What is Krump?

On Saturday, I saw my first ever Krump battle.  I've been dancing for twenty years and teaching for ten.  I've trained in hip hop, jazz, ballet, contemporary, etc.  My whole life dance has been competitive.  It was always about who was the greatest, whose leg could go higher, who could do more turns.  It was about who was the best, not who tried the hardest or who wanted it the most.  It was about putting others down to get to the top.  A lot of my past dance life was filled with teachers who told you that you weren't good enough or to try and dance more like the best dancer in the room.  It was filled with lots of tears and frustration.  Dance was always something I loved to do but as it got more competitive the environment became less supportive and more grueling.  

It wasn't until I started teaching adults I realized how much I loved working with those that always wanted to dance, those that wanted a chance to express themselves and feel like a star.  Nothing gives me more joy then seeing a passionate yet unsure adult come to class wanting to dance and succeeding beyond their wildest dreams.  Dance to me isn't about who's the best, it's about learning how to express yourself anyway you feel in an environment where you know you'll be supported.  

Which is where this brings me to my impression of Krump.  Some people see it as an angry aggressive street dance or a strange way of moving.  When I watched that Krump battle on Saturday I saw people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities get up in front of a large group of people and express themselves.  Each person though maybe a little scared, got up there with confidence and threw their arms, stomped their feet, isolated their body and poured every bit of heart and soul into their movement.  Although there were people watching, what was most amazing of all was the circle that began to form around each individual that performed.  It didn't matter if they knew the person nor if the dancer was extremely experienced, because everyone of those people and I'm saying 20-30 people came around that individual and cheered them on.  They screamed and yelled, clapped, even patted their back saying, "good job" after they were done.  Then when the next person came out they did the same thing.  

It was hard to tell there was a battle going on with so much love in the room.  After going to this event, I think everyone should know that Krump to me is one of the most open and passionate forms of expression I've ever seen.  Not one person was judged or put down.  Every expression and every emotion was taken in and accepted by those people that surrounded the dancer.  Anyone and everyone can dance, it's not just about your technique.  It's about how vulnerable you can make yourself to your audience.  How well can you show every ounce of love or pain or anger or happiness?  That's what dance is about and that's what makes it so beautiful.  I hope the essence of Krump will spread to all communities of dance and help bring an openness and acceptance to this art form, because it is truly special. 

If you're looking for an environment like this come take class at eMotion (www.emotiondancefit.com).  Krump classes are held on Sundays from 2-3pm.