Exploring the characters and gliding moves of the Chicago Steppin’ scene from Chicago's Southside

Born on the Southside of Chicago, Steppin’ is a dance rooted in its community - growing out of neighborhood parties, and the tight social scene that expanded around it. Evolving with soul music as a collision of ballroom and swing, with parallels to the jitterbug and the hustle, the Chicago Steppin’ scene lives on through a close pool of Southside icons, connected by a gravitational pull to its fast footwork, old-world charm, and smooth, sensual movements.…read more at nowness.com
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[@AndreHarrisIi-zb8tx]

I wouldn’t want to be from no where else BUT Chicago Mann. Im a youngin but stepping is in my blood this is truly the Chicago culture n u can’t get it no where else!!!

[@LupeJelena]

This is CULTURE! In Buenos Aires we have Tango clubs and they are wonderful, I would love to be at one of these parties and feel that energy. These people are GORGEOUS

[@marquan24]

Captured my city and culture so beautifully! Thank you for this wonderful piece of art and representation.

[@sedecim]

Love seeing black folks showing joy and love.

[@ambermichelle23]

This is such a beautiful piece. Born & raised on the south side of Chi. Ya’ll captured my city perfectly. ❤

[@niceclaup1]

The poem at the end brought the tears I didn't know I was holding in Can't believe I never knew about Stepping!

[@Pieces_Tv]

The true culture of Chicago. With style and class for the love of great music 🎶 💃🕺🎶🌟

[@kimberlyholley]

"Show up to show out!" Love it!

[@Angela-pi6zc]

Makes me SMILE the entire video, Thank you ALL🎉

[@SashaSword-d5u]

Did anybody else have a few tears fall😢. This bring so much joy to my soul

[@Sotina.]

This is beautiful for so many reasons. Thank you for making this and showing this side of Chi city. ❤

[@unapologetic.byjuicyjai]

As a house baby/stepping baby, this warmed my heart so much. Thank y’all for shining light on our beautiful city and culture. ❤

[@artherapy101]

SOOOOOOOO THANKFUL FOR THIS DANCE!!!!! …. And SOOOOOO GRATEFUL TO BE APART OF THE CHICAGO STEPPING COMMUNITY down here in the ATL! From the dance and the music to the travel and the friendships, there’s never been a community where I could feel this free. THANK YOU to all of the legends and heavy hitters who graced us and blessed us with this dance. 💃🏾 🕺🏾 Now LETS GO TO WORK STEPPERS!!!!! ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@DynamicallyDella]

🗣Chicago STAND UP!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Audogo]

I'm standing up Fi'e 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 Chi-Raq

[@daniellejackson7554]

What a beautiful showcase of how stepping has become a powerful vessel for love, life, and meaningful impact. The perfect music choice has further enhanced the smooth appeal of this art form. Thank you for highlighting Carmichael Musiclover’s incredible body of work in this video. This exceptionally talented independent artist truly deserves the recognition also.

[@aaelfohto]

I grew up stepping with my stepdad... you cant recreate this Chicago essence no where else. Its so fun when ya song come on at work and you and your coworkers start stepping... good times baby. Roseland, Wild Hunnids STAND UP!!!

[@deborahmccoy3837]

The Trailblazers And Legendary Steppers Of The Southside That Truly Put Pride In My Heart, Knowing That The City That I Called Home, Has Such A Unique Impact On The Dance Scene. I’m Humbled Proud.🥰

[@sxt4447]

Thank you for capturing the effortless cool and glamour of my hometown ❤ Southside Forever

[@ttonefluid]

I appreciate you doing this video, it was really felt being from the westside of the city and growing up skating and stepping. Now living in KY me and my wife get it in whenever some slick music is playing, but it ain't nothing like a steppers set. This made me homesick, we need to get back so we can feel the vibe ✊

[@shaamya]

YES!! Come on through Southside of Chicago! Im repping Englewood and the church they showed the smooth brother in the beginning is my childhood and family church "Faith Temple COGIC!!" So many memories❤🎉!

[@unwritten888]

woooo i love this. my daddy came from chicago, and taught my mama how to step , and now i step in his honor bc it makes me feel closer

[@queen_jaylo222]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Gratitude for putting this short film together. I wish it was longer. I love my city and our culture. Chitown forever! Peace and love. 🥰💕🦋💃🕺🏽💃🕺🏽

[@Audogo]

❤❤❤ I Love 💕 my city Chicago

[@harrietjohnson1930]

Me too. Chicago forever! South Side girl here. 👊🏾 in the late 60s early 70’s I remember stepping at sets held at major downtown Chicago hotels.

[@eEdJones]

Looking back at the very foundation of the music and dance that is "Chicago Steppin," I now understand that if the road was straight, no one would get lost. Now, I see the path to master life!

[@BlueAlien1313]

Finally more exposure for this art form

[@remnant1018]

Hey! There’s my instructor Drew Alexander! Whaddup Doe from Detroit!😃Chicago Steppin is one of the styles helping keep social dancing alive across the country and Drew is one of the instructors passing the knowledge on.

[@shesofuzzy345]

I love this short story. I've seen many of the people in other videos online. Steppin is a lifestyle, seems more people are happy when they're stepping.

[@harrietjohnson1930]

Chicago forever! South Side girl here. 👊🏾 in the late 60s early 70’s I remember stepping at sets held at major downtown Chicago hotels. The song “Poppa was a Rollin’ Stone” turned the floor out. 😆

[@candacemedina3510]

I love the history of this dance.

[@luvmifro]

Black Love at it’s highest vibration ✊🏾That’s right Ma 💚

[@tonysmith6166]

Black Culture at its Finest. This was so good I wanted more

[@sandra-jones]

Beautiful, positive exposure! Beautiful, positive people!

[@kimistri]

My Chicago Represent❕🫶🏽👏🏾

[@TheCyab]

There’s so much beauty in all of this. Ughh, thank you for sharing this video. Mannn,i love us as black people so much 😭🥺🩵

[@diannebrownlee9806]

I laugh when I see women not from Chicago trying to learn basic stepping moves. We native-born Chicago girls learned these as young children, to the beats of Motown!.

[@lechellenorwood75]

Ok. Chi town finest we used to roller skate as kids then try to step all while the played the JB 's this was such a great video😊

[@boneonchrome1221]

Respect 🫡 we cold wit it jack Chi town Stepping is legendary and good for the soul This is Over deserved thank you to the ones before who laid the blueprint 🤝

[@ethelmcbounds]

Born an raised to all the thing's Chi Town For Life. ❤🎉

[@Mixture-g1y]

True Chicago Steppers....Queen Celeste and Ty Skipp (Rip)Scorpio, Drew, Footwork Tori, and Taboo just to name a few!!! My city, Sweet home Chicago❤❤❤

[@JBurnettbillz]

You can only find this kind of footwork art at 'da crib'! Imitated but never duplicated!!

[@LRH1]

@ Nowness - This has me in tears ..... love, thank you

[@Lamar-ok5sl]

Stand up Chi! I tip my hat off to ya all the way from Detroit!

[@DrStarrah]

"Steppin is Black Love...at its HIGHEST vibration" Beautifully stated.

[@__rachel___]

I’m SO GLAD to see this

[@shirleyclark]

🎉 Loved it the dance is in our hearts & souls. Happy Holidays 😘

[@ursaamajorr]

My beautiful ppl 💕

[@Monaedeezy]

We got to stop calling things ghetto and hood, this is style.

[@shaamya]

❤

[@Gullahbae]

We have to decolonize our minds before that happens. The self hate is too real!

[@AndreHarrisIi-zb8tx]

That’s bc we let others try to tell us what OUR (style)culture is

[@LogicalMan-x6d]

beautiful tribute!

[@nkotbsouth]

That lovely couple looked so dapper in the thumbnail, I HAD to click on this! 😍

[@Everythingfreshandsassy]

This was so beautifully done! Thank you!!!

[@sandrashanks3470]

Steppin is black people dance forever.❤

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

EEPA! Chicago Steppers over 55 are the best!!! Sorry younguns... It's just the truth!

[@realtalk1942]

And in reality you had to be there to see it for yourself cause it was raw steppin in the 70s and 80s

[@Monaedeezy]

Chicago Afro Americana 🇺🇸

[@Faithful-k5g]

This is wonderful much love from a west side stepper ❤

[@Imissyoulou]

West side, the BEST side. They use to step at the Rose Lounge on Madison. The 15th District is there now. I could NEVER dance, but I use to go to the Rose to watch the people dance.

[@touchednottouched]

Thank you for the insight. I subscribe to many KZbin stepping videos and yet this is thee most important giving insight to the foundation of the dance

[@keeper116]

The City of big shoulders❤Chi-Town all day everyday.

[@breezee7555]

Love this!!! ❤

[@debrajohnson9728]

😂😂😂❤❤❤auntie said she started her own social club so they can hear that ole dusty music😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@mrsescobedo6164]

Beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤

[@kimredmond7500]

Hi Nowness, thank you for the beautiful doc. Only thing you are missing is me! I don't walk step, bop, dance I just float!

[@marquita3058]

i love this video ..,so beautiful! just beautiful!

[@Londiebeantown]

Beautiful 😢😢😢😢😢 So beautiful ❤❤❤

[@RodrickColbert]

Hmm, I guess no one is going to mention that R. Kelly introduced us about this sometime ago..lol

[@WesternCultureIsDisgusting]

I was just thinking that. "Step in the Name of Love". Lol

[@CarlettaSims-m6u]

The mature old school Chicago stepper's take my hand 👏

[@yvettesmothers3123]

The legend We ain't going NoWhere South Side ..Scorp MynSis CC Smooth In Da HOUTeach 'm Aint No Count Sis

[@davidcalhoun7525]

That was beautiful 🙌

[@rhondasaddler2995]

This is Chu'ch rite here! 🎶💃🏽🕺🏾

[@sheilakelly338]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@goldenheart751]

The Grand Ballroom

[@Imissyoulou]

On Cottage Grove.

[@goldenheart751]

@Imissyoulou Yessssss I miss Chicago sometimes

[@JaineStarks]

💐This is so damn BEAUTIFUL 🥹

[@Archer-e2b]

Born & Bread!!!!!!; ✌🏾💜👍🏾

[@terrybutler3683]

This bought tears to my eyes I be in utube day and night like am right there stepping to chocolate princess, Ms. Margret, a Linda

[@terrybutler3683]

With so many others love it

[@1stTnetix]

Shout from Texas my people special everywhere we are🤟🏿

[@deejohnson1105]

Chi-town

[@butterflyangel75]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@arionie00]

Love this ❤️❤️

[@kimredmond7500]

Nice, very nice doc. Thank you.

[@kofoblue3172]

I luv this! Respect from L.A.

[@marklawrence76]

New Subscriber and Chicago is in the building

[@biancasaundersstudio]

Incredible

[@ertfgghhhh]

This is blacker than collard greens and black eyed peas

[@newflame13fiya]

LOVE THIS 🎉

[@donaldbrooks6455]

Footwork saves lives

[@vern76-s1h]

Beautiful!!

[@valerieturner8452]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MrDezydez]

You'll have the time of your life on that floor!

[@cirkulär_breaking_solutions]

Thats beautiful

[@vbggnana1386]

Love this so much.

[@DJMARKEYG]

Great perspective Dj Markey G

[@down2jupiter]

Ok but where the stepper clubs at?? I need exact locations chile!

[@down2jupiter]

Nvm Ik exactly where that ballroom is🤣🤣🤣

[@donnaharvey6202]

YESS YESSS WE STEPPERS N CHI-TOWN R SIMPLY THE BEST HANDS DOWN!!!

[@kckgirl78-r8g]

Ty Skippy…..RIP. 🥀 🙏🏽

[@starbright1]

Excellence of Blackness at it's Best!!💖💖💖

[@kathleenwiggins6166]

Bravo

[@beyondthislife5788]

Blessings Scorpio the Pimp.🥂

[@gregoryplater1168]

🥹 this warms my soul, culture is really beautiful

[@reeree1234able]

Absolutely 💯 beautiful love ❤️

[@reneebrown6529]

❤ Absolutely beautiful 😃 ❤

[@tiptopmomma]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@MaxcineRobinson-c4z]

King of all male stepper's is the late Ty Skibby FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!