Spring Break
Alpha Phi Alphas step it up in show
Ashley Davis
Issue date: 5/6/05 Section: The Edge
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Every year, Alpha Phi Alpha hosts Black and Gold, a weeklong event that includes educational programs, a talent show, a campus basketball game and a dance show. Stepping, which can be traced back to African tribal dancing, is traditionally performed by black fraternities and sororities. It combines spoken word and body percussion to create beats and tell stories.
In past years, Alpha Phi Alpha has invited sororities and fraternities from other schools as well as alumni, affectionately known as "old school."
"I wanted to come to see different Greeks performing," said Renee Garner, freshman communication major.
While the idea of a step show was appealing to some, it was the concert that brought other students to the event.
"It was very nice; they brought out a nice vibe with songs that everybody knew," said Reggie Gray, junior broadcasting major.
The show featured steppers from the fraternities of Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta and Alpha Phi Alpha. Do or Die's performance was sandwiched between the dances. The opening act consisted of Western students Seth Andrews, junior manufacturing engineering major, and Dominic Kelly, business management major.
"We opened for Bone Crusher for Homecoming, and it was a similar experience," Andrews said. "When we were asked again, we wanted to do it. We get a lot of support when we perform at school."
Do or Die said it also enjoyed the experience of performing for Western students.
"We love to perform," said Belo, one of the three members of the group. "We loved the audience, and they were feeling us."
The Chicago-based group, which served as a platform for rapper Twista to go solo, has sold more than three million albums. It is popularly known for its breakthrough single, "Po Pimp." The group performed songs from early in its career as well as songs from its new album.
Featured artists on the album include R. Kelly, Kanye West, Twista and Syleena Johnson. While Do or Die is currently promoting its new album, in stores now, and is also in the process of developing its own record label.
"We're taking the next step forward," said L.A., the group's manager. "Belo, A.K., N.A.R.D (the group's members) are all coming out with solo albums."
Although the group was more popular in the mid-'90s, it still was well received by the audience.
"It was fun singing along to their songs I knew from when I was younger," said Melody Ford, junior psychology and social work double major.
The step show and concert collaboration also went well with the students. "It was fun," said Shakenya Jackson, junior journalism major. "I'll definitely do it again next year."
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