Thomas D. Junior (T. J.)
Next on the list of Up and Coming Heavy Hitters is TJ (Thomas D. Junior) who hails from Detroit. The 28 year old is definitely one to watch! ChiStepper chatted with T.J. to find out a little more about this seemingly quiet young prodigy making a name for himself on the Steppin scene.
Jacque Hood (JH): I always start my interviews out trying to find out more about how people fell in love with Steppin. So T.J. when did you fall in love with Steppin? Well, let me back up. Are you in love with Steppin?
Thomas D. Junior (TJ): Yes! I’m in love with Steppin all day long. It happened about 3 years ago at Club Yesterdays. Back then I didn’t know what Steppin was. Club Yesterdays has Ballroom, Hip Hop and Steppers classes and other classes. I first started Ballrooming and I saw people Steppin which made me inquire. Certain people made the dance look nice and smooth and I noticed it was very different than Ballrooming and they were dancing on a different beat. But seriously I had never heard of Steppin and didn’t know it started in Chicago or how popular it was. I just liked how it looked so I started researching it on YouTube!
JH: Of course you know now! (Laughing)
TJ: Yeah, yeah. I learned Chicago was the mecca real quick.
JH: So who were some of the people you started following on YouTube?
TJ: Initially, I would look at any video that popped up when I typed in “Steppin? Who ever came up I would watch their video. But I eventually started watching Tyk, Tall Rick, Drew, Feo & Candace, Ty Skippy and lot of other people.
JH: So T.J. how did you know you were addicted? Addicted to Steppin that is?
TJ: Oh wow, after maybe my first trip to Chicago. My first class in Chicago with Donnie Davis. I would see him on YouTube and I would hear people say that he should be the 1st class I take in Chicago, so I had to go. Donnie and G were the first people I got cool with in Chicago. After that trip I was really hungry for the dance!
JH: What was it that people told you that made you want to take Donnie’s class and what do you like about his class?
TJ: I would always hear that his class had a lot of good positive energy. You could go and it would be like a class and a set at the same time. He had an instructor for beginners, another for intermediate and he would always work with the advanced students. Everybody from out-of-town would always say you would love going to his class because Donnie would be very glad to see out-of-towners. He would show us a lot of love and pull us to the side and work with us personally. But I love his class. I haven’t been in over a year but I’d go to take the class, hang out or help out anytime.
JH: While we are on the subject of instructors who was your first instructor?
TJ: My 1st Steppin instructor was my Ballroom instructor in Detroit, Dave. He was teaching Steppin after the Ballroom class. Then I started learning from different instructors and went to clubs to implement what I was learning. I would be in Drew’s classes perfecting my craft or helping him when he needed it and then I would hit the club.
JH: So you jumped right out and into the clubs? You weren’t nervous to get out there?
TJ: Of course I was nervous. In general you are nervous when you are learning the dance. I wish I had a videotape to see the foolishness of when I first started Steppin in the clubs. I was very intimidated when I learned how popular the dance was. Everyone that I met in Detroit was very humble and helpful teaching me the dance. I put a lot of work into crafting my dance. I always want to learn more and I’m willing to work with everyone.
JH: Alright T.J. you “seem” to be a quiet person but you know what they say about assuming. Are you as quiet as you give the impression to be?
TJ: I’m a laid back dude - to the general public I guess I am quiet. When I’m out, I’m there to dance. I don’t talk much ‘cause there is too much going on. When I’m out Steppin, I say hello and I keep it moving. I guess I don’t have an approachable/social attitude. I like to watch and learn the aspects of the dance.
JH: Side note … are light-skin brothers making a comeback?
TJ: (Laughing) They ain’t ever left! We just don’t come out as often. We on our chill mode most of the time! (Still Laughing)
JH: How do you feel about dating on the scene?
TJ: I don’t do a lot of personal stuff on the scene. I don’t mind dating someone who steps but I am very particular [about] who I deal with. Much love and respect to those who do and if it goes that way for me then cool! But I don’t want to be no hoe out there so I am more stand-offish for that reason. Again, I don’t have a problem with it but it brings a lot of stress and drama in general. You gotta be a real strong person to deal with the situations on the scene.
JH: Are you dating now?
TJ: No comment. (Laughing) I don’t really tell too much of my personal business.
JH: Okay, okay. Moving on … what is your definition of a ‘Heavy-Hitter’?
TJ: Tough question. I would say somebody versatile in their dance. It’s not really above their moves or their footwork. It’s really about how you dance to the music and executing certain moves if the music calls for it. Being open-minded within the dance. I don’t label anyone, it’s the Steppin community that calls out a heavy hitter. A lot of those who are seen as or called “Heavy-Hitters” have brought something to this dance. I look at it as what has the person has brought to Steppin. I think that’s what matters when it comes to who is or who isn’t a “Heavy-Hitter.” I can’t get enough of watching people who bring something new every time they are on the floor.
JH: Well on the scene, who are some of these people who motivate you to keep improving your game?
TJ: My favorite people that keep me motivated? Well my mentor, Pat Clay keeps me on my toes and educates me. Drew, Keesha, Feo, Candace, Sherry, Tyk, Tall Rick … those are some of the people I see most of the time. But there are others with really creative dances that also motivate me like WestSide Mike and Ty Skippy. Even watching Dave Maxx … his flow is like he’s on skates all the time. Then there are a lot of women with a smooth creative flow that I take note of and learn from.
JH: So who are some of these women that you watch or love to dance with?
TJ: There are a lot of them. Sherry is cold with it, Candace, Keesha and Pat. Then there are so many out-of-towners that do their thing in the dance. The people that I named are those that find you in the dance. Shouts out to those particular ladies ‘cause they really helped me craft my technique, my style and my dance in general.
JH: Well TJ, I have to tell you that I have heard from several women that you are a really good lead and quite a few ladies enjoy dancing with you.
TJ: Wow! I am humbled to hear that. It’s refreshing but without y’all it ain’t a dance. You all make it what it is. You can only do what we give you.
JH: So TJ, are there any women out there that you haven’t danced with that you want to?
TJ: Honestly, I don’t think it hasn’t been a lady that I haven’t at least had one dance with. On the spot I can’t think of anyone. I have danced with so many people.
JH: So are you ready for the World’s Largest?
TJ: No doubt! My energy is right, my confidence is there … I’m ready to go when the music comes on!
JH: Is Detroit hungrier for the dance than Chicago?
TJ: Hmmmm … it’s about the same level from what I’ve seen. But when it comes to the actual dance, it’s more balanced on the women’s side. On the men’s side I don’t think so. A lot of men try to learn it but not perfect the craft. We try to teach men to dance to the music. I could say that from what I’ve seen when I’m in Chicago, I see more creativity from different men than just a couple of men when I’m in Detroit. Chicago is always where it’s going to be. That’s where we go to learn the dance. You can’t compare what you all already have to what we are well … trying to get our men to. We are just trying to keep the dance on the same pace/flow as Chicago.
JH: Okay, Old-School or New-School music?
TJ: Old School, but I do listen to new school. There are a few songs I like but I don’t know as much about new school music on the Steppin scene as much. I’m a smooth type of guy. For me I’m definitely rolling with Old School.
JH: Old School or New School dancing?
TJ: The dance is constantly changing but it all generates from Old School. When any of us first started Steppin, we probably learned from an Old School instructor or someone who was influenced by an Old School instructor. New School just brings a little extra to the dance now. I wouldn’t have learned anything of what I know unless I was watching Old Schoolers.
JH: There it is … Old-School! Thank you TJ and good luck in the World’s Largest Steppers Contest!
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