NZ’s first Trail Ride Line Dancing event to hit South Auckland

Social media dancing duo Taylor “Gangstaa Boom” and Jadee “Poppop” are bringing Aotearoa New Zealand’s first-ever Trail Ride Line Dancing Event to South Auckland this November.

The couple joined Nemai Tagicakibau on 531pi Pacific Days to extend an invitation to join the movement.

“It’s going to be an event like no other because there has been no other,” Taylor tells Tagicakibau. “We’re reaching out to Manurewa, the South Side, and all of Aotearoa to come and join us.”

Trail ride line dancing is deeply tied to the African American cowboy community gatherings and horsemanship in the southern United States. Incorporating stylised stomping, rock stepping, and distinctive footwork, it rhythmically differs from typical box line dancing.

What started as a viral dance challenge has now become a global craze, with communities everywhere - Aotearoa included - grooving to Cowgirl Trailride by S Dott featuring Tonio Armani.

“We've seen communities here in Aotearoa, within marae doing it. Children and other groups, everybody’s out there doing it,” Jadee says.

Watch Gangstaa Boom and Jadee Poppop's full interview below.

After months of learning and sharing trail ride dances online, Taylor and Jadee decided to take it offline and create a space where people could connect in person.

Set to take place Saturday 1 November at the Manurewa Netball Courts, the day will feature workshops led by international guests from North Carolina, the 919 Hustlers, along with appearances by familiar local faces including William Waiirua, Matua Bill, and a host of content creators.

For Jadee, hosting the event on her old stomping grounds is a full-circle moment.

“We do like to take a lot of the goodness all over Aotearoa, but especially to our communities that we feel need to be highlighted. I was born and raised in Manurewa, so there's a lot of groove happening there.

“We really wanted to put it into an area where we can really cater to all the different ethnicities, which is very, very important to us. You don’t need dance experience, it’s for everyone.

“Even if you don’t get it straight away, you’re going to get it at some point.”

Taylor adds that the event is all about unity. “It’s not just about one particular culture, it’s about all cultures. We don’t see anyone as brown or white or anything. It’s about one people coming together to have a great day.”

‘Good morning, gangsters’

The duo have been dancing together for more than six years and have built a loyal following through their street performances and infectious energy online. Their videos often begin with their infamous taglines, “Good morning, gangsters” or “Kia ora, darlings”.

“Our love for dancing has evolved. When you love dancing, it’s not just specific to one style, you’re open to all styles because it’s enlightening and it’s freedom,” Jadee says.

Jadee notes that while getting local men to join can sometimes be tricky, in the United States, men embrace trail ride line dancing with confidence and enthusiasm.

For Taylor, who is a proud transgender man, he hopes to encourage men and boys of Aotearoa to get involved.

“We’re reaching out to the men to come along and give this a go. It’s about self-expression and not being shy… it’s so much fun.”

Taylor and Jadee say they’ve tried their best to make the event free, but with costs to cover, tickets are necessary. They are offering discounted rates for community groups and encourage anyone who cannot afford tickets to email them so arrangements can be made.

The pair have a simple message for anyone who has never tried trail ride line dancing before - just start.

“As long as you can feel the music within your heart, you can move. You don’t have to be a professional dancer - if I can do it, you can do it.”

NZ Trail Ride Line Dancing Event will be at 95 Browns Road, from 11am to 5pm on 1 November. Tickets available here.