Chicago stepping

Chicago-Style Stepping, (also known as Steppin') is an urban dance that originated in Chicago and continues to evolve while defining its unique style and culture within the context of mainstream Swing dance. Chicago-Style Stepping has gained popularity, particularly, but not limited to, the urban neighborhoods of America. "Chicago-Style 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, D.C.

Origins

Chicago-Style Stepping, or steppin' as it is also known, has its roots embedded in the traditional African American originated dance movements of Lindy Hop, which evolved into Swing Dancing. It's birth and unique rhythm was born in the 1970s when Disco and New York Hustle was burning the social dance floor and seen in movies and television across the USA.

The swing dance known as Steppin' is a part of Lindy HopWestern Swing family. The parent dance "Chicago Bop" may have been more Eastern Swing but Steppin' has characteristic more towards the west; especially its usage of a lane or slot. Steppin' has a 6 count basic pattern. This is equal to 1 ½ measures of music in 4/4. Its tempo ranges 70 to 100 Bpm. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of a double and two syncopated triples. The patterns start traditionally on the downbeat of one. The leader's footwork is normally started on their left and finished on their right. The follower dances natural opposites. Note that the term "Bop" was used to describe the dance form by Chicagoans until the early 1970s. Prior to that time "Bop" was the known term and its origin began sometime between 1945 and 1950 to express music and dance. The dance known as Chicago Steppin' was Bop and is more likely a derivative of the Jitterbug. No published syllabuses exist for the dance.

Characteristics

Chicago Stepping is a slotted style dance or as the community will call it a lane dance. West Coast Swing and New York Hustle are other forms of slotted partner dancing.

Disco and Chicago-Style Stepping

Even with the onset of Disco music, there was still a strong contingent that would still dance "The Bop" (followed by Chicago-Style Stepping) to any kind of music, and that trend continues to this day.

Chicago-Style Stepping gained a real foothold when a local radio station, WVAZ (102.7FM/1390AM), started playing two particular records by Jeffree Perry, "Love's Gonna Last", and "Mr. Fix-It" in the mid to late 1970's. Neither song was a major Billboard R&B chart hit ("Mr. Fix-It" made it to number 53, "Love's Gonna Last" didn't chart), but they perfectly complemented the newest version of Chicago-Style Stepping. 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 Chicago-Style Steppers cut.

William DeVaughn's classic "Be Thankful for What You Got" was also a ground-breaking cut for Chicago-Style Stepping. More common is R. Kelly's "Step in the Name of Love", "Step in the Name of Love Remix", and "Happy People" which all popularized the dance in the mid 2000s. The TV show The Soul Man, as well as the movies Love Jones and Beauty Shop have also featured scenes of Chicago-Style Stepping.

See also

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