What Is Krumping Dance?
Krumping dance is one of the many flavors of street dancing. What sets it apart from all others is that it is probably one of the most energetic and aggressive styles out there. A dancer has to constantly be on the move and execute a series of tricky, high-speed maneuvers.
Because of its aggressiveness and sharp, powerful movements, krumping has been mistaken by many as a brutal, thuggish dance. This is far from the truth.
In today’s article, we’ll be delving deep into this dance, from its history, all the way to its techniques and styling. You’ll find that it is a far more peaceful and philosophical dance than what the rumors said!
Krumping Dance Definition
The word “krump” actually came from the lyrics of a 1990 song. Later, dancers would turn the word into an acronym for “Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise”. The religious slash spiritual connotation is intentional. Back in the 90s, a lot of young dancers pushed for krumping to become a faith-based artistic dance style.
Krumping Dance History
Krumping evolved from a 90s dance style called “Clowning”, which was a dance style invented by Thomas Johnson (Tommy the Clown). The energetic and fast-paced movement of the dance attracted a lot of young dancers and teenagers. As a result, it became hugely popular among the younger populace of Los Angeles back in the days.
It’s worth noting that in the 90s, Los Angeles was a city that was known for its high crime rates. Young people of color had to live in communities plagued by gang violence, drugs, and crimes days in and days out. Dancing gave them an outlet to express themselves and served as a temporary reprieve away from the daily violence that they had to go through.
Tommy the Clown and his dance crew regularly performed the dance at children’s birthday parties. Usually, they had their faces painted.
In the 2000s, Ceasare Willis (Tight Eyez) and Jo’Artis Ratti (Big Mijo) developed what’s now known as “Krumping” from the template of “Clowning”. Originally, the two dancers were part of Tommy the Clown’s band. However, their dance styles were far too aggressive and anger-filled to suit the clowning style.
Eventually, the two separated from the band and went on their own trajectory. Which led them to create krumping.
Unlike clowning, which is mostly a fun-centric and lighthearted dance, krumping is considerably more mature, aggressive, and sharp. Some even say that each movement of a krump dancer exudes anger and hatred. Unfortunately, it is how krumping has gotten such a bad reputation.
Nevertheless, that didn’t stop krumping from becoming popular among the dancer communities. At first, Tight Eyez and Big Mijo mostly danced on their own. But as more dancers heard of krumping and began to practice, the dance style grew its own hierarchies and major krumping dance battles were organized.
By the late 2000s, many krump dance crews had formed and prospered (called “fams”). These crews are tightly knitted and their loyalty to one another far exceeded the boundary of the dance floor.
Krumping Dance Characteristics
Originally, krump was a freestyle dance. Choreographed performances were very rare. However, these days, krump performances are being increasingly choreographed.
As the key characteristics of krump are aggressiveness and power, dancers must put all of their strength into each move. The philosophy of krumping is that the dancer is trying to push out all of the negative emotions (hatred, sadness, and so on) from their core.
So, dancers must express violence and rage through their own jerky and fast-paced movements.
Krumping Dance Moves
Despite krump being a freestyle dance, there are many popular moves that you’ll often see dancers use in their performances. For example, jumps and swings are very common. You’ll also see a few chest popping and ground stompings, too.
Here are a few popular moves that you can check out. Most of them are fairly basic and easy to do, so if you want, you can try (and maybe practice) right at home!
Arm Swings
Start with your arms straight. Then, one arm brushes upward along the length of your torso and stops at the shoulder. Quickly strike outward as violently as you can.
The key to executing a good arm swing is control. Yes, there should be violence in your movement, but it shouldn’t be done as if it’s swung with blind rage. Think of it like a boxer’s jab: powerful, yet controlled. Avoid flailing your arms.
When you swing your arm, your hand can do anything, like balling into a fist or straighten out into a blade. Creativity is the point here. You can do anything as long as it fits the spirit of the music!
Chest Pops
The chest pop is simple but extremely effective. Push your chest outward, then retract it again. Imagine someone grabbing the front of your shirt and pulling your chest outward.
Usually, dancers will perform chest pops to the rhythm of the music. They will also blend other moves into the pops, too, like a stomp.
Chest Locks
Chest locks are very similar to chest pops. However, the movement is “isolated” to the chest only. Meaning when you pop your chest outward, it should be the only part of your body to move.
Chest locking can be a bit tricky to learn, especially if this is your first time dancing. But once you’ve mastered it, you will be able to master many more techniques, like the Cobra King.
Wobbles
The name speaks everything about this move. Your entire body would “wobble” and gyrate to the rhythm of the music.
Shoulder Rolls
Shoulder movements are a very important part of any krump routine. One of the most basic skills that you can learn is the shoulder roll.
Jabs
Jabs, like its name suggests, took its root in boxing. Strike out with your hands quickly and fiercely, then retract. Do a series of rapid strikes like you’re fighting someone!
But, just like the arm swings, you need to maintain control of your movement the entire time.
Jumps
Jumps aren’t exactly a singular move. It’s a broad term that refers to all of the movements where your feet are lifted off of the ground. While you’re in the air, it boils down to your creativity and improvisational skill to make your jumps as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Stomps
Stomps are moves where your feet hit the ground at high speed. Your stomps should be powerful, reflecting the philosophy of krumping. For beginning krumpers, there are three types of stomps that you need to master.
- Lift stomp
Raise one of your legs up in the air, then slam it back down to the ground. It’s a simple move. The only thing that you need to pay attention to is ensuring your knee is at a 90° angle.
- Kick stomp
Straighten your leg, kick it outward, then retract it and slam your foot against the ground.
- Slide stomp
Slide your foot against the ground (can be forward or sideward). Then, when you retract your foot, end the movement with a stomp.
Krumping Dance Costumes
To dress for a krumping battle, you need to consider both the aesthetic and the functional aspects. Generally, most krumpers go for loose, baggy clothing. The frenetic and often extreme moves that they perform don’t allow for skintight or restrictive clothes.
In terms of footwear, popular choices among krumpers are Timberland boots and high-top sneakers. They look great, and most importantly, they’re comfortable to dance in.
But the most important part of krumping “fashion” isn’t really the clothes or the shoes. Instead, it’s the face paint.
Many krumpers paint their faces in tribal patterns as a way to reconnect with their African roots. Meanwhile, many others use face paints as a way to assume someone else’s identity.
Painting their faces allows them to escape their day-to-day life as well as their identity by becoming someone else, from a different time, and a different place. It’s a poetic, artistic form of escapism that some people termed as “secret fantasies”.
Remember, despite krumping being a street dance, its philosophy and presentation are spiritual.
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