Chicago stepping

Stepping is an urban dance that continues to evolve defining its unique style and culture within in the context of mainstream Swing dance. Stepping has gained popularity, particularly but not limited to the urban neighborhoods of America. Stepping makes reference to other urban styles of dance found throughout the United States larger enclaves in cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore and Washington DC. In these and other cities one will find very similar customs and cultures accenting local dance movements which are very similar to movements of the Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Jitterbug and the Shag, just to name a few. Each city bears its own name such as the Bop(dance), Hustle or Swingout. Although unique to its own style, customs and accents the basic structure involves the movement of triple steps, rock steps and anchors with the lead and follower synchronizing their steps in a complementary manner.

Origins

Stepping, or steppin' as it is affectionately known has it roots imbedded in the traditional dance movements of its predecessors such as the Texas Tommy, Lindy Hop and Bunny Hug. Historians have noted that the early dance movements of Swing dances laid a superb foundation for elements of dance to be shared and improvised over a period of time. However the history extends as far back as the predecessor of modern American music, Ragtime, which documents the polyrhythm movements and sounds of its heyday. Ragtime was not only a unique music form ,it was a dance as well. Ragtime was a play on John Phillip Sousa's music combining improvisation and syncopation in between to draw upon melodic themes and percussions. The end result was a richer melodic sound which was well received by local patrons as well as those abroad who would hear the new sounds coming from traveling musicians and dancers on the Vaudeville circuit.

Disco and the Chicago Step

Even with the onset of Disco music, there was still a strong contingent that would still Bop (now called Step) to any kind of music. Stepping didn't gain a real foothold until local station WBMX (102.7FM/1390AM) started playing two particular records by artist Jeffree, "Love's Gonna Last", and "Mr. Fix-It" in the mid to late 1970s. Neither song was a major Billboard R&B chart hit ("Mr. Fix-It" made it to #53, "Love's Gonna Last" didn't chart) but they perfectly complemented the newest version of the Chicago Step. In a classic case of a dance making a record a (local) hit, due to the massive request and playing of "Love's Gonna Last" on WBMX, it is now considered the ultimate "stepper's cut".

Today

Steppin' is still in its infancy gaining popularity particularly in the urban community social and nightclub scene. Steppin has gained an increased visibility in media and entertainment mediums with recent R&B videos featuring local Chicago dancers. R&B crooners have been highly successful starting with R. Kelly's "Step in the Name of Love" and Happy People, and Gerald LeVert's "Didn't We?", the nation has gotten a taste of the steppers style. Additionally, movies such as "Love Jones (film)" (which depicts an event formerly hosted by local Chicago DJ Herb Kent, known as "The World's Largest Steppers Contest"), brought the dance and culture to the big screen. Steppin' is usually coordinated into events called "Stepper's Sets".

Regional Variations of Steppin

Other parts of the USA have created their own forms of Steppin. One form is Detroit Ballroomin', which is popular in Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Toledo. Another form is Texas Swing Out, which is popular in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans. Also, DC Style Hand Dancin' is popular in Washington DC, Baltimore, and Virginia. Another variation is Kansas City Style 2 Step, which is popular in Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis, Wichita, Denver, and other cities in the Heartland. West Coast Swing is popular in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Southern California, Portland, and the Seattle-Tacoma area.

Culture of Stepping

Stepping' is not just a dance, it encompasses a style of dress as well as music. As R. Kelly states in his #1 hit, "Step in the Name of Love":

"...stepping is not just a dance, it's a culture...it's what we eat, think, and breathe..."