Stomp The Yard Turns 17
By: Camille Shanklin
On this day seventeen years ago, we witnessed the debut of Chris Brown and Columbus Short in their breakthrough starring roles in Stomp the Yard. This film was a highly anticipated, not only for the love of dance, step, and HBCU but also for every girl's chance to see their favorite heart throb on the movie screen. The $21 million box office opening weekend exceeded the expectations of the filmmakers' original perception.
The film is set at a fictional HBCU where Darrell “DJ” Williams, played by Columbus Short, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle after the tragic death of his brother Duron, played by Chris Brown, at an underground dance battle with the dance crew Thug Unit and DJ's crew Goon Squad. DJ settles in Georgia to make a new life and forget his past. Unfortunately, the passion for dance wouldn’t let him go. He finds himself in a battle against the well-respected fraternity Mu Gamma Xi after becoming a part of the long-standing rival fraternity Theta Nu Theta. DJ challenges his ego, anger, and pride.
The whole world was shocked and even cried when Chris Brown's character was short-lived. We sat and watched, hoping that DJ would go back to dancing and representing his brother. However, we didn't foresee the reason why DJ had so many issues after dating April (played by Meagan Good). Her father, who was the dean of the school, had a vendetta against DJ because of his uncle. Gasping for air, we wondered if he would make it through to the finals with his fraternity brothers. Grant (played by Darrin Henson) became the antagonist, making us despise him even after the movie ended.
Personally, if you resonated with DJ's pain of losing his brother, masking it for so long, and then having to continue with life as if nothing happened just so no one would see your emotion, then you understood the irrational thinking and pressure he was under to pray he makes it out of his legal situation that the school had no idea about. The movie also taught a lesson that you can change and never give up on your passion. From the dope soundtrack with the movie's theme song “Go Hard or Go Home” by E40 to the inspiring dance style, Stomp the Yard did exactly what we wanted it to do in the end and will always be a captivating, incomparable movie that will remain one of our favorites.
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Meet Camille Shanklin, Media Correspondent for 247 Live Culture!