Beyond the Shuffle: Cupid Shares Insights on Career Longevity and Team Building
In a recent interview at the Black Media Matters Studios, recording artist Cupid, known as the "King of Line Dance," shared insights into his career, the enduring success of "Cupid Shuffle," and his excitement for UmojaFest 2025 in Seattle.
Cupid's musical journey began in church, where he honed his singing skills. His passion for music continued into college, where he formed a group with four talented singers from Russell, Louisiana. They signed with Cage Bird Studios, marking the official start of his career. Growing up in Louisiana, a state rich in music and dance, heavily influenced his style. "We dance to everything," Cupid noted, highlighting the prevalence of uptempo music and second-line dancing at various gatherings, including funerals. This environment fostered his unique blend of singing and dance-infused party anthems.
The conversation naturally turned to "Cupid Shuffle," the ubiquitous line dance that has maintained its popularity since its release in August 2006. Cupid expressed his awe at the song's global impact, calling it "the biggest line dance song ever" due to its ability to bring unity. He recounted instances where the song fostered common ground during protests and created lasting memories for families. Despite attempting other musical genres, Cupid feels "God kind of wanted me to be in that lane because that's what worked."
Surprisingly, the creation of "Cupid Shuffle" was a humble affair. Produced by Mr. Fat, the song was born in a studio without air conditioning. "We had no idea," Cupid admitted, explaining that they were simply making "fun music" for their local audience. The song's immediate success was evident when Cupid took it from the studio to a club that same night; by the end of the evening, the entire floor was doing the dance.
The discussion also delved into how "Cupid Shuffle" fueled the rest of his career. Cupid acknowledged that in 2007-2008, line dance music was a novelty, often rejected by radio stations. However, he and his team remained persistent, recognizing the "huge line dance demographic of people that's kind of underground." This dedication led to other popular line dances like "Love Slide," "Do It With Your Boots On," "Wham Dance," "Qstep," "Cookout," and "Flex." The advent of TikTok proved to be a "cheat code" for line dance artists, providing a platform dedicated to dancing and allowing Cupid's extensive catalog to resurface and thrive.
Addressing the pressure to replicate "Cupid Shuffle's" success, Cupid emphasized the importance of his core team. Unlike his experience with Atlantic Records, where he faced external pressure to create another big hit, his current team encourages him to "just do what we do" and add to his catalog rather than constantly trying to outdo past achievements. He cited Frankie Beverly as an example, noting that while "Before I Let Go" is iconic, other hits like "Golden Time of Day" and "Happy Feelings" also contribute to his legacy. Cupid views "Cupid Shuffle" as the "foundation" upon which he continues to build his musical "house."
When asked about building his team, Cupid proudly stated, "They day ones." He values consistency and shared energy, noting that those who don't align with their collective mindset "fall off." Their enduring collaboration, dating back to 1999 or 2001, involves constant idea-bouncing and mutual support. The "versus" trend also inspired Cupid to expand his catalog, realizing that while "Cupid Shuffle" was widely known, he wanted to showcase his other works.
Trae Holiday praised Cupid for paving the way for the line dance movement, transforming it from an underground phenomenon to a mainstream staple. Holiday highlighted the rich history of UmojaFest, which builds upon Seattle's Mardi Gras festival, and thanked Cupid for contributing to this legacy.
