Dancers from Rize If you've ever wondered what would happen if you combined clowns with hip-hop, check out krumping. This urban dance movement started in 1992 when Tommy the Clown, a reformed ex-con from the tough neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles, created clown dancing, which evolved into krumping. The innovative, freestyle dance is distinguished by jolting movements, high intensity, and spastic speed. It uniquely fuses elements of breakdancing athleticism and stripper dancing with African tribal traditions. Original performers claim the dance expresses the anger fueled by social injustice, an artistic response to destructive events such as the L.A. riots. Most everyone agrees krumping is a means to steer youth away from the widespread gang violence in the community, a creative alternative for the inner-city subculture. Suggested Sites... Dance Magazine: Getting Krumped - article explaining the dance style and artistic influences of krumping. Krump Kings - krump dancing community delivering raw street talent without the ruff gangsta' image. Rize - documentary film directed by David LaChapelle about the emergence of the street dance called krumping.

Directory categories: Krumping, Tommy the Clown, Rize

Archived under: Arts, Dance, Entertainment, Performing Arts

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