So You Think You Can Hop?

On Wednesday, November 13, 2013 students filled the top floor of the Lane University Center for the “So You Think You Can Hop” contest held by the NAACP fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. Over 100 students gathered in the Atkinson Room to watch five groups of anywhere between 5 and 7 girls participate in the well-known form of strolling called hopping.

As the crowd became anxious the Brothers of Omega Psi Phi turned on the speakers and music bounced off the walls. In a matter of minutes the first group came out wearing the traditional army pattern with black or purple accessories. As the first group of girls showed the crowd how they hopped the remaining groups, who watched from the crowd, became pumped and put on a just as convincing performance. In the end the winners were broken up into three places. The group that went last and caused the biggest uproar in the small Atkinson Room took home the medal for first place while group number three claimed second place and group number two claimed third place. One of the competitors, senior Cierra Dupree, was satisfied that her team won second place, but felt that they could have done better. “We did pretty good considering the large crowd but now I know what we need to work on if we compete again in the future,” she said glancing at her teammates.

Omega Psi Phi or the “Ques”, as they are more commonly called, participate in hopping when performing or strolling. Hopping involves the members to do certain moves that require intense hopping and stomping. Throughout history the fraternity has been known to put on intense performances involving hopping that requires a lot of space and little preparation.

            The “So You Think You Can Hop” contest was presented one week ago and was made open to any female student who believed they can truly hop like a Que. The girls participating, which included around 25 to 30 in total, were required to practice every evening in numerous places on and off campus. The late hours of practicing paid off and resulted in a great show. The crowd seemed to have enjoyed the competition more than the competitors because they were dancing more than those on the spotlight.

            Music played by some of the latest hip-hop and R&B artist like, rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and singers Usher and Ciara, caused the crowd to party while in the audience. The performances were proven to be extremely unique because the girls involved, had a way of incorporating feminine dance moves with hopping. They twirled and grind while taking time from the feminine side of their performance to hop and stroll.

            “The girls killed it. All the late night practicing was well worth it,” screamed fraternity member Brandon Ragin into the microphone. The brothers of Omega Psi Phi seemed to be very impressed with the girls performances and had nothing but good things to say about each team.

Members of the third group, who claimed second place, doing the "dog pose" with fellow fraternity members.