#BlackStarPower - Cupid, the king of line dance, sat down with Trae Holiday in the Black Media Matters Studios to discuss his excitement for UmojaFest in Seattle. He also shared the story behind his hit song, "Cupid Shuffle," and how he began his music career.

Cupid began singing in church and learned from many talented vocalists. In college, he met four amazing singers from Opelousas, Louisiana, and they signed with Cage Bird Studios, a local label. Being surrounded by talented musicians and a culture that loves dance helped shape his musical style.

He never expected the massive success of "Cupid Shuffle." He and his producer, Mr. Fat, created the song in a hot studio, simply making music they loved. Cupid took the song from the studio to the club that very night, and by August 2006, it "took off like a rocket." He views "Cupid Shuffle" as beautiful because it fosters unity and creates lasting memories.

Cupid explained how he built his career beyond "Cupid Shuffle," which he considers the foundation of his musical career. Initially, line dance music wasn't embraced by radio stations, but he and his team persisted, releasing songs like "Love Slide," "Do It With Your Boots On," and "Wham Dance." The emergence of TikTok became a "cheat code," boosting his older catalog and solidifying the line dance movement.

He emphasized the importance of his core team, who have been with him since 2001 (or even the 1990s). Unlike labels that pressured him for constant hits, his team encouraged him to continue making the music they loved and build upon his existing catalog. Cupid aims to build a strong "house" with "Cupid Shuffle" as the foundation and his other songs as "solid walls," much like Frankie Beverly's career with multiple beloved hits. The "Verzuz" battles also inspired him to release more songs and "stack the deck" with his catalog.

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