THE TEAM
Queen Crystal
Crystal James, known as “Queen Crystal,” is a trailblazing Footwork artist from Chicago’s South Side. Beginning her journey as a teen in the early 2000s, she quickly rose to prominence as one of the most respected female battlers in the scene, earning recognition from legends like the late DJ Rashad. Her career includes major performances at Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, Navy Pier, and Art on the Mart, along with appearances in films such as I Am The Queen. Beyond the stage, Crystal has spent years teaching Footwork in schools and community programs, inspiring the next generation with her resilience, artistry, and leadership. Today, she continues to embody the legacy of Chicago Footwork as both a global force and mentor, now as the newest member of The Era Footwork Crew.
P-top
Jemal “P-top” Delacruz is a North side Chicago native from Uptown . P-top is one of the faces of Chicago footwork scene he pushes the craft by battling , mentoring and teaching Chicago footwork with the youth in Footwork summer camp and also a battle clique called “Goon squad “ which he is one of the leaders in the group. P-top has done many projects from shooting a movie scene with Al Pacino and performing on the stage with Chance The Rapper. He has also started an event called “The Ring “ which is a dance event that young dancers come to and showcase their skills and use the outlets by battling and making a name for themselves and winning prizes . P-top is an award winning grant artist for “Dance USA “ and “Dcase “ P-top has served more than one community by doing nonprofit work by giving the footwork craft and history to other dance groups and schools in the Chicago land and all over the world. Being a father of five sons his goal is to make sure he builds a foundation and structure for them and any kid from Chicago that wants to push footwork culture in many ways.
Chief Manny
Brandon K. Calhoun A.K.A Chief Manny is an Artist and culture bearer of the form Chicago Footwork. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the multi-faceted dance company The Era Footwork Collective, Brandon’s career encompasses dance, film, music, organizational leadership, and mentorship. Since founding The Era in 2014, Brandon and the collective have played a key role in the positioning of Chicago Footwork culture as a global phenomenon, through performance, music production, and international touring. Brandon contributed poetry, dance choreography, and film to the Era’s recent stage show IN THE WURKZ, which toured nationally. Brandon has received recognition for his artistic work from The Walder Foundation Platform Award and was recognized as a 2021 New Leader of Chicago by The Field and MacArthur Foundations.
Litebulb
Jamal "Litebulb" Oliver is a renowned artist and culture bearer of the dance style known as Chicago Footwork. Hailing from Chicago's South Side, Litebulb co-founded The Era Footwork Crew as a teenager with friends and collaborators Chief Manny, Steelo, and P-Top. He honed his craft under footwork's originators, practicing in his mother's kitchen, and gained early success performing on stage and touring with pioneers of footwork music DJ Spinn and the late DJ Rashad of Teklife. Litebulb's work has been awarded grants by Theaster Gates' Rebuild Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the University of Chicago, the New England Foundation for the Arts, and the Field Foundation of Illinois. He was recognized as a "dancer of the year" in Dance Magazine (2016) and a "cultural organizer of the year" in FADER Magazine (2016). With his unique, expansive vision for Chicago Footwork, Litebulb continues to push the genre's edges while remaining true to its roots, ethos, and traditions.
Steelo
Sterling “Steelo” Lofton is a renowned footwork dancer and fashion designer from the Eastside of Chicago. He is widely recognized as one of the top footworkers in the world and is known for his authentic style of dance and fashion. Steelo has performed extensively across Chicago and has also showcased his skills internationally. He is also the creator of the clothing line, StitchedbySteelo, which has gained popularity as a recognized streetwear brand across the city. In addition to his achievements as a dancer and fashion designer, Steelo has been recognized for his community work. He created the "Footwork Saves Lives" campaign to bring awareness to footwork as a positive outlet for youth in Chicago. Steelo was awarded the Chicago Dancemakers Forum "Lab Artist" award to create a show focusing on how fabric influences Chicago Footwork dance.