The League of Step

In the middle of the Covid-19 lockdown, when most of the world slowed down and schools moved online, a group of students and a passionate coach created something to help combat the helplessness that the pandemic brought them: The League of Step (L.O.S). Prior to the pandemic, L.O.S. coach and local rapper Torrance Wlicher, also known as Squallé, was already coaching at Hilsman Middle School. When school moved online, his students reached out saying how bored and stuck they felt, as connections were sparse and students craved community. Hearing this feedback from his students, the seed of L.O.S. began to grow. 

“My motto is using step to step forward. I’m using the art form of step to give these kids expressive outlets outside of regular sports. Everybody doesn’t play basketball or football or run track,” Wilcher said.

L.O.S. now consists of two teams, Krusaders—the co-ed middle and high school all-star team –and Homicyde—the all male middle and high school team. Opening the floor for students to go out and find their own beat, L.O.S. became more than just an extracurricular; it became a community of growth for its steppers.

“I always say, If I could inspire the kids that I coach to go out and find their path, inspire other people and become impactful wherever they go, then to me, that’s definitely a victory,” Wilcher said.

Within L.O.S., two performers are Cedar Shoals natives, junior Jeremy Mango and Homicyde team captain Kenny Davis Jr. Both Mango and Davis joined during the initial phase of the pandemic and have adapted these goals from their coach. 

“I used to be a troublemaker. When I was young, I didn’t have anything going for myself. So I tried (step), and I fell in love with it, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Mango said. 

When L.O.S. first began, Mango and Davis were a part of the first 10 boys that made up Homicyde. That’s when the two met, and when they were on stage together, Mango says the audience recognized the natural rhythm the duo had.

“People are always saying ‘Y’all look so good together, your chemistry is unmatched.’ So I thought why not make it a business,” Mango said.

They created their Instagram account under the name @2validsteps in June of 2024. The duo is still in the learning stages of running a duet stepping business, marketing themselves and building their booking website. But even as they iron out the kinks on logistics, their intention with their brand is clear.

“We do want to travel with the step business and perform in different states. We’re trying to make it big, I haven’t seen anybody do it (step duo) yet, especially in Athens,” Mango said.

When it comes to planning their choreography, the duo play different roles in curating their routines. Davis plays the role of including traditional dance methods into their moves, making sure that everything matches the beats.  

“Coming up as a dancer, I hear beat by beat and half beats. I try to incorporate hip hop to whatever I come up with, and whenever I get to a stopping point or don’t know where to go next, I pass it to him. And he’ll add his touch, his flavor,” Davis said.

Combined with Davis’ dancing background, Mango plays the role of making their routine visually appealing to the audience, basing their routine on the feel of the crowd. 

“We kind of just bounce off each other, he gives me a beat and I’ll create off that beat, then he’ll add his touch to it,” Mango said.

The audience aren’t the only people who recognize the talent and rhythm that Davis and Mango have with each other as well as separately. Individually Mango and Davis have both won 3-4 awards, being recognized for their skills in step, with Davis earning a scholarship for his talent. 

“I’ve been awarded a scholarship for elevating step from what judges are used to seeing,” Davis said. 

L.O.S., has won even more as a group. Since 2020 they’ve collected many awards over the years, recognizing L.O.S. and the talented steppers that make up their group.

“We’ve won multiple accolades, trophies and plaques for different stroll championships and step shows,” Davis said. 

From middle school to now, step has been a big part of Mango’s and Davis’ lives, becoming something that they want to continue when their time with L.O.S. is up. Not only continuing to expand their business but also planning to become step coaches to spread this art form to those who want to learn. 

“I feel like step is a very underrated scene, and us being in Athens and just going around, I feel like we’ve definitely created a name for ourselves. We’ve gotten to a point where we know our skill set,” Mango said.

What started as a way to cope with the pandemic has produced a supportive and talented community. It has created a space that empowers students and helps them find and use their powerful stomps to uplift others. Step gives them confidence within themselves and each other, allowing them to create lifelong friendships with those that stand beside them on the stage. 

“The brotherhood you’ve got with Homicyde, it’s not just whenever you get in the room, we’re brothers for now, we’re not brothers for next week just because a show is coming, it means you’re brothers for life, this is an entity in its own it’s not just one person it’s a unit,” Davis said.