Mississippi State University’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) hosted its 2024 NPHC Step Show on Nov. 1. Both winning groups, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, were awarded trophies and a cash prize of $500.
DJ8K hosted the step show, which took place in Humphrey Coliseum, where a BabyFace Ray Concert was held afterward. During the intermission, the dance group “Maroon Misses” performed a majorette-style dance and amped up the crowd.
This is the first time since 2019 that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have won the NPHC step show together. Four fraternities, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi and three sororities, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Alpha Kappa Alpha, participated in the step show. Each group had a creative performance that captivated the crowd’s attention and kept the energy high.
Alpha Phi Alpha took home the trophy in the fraternity portion with its show based on football tryouts. The show depicted players preparing for the tryouts and the struggles of being under a strict coach, with tryout events and players’ emotions defining the performance.
Some of the songs during the performance included “Body Party” by Ciara and “Top Notch” by BossMan Slow. Their show also included the viral TikTok, “I’m tired of this, Grandpa,” and a famous quote from coach Herman Boone, Denzel Washington’s character in the movie “Remember the Titans.”
The slogan for Alpha Kappa Alpha’s (AKA) performance was “Protect the Pearls,” and they played the part of spies. Before the show started, there was a video portraying the members learning that the 20 pearls were missing and their plan to get them back.
Holly Hatcher-Frazier served as a guest in the AKA’s video. Frazier has helped the members navigate how to regain their possessions. Some of the songs during the show included “Earned It” by The Weekend and “Good Form” by Nicki Minaj. Their win this year makes Alpha Kappa Alpha back-to-back champions, as they were the winners of last year’s step show as well.
Every sorority and fraternity had a theme for their show. Sigma Gamma Rho’s show was centered around boxing, while Zeta Phi Beta’s show centered around cheerleading tryouts.
Kappa Alpha Psi’s show was centered around the “Joker.” Omega Psi Phi competed with a theme about tiredness and wanting rest from training. Lastly, Phi Beta Sigma’s theme centered around Jabbawockeez, renamed “Sigmawockeez.”
The environment was thrilling and energetic, as the step show is always a highly anticipated event. Spectators reacted positively to each performance because of their individualism, costumes and skits. Each performance incorporated popular songs and memes, which brought life and humor to the Step Show.
Two fraternities made several notable achievements this year. The Eta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and the Kappa Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. celebrated 50 years since their charter.
