soror is the associate producer of the Step Off at BET.com. She is from lambda chapter. I have had extensive conversations with her about the show over the past 6 weeks. The teams were chosen arbitrarily. There was no real "process" per se to deciding who would represent outside of getting clearances from the National offices.

Arbitrarily?

Just picking from a hat, eh? Let's just pick a group, huh? Yeah, you'll do....you're "local"...

We ain't gotta spend a whole lot of money fo ya...come on oba...YESSSSSSS, INFREAKINDEED (llmao)

----Only BET....I mean BET.com....

What happened to that step contest from the early 90's where peeps went to Florida?

Is the D9 on the campus of Boston University? Isn't that where she went to school?

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #6 05-02-2002, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91

Arbitrarily?

Just picking from a hat, eh? Let's just pick a group, huh? Yeah, you'll do....you're "local"...

We ain't gotta spend a whole lot of money fo ya...come on oba...YESSSSSSS, INFREAKINDEED (llmao)

----Only BET....I mean BET.com....

What happened to that step contest from the early 90's where peeps went to Florida?

Is the D9 on the campus of Boston University? Isn't that where she went to school?

No, you had it right...that was a BET venture, but it is in partnership with BET.com. The AP went to NYU...one of the best tv/film programs in the country! She's not the shot caller, per se but I am sure since she is probably the only Greek I saw on the set working the show, she probably had quite a bit of influence. In the end...yep, thats BET!

OneOneTwo · #7 05-03-2002, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91

Arbitrarily?

Just picking from a hat, eh? Let's just pick a group, huh? Yeah, you'll do....you're "local"...

We ain't gotta spend a whole lot of money fo ya...come on oba...YESSSSSSS, INFREAKINDEED (llmao)

----Only BET....I mean BET.com....

What happened to that step contest from the early 90's where peeps went to Florida?

Is the D9 on the campus of Boston University? Isn't that where she went to school?

AKA2D'91

I followed this link for Boston University:
http://www.bu.edu/admissions/stulife...ies/frats.html

.... and acording to that page, they have Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi on campus. One the BET.com site, it mentions that AJ went to Howard University, however it doesn't say anything about Free's educational background other then she wants to be a rapper

.Now whether or not there are organizations in the NPHC that have inactive chapters I will have to research that one.

Respectfully Submited

112

1Babygirl2000 · #8 05-03-2002, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
What happened to that step contest from the early 90's where peeps went to Florida?

I was just talking to someone about this the other day. I still have one of those contests on tape, I believe it was either 1992 or 1993. Yes, the stepoff was a good idea, but it wasn't much of one since there was a very limited time to actually perform a step.

straightBOS · #9 05-03-2002, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OneOneTwo

AKA2D'91

I followed this link for Boston University:
http://www.bu.edu/admissions/stulife...ies/frats.html

.... and acording to that page, they have Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi on campus. One the BET.com site, it mentions that AJ went to Howard University, however it doesn't say anything about Free's educational background other then she wants to be a rapper .Now whether or not there are organizations in the NPHC that have inactive chapters I will have to research that one.

Respectfully Submited

112

Ah, poor Free.

Well, I don't know if she went to BU, but indeed she is a rapper (or was a rapper) in Boston. But if she went to BU, she most certainly would have had contact with members from at least 8 of the 9 NPHC organizations.

AKA2D '91 · #10 05-03-2002, 06:44 PM

112

When 106 and Park first premiered, there was an "article" if you will from BET.com where it did mention that "Free" I forgot her real name, did attend Boston University. When,

?

Maybe it's not true, but I did read that. If it's a lie..it's their lie.

The Original Ape · #11 05-03-2002, 10:15 PM

Varying styles of steppin' IS REGIONAL, as is all other factors of greeklife. I will say that there are some steps that you find ALL frats doing at some point when they're on stage.

On another point, I will say that I find some of the statements on the origin of steppin' to be bullshit; and I feel this way because at this point in the game, who can prove their statements, and how? Some of these people out here talkin' this shit crack me the fuck up!