Detlef Soost

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Detlef Soost (* July 2, 1970 in Berlin-Pankow, GDR), also using the name D! (formerly Dee!), most often called Detlef D. Soost or Herr Soost, is a German dancer and choreographer. He is also called "Tanzpapst" ("pope of dancing").

1 Life and work
- 1.1 TV
2 Cultural impact and fans
3 External links

[edit] Life and work

Soost was born in Berlin and grew up in an orphanage. His mother, who died very early, was a German, his father came to the GDR from Ghana. The biography on his homepage states that Soost became streetdance champion of East Berlin when he was 15 years old and champion of the GDR when he was 16, but some people criticize, that, based on his date of birth given in the same biography (1971) this seems very unrealistic, because streetdance was not accepted in the GDR and no "official" battles could held in which Soost could win a title. However, there is no doubt that Soost in in this time was one of the most important persons in Berlin streetdance scene. Even if there were no "official titles" and championships Soost was the undisputed master of streetdance in Berlin in this time.

In 2005 he published his autobiography "Neger - Heimkind - Pionier" ("Negro - orphan - pioneer"). In this book, among other things, he also writes about his ethnic background and the problems caused by it. Soost describes himself as "Schoki", a (childish) word for chocolate. Once short time after the German reunification he and several of his friends got attacked by some German Neo-Nazis. A fight started, which ended very quick when Soost was hit on the nose and started to bleed. The Neo-Nazis started a fast withdrawal when they realised who they had hurt.

In the years after the German reunification 1990/91 he started a career as a professional choreographer and dancing master. Later he founded a network of dancing schools under the brand D!s Dance Club. He owns a "Coaching- and Casting-Center" in Berlin-Mitte. He also produces dance music and develops choreographies for the D!s Dance Clubs and other dancers under the brand D!Nation.

He has two children, daughter Chani and son Carlos, who was born in July 2007.

[edit] TV

Soost is choreographer and head of the jury in all cycles of the German version of Popstars broadcasted by ProSieben. He also leads a similar program called MusicStar on Swiss SF DRS. In 2005 he presented Super Illu TV on MDR. 2005/2006 he also worked for ProSieben presenting Lebe Dein Leben! - Live-Coaching mit Detlef D! Soost, the show got cancelled. On the German music television channel VIVA Soost hosts, presents and leads all three cycles (2005, 2006, 2007) of the casting show DanceStar.

Soost also took part in the ProSieben reality show Die Alm – Promischweiß und Edelweiß in 2004, a show in which several German celebrities had to live and work on a alm in the alps, the audience could vote for a winner. After the regular time of the show Soost was close to win but had to leave the show when it was lengthened because he had other work to do. The term "Herr Soosts Hut" refers to this show (see below). In 2007 he won the German version of the Gameshow Marathon on ProSieben.

[edit] Cultural impact and fans

Soost is one of the most important persons of German TV culture since 2000. Typical phrases like pamm pamm pamm (Soost shouting while showing his pupils how they have to move) or the famous "Mäuschen-Spiel" ("Mice game", a special system to train emotional dancing) became part of German youth slang. Another element of youth culture established by him is "Herr Soosts Hut" (Mr. Soost's hat), the grey bowler hat Soost used to wear in the ProSieben reality show Die Alm (see above). The term "this is Herr Soosts Hut" means something like "This is a very important relic, pay respect!". (The original hat itself got desecrated when ex-boxer René Weller and singer Lorenzo Woodard (now Lory Glory) threw it in a pool filled with cow dung.) Soost is also very famous for his massive, well trained body and his ability to sweat in incredible amounts.

While he is most often called "D!" or "Detlef D! Soost" in TV and by his own PR, his fans normally call him "Herr Soost" to demonstrate their awe and his grandioseness. "Herr" is German for Mister but also Sir and, when used in the right way, is a very respectful saluting.