This interview, conducted nearly 2 years ago in December of 2006 featured a rising star in the Steppin' game. Since then, Dominique Robinson has become a household name on the national Steppin' scene and his services are requested around the country.

To give you a little historical perspective on Dominique's interview, a number of steppers were pissed that Nique was featured in the Heavy Hitters section of the site. Chicago Steppers, in the their normal territorial fashion did not feel that a stepper from Milwaukee, or out-of-town period, was eligible to wear that crown. Considering how far the Steppin' game has come, it's almost funny to think that the steppers didn't want to give Nique any credit. Like many things however, ChiStepper stuck to its guns and supported B. Taylor's request to feature Nique as a Heavy Hitter and in the end, it seems that we were right. With that said, both the new and the faithful ChiSteppers get to enjoy this interview 1 more time.

How long have you been Steppin? 3 years.

B. Taylor: What motivated you to learn to Step?

Dominique: The funny part about that is nothing ever motivated me. I was at home one day watching the BET videos and Gerald Levert came on with the song “Baby U Are” and they were getting their step on. It was May 2003. I was watching the playoff game and stopped in a bar called Magnolias. I went into the bar to order my food and heard music downstairs. I went downstairs and they were having a steppin’ class. I met Cynthia from MSBU and she asked me to join them because they needed more men.

B. Taylor: How would you label your style of dance? You’ve been described by many as an “old school stepper” in a “new school body” with a smoothness that is definitely sought after - have you ever heard that before?

Dominique: I know that I don’t dance like anyone else. I’ve actually heard a lot of different philosophies on my style. I get a lot of compliments from the old schoolers. It depends on the music for me. I let the music take me where it wants me to go.

B. Taylor: What do you think about people comparing your steppin’ style to a young version of Pete Frazier?

Dominique: I didn’t know that. I’ve certainly never watched myself dance, but I certainly don’t have a problem with the comparison. Pete is a phenomenal dancer and definitely been in the game long enough to have proven himself. I can’t complain. That is a great compliment.

B. Taylor: You’re considered quite an “enigma” on the set - how do you feel about that?

Dominique: That’s the way it should be. That’s why personal business is called p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l business - not community or public business.

Dominique: I just come out to dance. It’s not a lot of places to dance in Milwaukee.

B. Taylor: Your partner right now is Shareda Newbern right?

Dominique: Yes.

B. Taylor: Have you ever been partners with anyone else in competition?

Dominique: Rhonda Freeman.

B. Taylor: How did you become partners with Shareda?

Dominique: Actually I met Shareda at 3Gs and we started talking about contests and competition and she asked me to dance after she won the Angie Faine contest in 2005.

B. Taylor: Do you get tired of the constant practicing that goes with competing?

Dominique: The most I’ve ever practiced was for the WLSC contest in 2005. We practiced about a month. We only had 2 weeks of practice for the 3Gs contest 2005. Our ideas were connecting like pieces of a puzzle. Practice is never hard for me.

B. Taylor: Do you ever fight with your partner?

Dominique: We never fight, but we don’t always agree. We actually agree to disagree.

B. Taylor: What do you feel your weaknesses/strengths are as a stepper?

Dominique: My weaknesses are I don’t dance as much as I would like to. I get in an average of 2 hours per week and that’s in class. That helps my mind go to work because I think of ways to be more creative especially when I hear music. The visions just come to me. My strengths would definitely be versatility. I have a combination of new school and old school style. I learn very fast. I taught classes before I ever competed.

B. Taylor: With you being a single bachelor how does teaching classes, competing and practicing affect your personal life?

Dominique: It doesn’t affect me at all. With a contest my practice schedule is 2 days a week. It really doesn’t consume a whole lot of my time.

B. Taylor: Are you often or ever intimidated by the competition?

Dominique: No. Luckily I have the mindset that no one intimidates me. You can only do what you can do. There is no one that I’m afraid to compete against.

B. Taylor: You are Chistepper’s first “new school” heavy hitter and you‘re from Milwaukee. (laughing) Did you know that?

Dominique: No I didn’t know that, but I definitely appreciate that and feel honored. (laughing)

B. Taylor: There has been talk of a West side versus South side competition just for the fun of it (no money involved), would you ever participate in something like this?

Dominique: Definitely. I would do it.

B. Taylor: Did you know that Shareda is considered the lead when the two of you have danced?

Dominique: No. I didn’t know that. It’s a matter of opinion, but it’s funny that she can be considered the lead if she is the one following, but if they give my partner that much credit then she deserves it because she is definitely the best. It’s just a matter of jealousy and I have accepted it.

B. Taylor: Do you compete just for the “love of the game“?

Dominique: Yes. I feel you can’t use competing as a way to make a living.

B. Taylor: What did you do prior to Steppin'?

Dominique: I worked, traveled - I’ll jump on a plane in a minute and I played basketball. I am very competitive.

B. Taylor: So with your traveling that doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for personal connections does it? (laughing)

Dominique: (Laughing) No it doesn’t leave room for a lot of personal connections. Like right now I mainly travel from Milwaukee to Chicago and working a lot. I just came back from Savannah, Georgia doing a workshop.

B. Taylor: It’s been rumored that you are having relationships with numerous ladies on the set..............why do you think that is? Is it true?

Dominique: No, its not true.

B. Taylor: Why do people say this about you?

Dominique: It’s a lot of people on the set that consume themselves with other peoples lives. A lot of people fear what they can’t understand and a lot of people hate what they can’t conquer. When they can’t conquer they find a reason to hate it. When they can’t understand it they fear it. It would have to be five of me to sleep with all the women that I’ve been linked with. (laughing)

B. Taylor: You appear to have a lot of respect for yourself with that statement.

Dominique: I don’t have a problem with holding back. I’m a very picky guy. (laughing) You always have certain women who make themselves more readily available. My theory is that if you are a lady come to me as a lady.

B. Taylor: What happens when they don’t conduct themselves like a lady?

Dominique: It’s a matter of what they’re doing. I can easily walk away from someone that’s too wild or obnoxious.

B. Taylor: A lot of women have said that you’re stuck up and full of yourself. You're obviously received well by most of the ladies in the Steppin' community. Do you think it's because of your dancing ability, your personality, or your looks?

Dominique: (laughing) That’s a matter of opinion. Some people may think it’s one of three, some people may think it’s all three. As far as being stuck up or full of myself, they are way on the other side of the planet. I’m not full of myself. I would have to ask why would some women make me out to be arrogant? I have not given anyone a reason to feel that way.

B. Taylor: Would you mess with a married woman?

Dominique: No. It’s not my style.

B. Taylor: Will you date outside your race?

Dominique: No. I love my African American sisters - they are the cream of the crop.

B. Taylor: Will you fight if you’re ever confronted?

Dominique: Hell yeah! Most people who know me know that I’m as laid back as they come, but trust me if you want to try me then you’ll find out in a hurry. I’m not looking to start a fight but I’m not going to run from one either. If anyone has an issue with Dominique just holla at me and we can clear it up real fast.

B. Taylor: What is the relationship with MSBU and Milwaukee's New Life Steppers ... it was rumored that you all couldn't work together because of personal differences at some point. Then you all united and had a party together.

Dominique: I am a member of MSBU [Editor's Note: Dominique is no longer a member of MSBU]. We all interact socially. I never had personal differences with them. Mykel of Milwaukee’s New Life Steppers has even deejayed a couple of our parties.

B. Taylor: You guys put together really nice parties in Milwaukee, does Milwaukee feel they get enough support from Chicago?

Dominique: No. I think we get support from time to time only, but we could use more. Like me, I’ve never been to an After 7 set at the Chicago Park Hotel so a person’s schedule doesn’t always allow them to make each set.

B. Taylor: Is it tough having to drive hours away from Milwaukee to dance with other Steppers who aren't your students?

Dominique: No. I don’t drink so after I dance I go home. The drive is not exhausting or tiring. I cut on my music and just drive on home.

B. Taylor: This is the second time you’ve mentioned your music? How important is that you?

Dominique: Music is very important to me. Music is a part of life. For most people it’s been a part of everyone’s life since they were little kids. We all grew up with music. Music can take you through different stages in your life … it comes from the soul. You can relate a particular song to different stages in your life that you’ve been through. Music can calm you.

B. Taylor: I like that. I’ve never thought of it that way. How did you elevate your dance with such a limited group of people to dance with in Milwaukee?

Dominique: I would have to relate back to me picking up on things quickly. When I had the basics mastered I applied everything to the music. I was at a point where I was 3 months into steppin’ and I felt that I was getting stagnated with the limited number of people to dance with. I’ve never even had a male instructor. Mykel of Milwaukee’s New Life Steppers told me when I got bored to “take everything and reverse it. Everything you do on the left do it on the right.”

B. Taylor: Your philosophy on reversing the order is a lot like your partners. Did you know this?

Dominique: Yes. That’s the funny thing. I can think of a move and she’ll be on the same page. It’s kind of scary.

B. Taylor: But that makes a good dance chemistry.

Dominique: Oh yeah - definitely.

Dominique: I feel that you should never do a turn the way someone else did it. You need to add your own variation to it.

B. Taylor: Do you ever plan to relocate to Chicago? If so, why and when?

Dominique: I planned to do it. Maybe within the next 2 years.

B. Taylor: When you lived in Chicago how long did you live here?

Dominique: I lived in Chicago for at least 15 years on the Southside.

B. Taylor: What is your opinion of other heavy hitters?

Dominique: I think Dre is the best of the best. When I read the interview with Unique Maurice it took me somewhere that I’ve never been before with the dance.

Dominique: Tall Rick, Tyk Myn and Royce are also highly respected by me for the dance.

B. Taylor: Who are your favorite male/female steppers:

Dominique: For the women my #1 pick is my partner Shareda, #2 is Danielle based upon what I’ve scene in the past and the present, Margaret is #3, Angie Faine #4, Sylvia #5 (George Macaroni’s partner), Tina Moore #6, Lola #7, Monique #8, Rhonda Freeman #9 and Hope is #10. Honorable mentions would be Shanelle and Sha.

B. Taylor: Hope is one of my favorites too. Hopefully we will be seeing her on the heavy hitter’s page soon (laughing). What about for the men?

Dominique: This is in no particular order. Dre Blackwell, Royce, Unique Maurice, Tall Rick, Westside Mike, Pete Frazier, Keith Hubbard, Tyk Myn, Darrell from 3Gs and Ken Amorio. My honorable mentions would be Ken Hilliard and Tony Dow.

B. Taylor: Who do you think is up and coming on the set other than yourself?

Dominique: For the females I would say LeLe and Sanora. For the guys it would be Smoke from Atlanta and Dwain. If I forgot anyone I’m sorry - charge it to my head and not my heart.

B. Taylor: What do you think about the new school dancers considering that you are actually a part of the new school steppers that are out here today?

Dominique: I think the new school is fantastic! I love old and new school. You have so many different styles. New school is just an additional chapter to the book of steppin’. You might not want to read the whole book. New school is a new twist with a lot of everything. I don’t juke when I step but that’s something different. You have to let the dance evolve. You can tailor it but you should not criticize the new school for their style of steppin’. You have to evolve. New steppin’ creativity should be added to the other categories in a contest. Some people want to see that. You can always learn something from somebody even if they are a horrible stepper. I analyze the dance a lot.

B. Taylor: You are up and coming pretty fast, you have accomplished so much with this dance in such a short time. Do you have any goals outside or within this dance or your class that you still plan to accomplish?

Dominique: Oh yeah. As far as my class goes there are some guys in my class that learn a little slower than the women - women grasp things a little faster (laughing) - I want a class for a lot of men to help them fine tune what they already know and I definitely want to win first place in the World’s Largest. I just want to continue to grow and let the dance do what it wants to do. I let the song dictate what I may or may not do. I have been fortunate enough not to have to get on the highway to go and take a class. I feel the music helps a lot and what also helped me in the beginning was Lisa, who taught me my basics and she had already been dancing for a few years, right after class I would dance with her. That and of course dancing with Shareda. Women actually helped my dance more than any men.

When I have my class I watch them as a whole, but I am also watching them individually. Your feet need to be at certain spot on the floor when on a certain number. A lot of people don’t know that most songs have a 3 beat rhythm.

B. Taylor: You sound like a harsh taskmaster.

Dominique: I really am - especially when it comes down to what I know you’re capable of doing and what you are not doing in my class, but I am only a harsh taskmaster when I’ve already seen you accelerate to a certain level and I see that you are performing below that level.

B. Taylor: What is your fondest or worst steppin’ memory?

Dominique: My best memory was winning 2nd place with Shareda in the 2005 WLSC. The worst memory was in the 2006 WLSC.

B. Taylor: What would you like to say to all the haters out there?

Dominique: Keep hating. God gives me the ability to see who is real and who is superficial. I see them and I know who they are. Haters help your star shine a little bit brighter. The funny thing is when you hate something for no apparent reason it says a lot about your character.

B. Taylor: Anything that you would like to say to all the steppers out there?

Dominique: I would just say don’t take the fun out of the dance. Keep doing what you do because you love doing it. Have your own reasons for steppin’. Steppin’ should be a release like therapy. Do what you feel. No one on the steppin’ scene is named “God”.

Fun Facts About Dominique:

Birth: March 14th (Pisces)

Born: Jacksonville, Florida

Marital Status: Single

Favorites Place to Dance Now: 3Gs

What is your Favorite Category of the Dance: Original

Favorite Group: New Edition

Favorite Artist: Donnell Jones, David Hollister, and R. Kelly

Favorite Food: Soul Food, especially macaroni and cheese
Other Hobbies/Interests: I like football, tennis, boxing and basketball. I come out most Tuesdays and sometimes I dance on the weekend. I used to play basketball and sometimes I will teach basketball.

Vote Result

Score: 10.0, Votes: 1