J Setting with Jaquel Knight

Beyonce performs "Get Me Bodied", wearing Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière spring 2007 leggings.



J-Setting is a form of dancing has been a part of black gay culture for at least a decade, and was inspired by the famed Jackson State University band’s dance line, which is known as the Prancing J-Settes. The lead-and-mimic style of dancing—actually an interpretation of Bob Fosse's style in All That Jazz and Chicago— has been re-appropriated by black gay youth across the country, but is particularly popular in the South.

J-setting is a fixture in black gay clubs across Atlanta and other parts of the country—especially in Atlanta clubs such as Traxx and Chicago clubs like the Prop House—, with teams of dancers engaging in fierce battles against one another on the dance floor.

Jaquel Knight, a 19 year old choreographer from Atlanta choreographed Beyonce's video "Single Ladies". Jaquel was chosen by longtime Destiny's Child and Beyonce choreographer Frank Gatson.

“[Being a gay icon is] definitely my goal, and my dream,“ Knowles revealed during a 2006 interview with Here! TV. “That’s the ultimate thing I could be. That’s the ultimate compliment for me.”

Tracy Garraud of Vibe Magazine asks: Beyoncé: The New Queen of Queer?., and says: How Beyoncé became the gay man's best friend, and why it's important.

This queer did not elect Beyonce queen. She is not my best friend.

Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them.

My friends stick by me, support me, and love me. They don't use me when its convenient and then deny me to my face.

It is all very grand of Beyonce to utlize the talents of gay choreographers, fashion designers, makeup artists, and hair stylists. Without the gays she would be wearing her mothers tacky clothes, dancing the running man, and washing and setting her own wig.

And really, what has Beyonce ever done for the gays?

Where was Beyonce when Propositon 8 was put on the ballot in California? Why hasn't she spoken out against this bigotry and hatred?

Christina Aguilera, a true friend of the gays, spoke out against Proposition 8.

"Last night, there was a whole rally that I saw for Prop. 8," she told MTV News. "A lot of people came out with their signs, and I think [Prop. 8] is discrimination and I don't understand how people can be so closed-minded and so judgmental. We chose an African-American president, and it means so much ... [it's] a time in history of great change and open-mindedness. Why is this any different? It just doesn't make sense to me. Why you would put so much money behind something [aimed at] stopping from people loving each other and bonding together? I just don't understand it. It's hard for me to grasp. But I would've been out there with my rally sign as well."

George Clooney, a different kind of gay icon, told E!'s Ted Casablanca, "At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black."

Beyonce's silence on Proposition 8 is deafening. Jaquel Knight and Jonte are the real deal. Beyonce is the new Pat Boone: taking the fierceness of gay culture and watering it down for the masses.

J Setting:


Beyonce J Setting:


Beyonce dancing with Jonte:


Jaquel Knight's Choreography Reel:


Jaquel's Ladies night:


Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity:


Bob Fosse's All That Jazz:


Bob Fosse's Chicago:


Christina Aguilera speaks out against Proposition 8:


Proposition 8 The Musical:

Beyonce: I am....the new Pat Boone

Christmas is a time to be thankful for freedom, health, love, and friendship.

It is also a time to remember those who are less fortunate, or are no longer around to celebrate the holiday.

This Christmas, please think of JonBenet Ramsey. This Christmas is the 12 anniversary of her murder. She would be 18 years old if she were alive today. We will never know what woman she would have been....

Would she have been an entertainer like Beyonce? Beyonce and JonBenet have many parallels. They both have mothers who encouraged them to perform in provocative costumes. Beyonce performed on Star Search as a child. JonBenet competed in beauty pageants as a child.

Also, like JonBenet, Beyonce has a mother who dressed her up in provocative tacky clothes to perform in.

Beyonce Knowles is a cipher - she can be whatever you want her to be: Star Search contestant, girl group member, girl group leader, solo artist, superstar, girlfriend, wife, daughter, sister, Diana Ross, Deena Jones, Sasha Fierce, model, dancer, actress...............

Beyonce has always confused me, and left me cold. Her mother would dress her in tacky revealing costumes, yet she she wanted to be seen as a chaste Christian.

When Vanity sang "Nasty Girl" she sang "I'm looking for a man to love me, Like I've never been loved before. I'm looking for a man that'll do it anywhere,Even on the limousine floor.".

When Beyonce sang her version of " Nasty Girl" she sang: "These men don't want no hot female that's been around the block female, you nasty girl. Shakin' that thang on that man, lookin' all stank and nasty. Swore you look cute girl in them dukes, booty all out lookin' trashy. Sleazy put some clothes on, I told ya. Don't walk out ya heezy without clothes on, I told ya. You nasty girl, you nasty, you trashy. You classless girl, you sleazy you freaky.".

Her image didn't match her message.

Today, Beyonce has a couple of new tricks: performing in Gareth Pugh outfits - copying the moves Bob Fossse choreographed for Gwen Verdon, and some dancing new moves from choreographer Jonte.

I am not impressed. Beyonce is merely mimicking the postures and carriage of the Legendre fierce children of New York, as seen in Jennie Livingston's "Paris is Burning". Pop stars bringing the style of a minority safely to the white American masses is an old story. Pat Boone took the songs of Little Richard and homogenized them in the 1950's.

In 2009 I am lookign forward to more freedom, originality, peace, creativity, inspiration, and positive energy!

Agyness Deyn and Beyonce wearing Gareth Pugh:


JonBenet Ramsey:

Paris Is Burning:

Walk it out Fosse:

Jonte:


Single Ladies:

Single Ladies + Single Man + Fosse:


Cubby dances to Beyonce's Single Ladies Video:


Single Ladies (BIG GIRL REMIX)

Good Times

Rainy days & Mondays always get me down. It is currently 50°F (10°C) & rainy. The forecast calls for more rain, some heavy, and a thunderstorm. On days like today its important to hold on to your sense of humor & try to laugh. Gwen Verdon dancing to Walk It Out is the best. I put it on for the ladies of the Women art dept on a friday & we all had a laugh, at both the video & my attempts to mimic the Bob Fosse choreography. It ain't easy. By the end of the video my ribs are sore from laughing & my legs are sore from the kicks. And I feel much better- positively energized.
If Gwen Verdon hosted an aerobics lesson with Fosse moves & modern music I would sign up in a heartbeat.