This post is dedicated to the most overlooked, underestimated, underappreciated, but most influential member of the step experience…the SPECTATOR.

Think about it for a moment. Who creates the demand for stepping? Better yet, who actually dictates the flow of the show? Who fuels rivalries? Who screams, chants, cheers, applauds, key jingles, dances, talks trash, et cetera et cetera? Most of all, who serves as an ad hoc judge and can decide who ultimately wins or loses a competition? ….Don’t worry, I’ll wait….

The Spectator.

I mean, everyone knows I hold steppers down like a paperweight all day. But after I got to thinkin’ about it, there really wouldn’t be stepping if there weren’t spectators. Steppers know that if the audience doesn’t give them energy, it’s gonna be a loooong show. Judges know that if the audience isn’t feeling the show, the overall performance may not be as captivating. DJs can’t take the event to the next level with out’em. Security wouldn’t have a job with out’em. And Youtube footage would be absolutely boring with out’em (yall know damn well you look forward to hearing the kat to the left of the camera sayin something like “Awww hell naw, that was just a hot ass mess”, “She look like a special ed cheerleader”, or the infamous…. “I want my money back”). Whether in an arena, out on the street, in the church multi-purpose room, or in somebody’s dorm room, spectators are the “Ebert & Roeper”- style critics who determine what moves were crispy, trite, or mind-blowing. One thing you’ll never see a spectator do is approve something that’s WACK! WHO DOESN’T APPRECIATE THAT?!

Spectators deserve more credit than they get, and steppers need to be the first to give it to them. They come to shows with no shot at a cash prize, no fame or glory, and nobody cheering for them. They come because it’s their duty. So to start the movement, I’mma be the first to say it. Spectators, Yall ARE the Show.

p.s. Spectators, go cop your iStep T-shirts…it’s befitting.