On Saturday night, the Iota Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted the first-ever Hop Like a Que at NIU. Located on the second floor of the Holmes Student Center, the Duke Ellington Ballroom was filled with anticipation. 

Hop Like a Que is a traditional event for Omega Psi Phi chapters across campuses. The competition brings together teams of women to study and perform the signature “hops” that Omega Psi Phi are known for. The event is rooted within the traditions and values of Divine Nine organizations, highlighting the strength and teamwork that it takes to “hop” in a Que Dog line. 

Recreating these routines is typically considered out of the norm within Divine Nine culture, however, this event is intentionally created to highlight the discipline, athleticism and brotherhood instead of simply imitating their moves. 

The night usually involves bringing together teams of women, who are referred to as “Pupz” instead of “Bruhz” or “Ladies” instead of “Que Dawgs,” where each routine is led by a “caller” who initiates the chants, the remainder of the line following suit.

Cameron Lovett, a senior health and human sciences major and Omega Psi Phi member, spoke about the meaning behind Hop Like A Que.

“It’s a chance to show the real energy that we put into our performances. It’s a chance to give other people a chance to see what it takes to do and put on the show that we do,” Lovett said. “It’s a great event overall. It gives us a chance to not only make some money, but also bring the whole school out to watch an event and watch people do stuff that they’re used to seeing us do.”

The doors opened at 7 p.m., and due to a tornado warning the program was delayed until 9:30 p.m. When doors opened back up, rows of seating were quickly filled by an energized crowd. As the music began to play, the show started with the host calling up Omega men in attendance to the stage for a roll call. 

Soon after, teams were announced as they walked down aisles of seating in a unified stroll line before the official competition started.

In performance order, four groups took the stages: 14 Queens of Combat, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Crowd Control and Bad2TheBone. 

Although only three teams were in competition, 14 Queens of Combat, Crowd Control, and Bad2TheBone, the personal invitation extended to the fourth team, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was because organizations who together are known as “Coleman Kids” that traces back to their respective founders at Howard University getting married.

14 Queen of Combat was the first team to come on stage. They opened their performance with the well known “What Are We Gonna Do?” chant which almost immediately established the high intensity energy of the night. 

Their routine shifted into crowd favorite calls, “We Don’t Need No Working Man,” “Who is That Knocking” and “Rolling, Rolling, Rolling,” where the energy of the crowd on stage grew as the performers showcased a variety of stepping, shaking and stomping that flowed through transitions. 

Aaliyah Ivy, a sophomore marketing major, performed with 14 Queen of Combat and spoke on her experience from the practice days to the event itself.

“I felt as if we all came together as a family, and really put our all into it,” Ivy said. “We practiced every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then up to the show, we practiced every day. I feel like it was a good amount of work to put in for the show.”

Delta Sigma Theta followed their performance, and although they were invited as guests rather than competitors, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta didn’t let that hold them back from giving their all. 

While many of the performances were meant to showcase the moves of Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta highlighted their own traditions and strolls, beginning with their chant “Strong and Intelligent (Like An Elephant),” which included various elements of stomp and shake, a historically Black dance style that is distinct from strolling with its sharp, stomping moves and rhythmic clapping that create a beat that the crowd couldn’t help but follow. 

After the first half of their performance, the music transitioned into their stroll line setlist, which included “I Think I Love Her” by Gucci Mane, “She’s Got That Vibe” by R. Kelly, and “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame and Roscoe Dash. They later performed their iconic “I Want To Be A Delta” chant, during which the men of Omega Psi Phi joined in from below the stage for a call-and-response between the Coleman Kids that lasted until the closing chant, “What Is a Delta.”

The third team to come onstage, Crowd Control, had a dramatic entrance to “Smoking Gun” by Magnolia Shorty. A double back handspring by one of their performers kept a strong grip on the audience’s attention as they moved through the various hops, stomps and spins performed by Que Dogs.

As they moved into the three line formation, the start of their routine included iconic Omega Psi Phi chants such as “Move Like A Que” and “I Will Jump (The Highest),” finishing with “Always Love Omega” which included asynchronous hopping and clapping from each formation as their performance continued. 

Beyond the signature Que hops, stomps and steps, Crowd Control concluded their performance with the “Bridge Builder” move, a signature Omega Psi Phi formation that included the interlocking of member arms in a line, named after the poem “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole which signifies the connections across generations within the fraternity. 

Last but not least, Bad2TheBone was the fourth and final competitor to go, closing the competition after hosts of the event announced a Divine Nine roll call in order to recognize all nine historically Black-Greek organizations.

Their routine included a “Get Freaky” chant and “Rolling, Rolling, Rolling” before ending with their final stroll to “Wipe Me Down” which prompted the audience to dance and sing along during their performance. 

The judges of the competition, composed of alumni and honorary members connected to Omega Psi Phi, evaluated the performances based on precision and sharpness of their moves as well as the vocal intensity of the calls that were given. 

After a drum roll from the crowd, it was announced that Crowd Control would be given the winning title of NIU’s first ever Hop Like A Que event. 

Kennedi Johnson, a first-year nursing major and one of the performers in Crowd Control, spoke about her first time performing in an event like this.

“I feel great, honored honestly,” Johnson said. “I love my team, we stuck with each other through thin and thick and we were really good. You get so hype, and it’s mad energy so you’re gonna have fun.”

For future events or information from the Delta Iota chapter of Omega Psi Phi, visit their Instagram for more.