Drewry Alexander II Makes History: Detroit Brings Home a Winner Back
Oct 16, 2010
We said he couldn’t do it but it got done! Drewry (Drew) Alexander II made history at the 2010 World’s Largest Steppers competition in Tinley Park, Illinois on September 26, 2010. At 19, he was the youngest contestant to ever win in 1st in the Walkers Category with Detroiter Ann Dobson-Hunter, 1st in Trios with Chicago natives Pat Clay and Lady Margaret Fisher and 3rd in New Skool Original with Keesha Anderson. I can tell you that hearing the news about Drew’s winnings almost felt as good as the night when President Obama was declared our new president. Waiting certainly paid off for Detroit and their newly crowned steppin prince…Drewry Alexander II.
Tracey: Hey Drew…I definitely am gonna have to admit a lot of us were wrong this time around. I think that when we stood by for years and watched potential wins being taken out of the hands of out of towners…it kind of left a bad taste in our mouths when it came to the WLSC. Did you go in having any self doubts because of OUR insecurities?
Drew: No… not at all. I wouldn’t say that Chicago doesn’t like out of towners steppin abilities but they have certainly showed me lots of love. The thought that I wouldn’t be given a fair chance was never a thought in my head just because I’m not from Chicago.
Tracey: I know that Anthony and Nora (Drew’s parents) are quite proud of your achievements as a dancer but I know that they are equally as proud of your achievements academically. You are currently enrolled in college majoring in what?
Drew: I am studying Physical Therapy with a minor in Massage Therapy. I also have a part-time job.
Tracey: In addition to working, you are also teaching others how to step in the Detroit area. You have a lot on your plate. Are you ready for the things that come with this steppin notoriety i.e. people who want to be friends with Drew the dancer as opposed to Drew the person? "Cougars” who are forgetting that you just want to dance and not romance, etc.?
Drew: (Laughing) Cougars? I am always ready for whatever challenges teaching or whatever challenges being Drew "the dancer” brings. My parents have taught me to notice the "bull” and to keep an open mind and to not take things negatively and for me to keep my head up. I was raised to do what I thought and felt was right regardless of what anyone else feels or thinks.
Tracey: I received a lot of flack back in 2007 for giving you the moniker of "The Phenom.” People said I acted too prematurely in calling you that because they felt you had many years to go before you should even receive a title. Did you deserve that name back then and do you think you deserve it even more now?
Drew: Well the name doesn’t have much to do with the person behind the dance. To say one thing because I’ve won a contest doesn’t define who I am. People can call me Drew or "Phenom”. My name will always be Drew in the end. As long as I keep my name and not try to be something that I’m not…I’m alright with that.
Tracey: Okay…here we go. Back in 2007, when I first interviewed you, you gave me a list of names of people that were instrumental in providing your initial instruction in this dance. I don’t know how the story got turned around but once and for all, who gave you your fundamentals when you first started steppin?
Drew: The person who gave me my fundamentals was Jamal Brown, formerly of Chicago. He was the reason why I wanted to learn the dance in the first place. I progressed after that. I had people like Sherry Gordon, James Pacely, Feo Duncan, Candace Hinton, Tracey Bivens…a lot of people helped to put something in the pot. I would watch Tyk Myn and other Chicago steppers dance and I was able to get a lot of different perspectives which helped me progress more in the dance.
Tracey: Have you ever received any private lessons?
Drew: No I have not taken any private lessons. I have been able to get information from people verbally and by watching. For example, Feo used to show me "things” and so did Tyk but I’ve always been able to look and progress in the dance.
Tracey: Is it true that you can see a dance move no matter who is doing it and recreate a move without direct one on one instruction?
Drew: Yes I can. I’m happy that God blessed me with the talent and skill to do that.
Tracey: How important was your win for the Detroit community?
Drew: It was very important. Even though I’m from Highland Park, which is a city within Detroit, it let Chicago know that there are cities that can do the dance just as well as some of the steppers in Chicago. Detroit has talented individuals that can hang with Chicago at the same time. This was the first time ever that an out of towner has taken walkin, that someone my age was able to place multiple times…just being noticed was a humbling experience and a big deal for Detroit and myself. Detroit definitely has something to offer to this dance.
Tracey: Are you being besieged with offers from dance partners for future contests at this time?
Drew: I’ve had a couple of different offers. However, I am very loyal to the partners I’ve competed with from Detroit. When I win…they win. I wouldn’t mind dancing with anybody. I’m very open.
Tracey: What new up and coming steppers are you watching with admiration these days?
Drew: Wow! Well, Darryl, Richard and TJ from Detroit are doing it. A young lady named Keesha who is also from Detroit that I instructed from the very beginning. Adrienne and Allison from the ATL…they have some cold blooded footwork! Jazzy from Milwaukee, who also competed in the beginners category this past year is someone I keep an eye on as well.
Tracey: Are you going to compete next year in the Masters Category or are you gonna take a year or two off from competing? I mean let’s face it…what is there left to prove?
Drew: No. I’m not going to take any time off. (Laughing) It was suggested that I try to compete in the Masters Category next year but if the category is not offered I will compete in the Old School Category or strive to win in the New Skool category’s 1st place prize.
Tracey: Do you have anything that you would like to say to the steppin community as a whole?
Drew: Take the politics out the dance. We don’t need it. It’s not necessary to have politics and the dance at the same time. Everybody has the talent and skill to win if they put the time and effort into the dance. I believe that I represented but practicing
