Gabrielle McLeod (“Queen Gabby”) is the Queen of Detroit’s own footwork based dance style known as “Jit”. She has worked as a performer for the Detroit Pistons “D-Town” squad, performing with various recording artists during her time there. Gabby has appeared in the music video for Dej Loaf featuring Big Sean, “Back Up”. She’s currently a member of Jit Happens, traveling and showcasing Detroit’s flavor on various platforms. Gabby has been a part of the Slippage project, which is being shown as moving art in the Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which featured Jit as part of their dance exhibit. Gabby teaches Jit within Eastern Michigan University’s dance program, and is recording a film to be used as a learning tool for students. In June 2017, she was brought to Paris France to showcase and teach Jit by Meech De France and Ghost Flow Movement. Gabby was also featured as a judge for the Headbangerz Brawl for World of Dance Chicago. Gabby works as a dance instructor, hoping to keep Detroit’s culture enriched in the students and give them a positive place to engage in their art. She has now relocated to Los Angeles, CA, educating others about her hometown dance style. While on the west coast she has taught Detroit Jit classes at: the Kinjaz Dojo, EPIK Dance Studio in Arizona, Arizona State University, and Movement Lifestyle dance studio. Queen Gabby’s goal is to make Detroit Jit a style known to many homes and atmospheres, and spread the heart of the city and culture with it.

This video is part of a series of midwestern dance tutorials commissioned by Daring Dances. To view this whole series, and learn more about this video, visit their website here