One for the Decade: KKPSI’s Road to Victory

The lights fade to a deep violet haze. A pulse begins—slow, steady, magnetic. Ten silhouettes emerge through the glow, each step measured, confident, and electric. The rhythm slides across the stage like smoke, and every move draws the crowd deeper into its spell. Presence, Pressure, and Passion all vigorously take over the stage as Kappa Kappa Psi performs  Rihanna’s “Bad,” featuring Wale. 

“Music is like a safe place… It’s a place you can really discover your purpose, and KKPSI was the platform to find out my individual, as a man, as a mind and self,” said Uri Butler, a Spring 2024 Initiate of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity and a graduate student pursuing a master’s in urban education.

“KKPSI is a platform, a Brotherhood, an opportunity you’ll never lose for sure.”- Adam Alexandre, a spring 24 initiate of KKPSI and a Senior HPER Major.

Under the wash of the violet and blue lights, every motion, every beat was a reflection of that journey. From Silence to Sound, ten heartbeats pulsed to one rhythm, the rhythm that carried their home team to victory. 

On Friday, October 10, 2025, the Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity claimed first place at the annual Langston University National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Homecoming Stepshow, marking a triumphant win after more than a decade of participation.

Although Kappa Kappa Psi was founded at Oklahoma State University in 1919 as a non-member of the Divine Nine, its deep roots in band, culture, and service have made it a natural part of Langston’s Greek Life. Chartered on Langston’s campus in 1957, the Delta Alpha Chapter has stood as a long bridge between music, leadership, and tradition. Band Greeks like Kappa Kappa Psi hold a special place within the campus community, often participating alongside Divine Nine organizations within NPHC events. Their involvement not only reflects respect and unity among other Greek organizations but also the shared mission of uplifting Black excellence and cultural pride. 

The homecoming stepshow, rich in rhythm and legacy, becomes more than just a competition; it is a celebration of creativity, heritage, and the enduring bond between music, culture, and tradition that defines Langston University’s spirit. 

Nine organizations competed, five of which were fraternities, each with unique themes. Opening up the show was the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. with their first-48 themed performance. Centered around a historic crime investigation show, the act featured three main performers dressed in blue button-ups, overalls, and shades portraying detectives to create a cinematic flair on the stage. With their crisp beats, precise footwork, and balance of humor and suspense, Phi Beta Sigma delivered a performance that was both entertaining and true to their Brotherhood signature style. 

Following them, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. brought intensity and drama to the stage with a performance inspired by the horror film “Saw”. The nupes transformed the atmosphere with dark and sinister elements to craft a chilling yet captivating narrative. They included several intricate cane step routines, along with showcasing their trademark shoulder shimmies. As the reigning champions from the previous years, Kappa Alpha Psi carried themselves with undeniable charisma and showmanship. 

“I think we were the theme. We actually took our time doing it … .yeah, we actually thought a lot about what we wanted to do,” said Brandon Clark and Derek Isaac, both spring 25 initiates of Kappa Kappa Psi, as they reflected on their winning homecoming stepshow performance. 

Their routine, titled “PSIENCE 151,” turned the stage into a lively classroom, blending educational structure with the power of performance. The Delta Alpha brothers taught the crowd a lesson on precision, originality, and style. 

“Their brainstorming sparked my creativity, especially in the additional props for the actual show, and created a whole image for the character that they originally created…, so the show is really original. They came up with the little items… lunch boxes, costumes, and the character they gave me…putting their natural ideas to work.” Butler said.

With the atmosphere still buzzing from KKPSI’s class lesson, the crowd prepared themselves for the next performance, the mighty brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., entered onto the stage. Emerging from the curtains was an unyielding, yet controlled intensity just enough for their “GodFather” themed show. A powerful and ground-shaking movement. Their performance energy carried the crowd’s excitement and enthusiasm for the next performance of the male category.

The men of Alpha Phi Alpha were the final performers in the male category, taking the stage with their “Sinners” movie-inspired routine. The tone shifted sharply; their performance carried a theatrical weight, allowing tension, symbolism, and a narrative into every movement. Just as in the original film, each beat uncovered a deeper story, a story of consequences and the price of redemption. Alpha Phi Alpha closed out the male category. 

In a night defined by creativity, intensity, and the rich tradition of Black Greek performances, every fraternity brought its own world to the stage. Yet, when the final lights dimmed and the echoes of chants and steps faded, it was Kappa Kappa Psi’s unmistakable blend of discipline, artistry, and vision that rose above the rest to claim victory. From the deep violet haze of their opening pulse to their classroom precision. Their win was more than a first-place title; it was a moment of reclaiming legacy, proving that after more than a decade, the rhythm of KKPSI still had the power to lead, uplift, and conquer the stage. 

“Coming together as a brotherhood, doing what we all love to do already, it made everything fall into place… we’re all creators… all musicians…all performers,” said Alexandre.

“I think I’m still celebrating. It was nice to see people really recognize us… It was nice for us to be in the spotlight for a time… we’re still in it… Basking in that feeling.” Clark said.

A Follow up question was asked about future plans for the fraternity and future stepshows

 In response, Alexandre said, “We’re gonna keep doing service, we’re gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing… nothing changes…hopefully we get to participate on the next step show too. It was really fun competing with everybody.”