Quote:
Originally Posted by aurorablue
If you're refering to what Vanilla Ice did, you can't expect to copy from a prominent organization and not ask them for permission first. It's just like when these artists sample other artists. They have to ask for permission or they can be sued by the original artist or writer. And then Vanilla Ice went on to make mad money off of that record but from what I understand the Alphas won some of that money in a lawsuit.
As for the high school and misc. step teams doing NPHC steps, there's just no reason for it in my opinion. New steps get made up all the time and what really bugs me is that most of these people don't know whose steps they're doing, the history behind the NPHC orgs, or the history and significance of the art of stepping. For some in NPHCs, stepping is no big deal, but for others it's a huge deal and they regard stepping as one of their beloved traditions and signature steps have been with these orgs for many many years.
Peace.
Aurorablue, SGRho, Spr. 93
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Come on Aurora. I don't think the Ice Cold reference for Alpha has been around since its inception. In fact I never heard it while in school or for a long time afterwards. I would guess it is a late 80s, 90s thing. But I am sure the Alphas will correct me if I am wrong. That is not to say that when it started it wasn't based on something historical. But when Vanilla Ice did it I bet it's because he (or his people) heard it somewhere and thought it was cool--not having any idea about the Alphas or what it meant to them.
The same with hand signs and calls. They were not there in the 60s and 70s.
As for stepping, for a long time what was called stepping is not what is done today, especially for the sororities who did "performances" rather than step shows. Back then stepping was a Chicago/St.Louis dance also know as the bop. - LOL.
Sororities did dance routines to songs that usually were based on the popular songs at the time, substituting the name of the org in the lyrics. That's why what are now called step mistresses were called song mistresses back in the day. I was such in my chapter--I made up dance routines to go with songs that we sang. They best performers were the ones with the best singers and dancers.
The frats did do a milder version of what is stepping today and both the Sigmas and the Kappas used canes--and nothing was spelled with a "K".
So I say all of this to say, the NPHC has changed over the years and it still tickles me when I here NPHCers talk about the historical value and importance of stepping. Cuz, it just wasn't so. It was pure entertainment.
Just think about it. When our sororities were founded it wasn't even appropriate for "ladies" to go without white gloves, much less wear pants and dance with abondonment. And gentlemen carried canes as a sign of distinction and class.
Now I will not dispute that when stepping became really popular it wasn't based on African movements, because it did seem to grow out of the Pan-African awareness of the 70s.
This is also why so many people are upset about Stomp The Yard, because it makes something that was NEVER part of our validation seem to be so.
Oh and by the way, "signature steps" have changed over the years, too. And it's time for some of them to change again, because they have lost their entertainment value, imo.
The bottom line is the NPHC orgs have not patented or trademark any "steps" and would be hard pressed to do so. Just like new dances are versions of old dances, the same with stepping. You say the Alphas haved tm'd Ice Cold and I cannot dispute that, but I wonder when that was. Because as far as I know, Jerry Butler was the original Ice Man Cometh - LOL.
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