Krump style of hip-hop dances

Krumping appeared in Los Angeles, CA during the 1990's. Unlike other hip-hop dances krumping is entirely freestyle (improvisational); it is rarely, if ever, choreographed and is danced frequently in battles or sessions. 

Krumping includes four primary moves: wobbles, arm swings, chest pops, and stomps Clowning is the less aggressive predecessor to krumping and was created in 1992 by Thomas "Tommy the Clown" Johnson in Compton, CA. In the 90's Tommy and his dancers, the Hip Hop Clowns, would paint their faces and perform clowning for children at birthday parties or for the general public at other functions as a form of entertainment. In contrast, krumping focuses on highly energetic battles and movements which Tommy describes as intense, fast-paced, and sharp. "If movement were words, krumping would be a poetry slam. Krumping was not directly created by Tommy the Clown; however, it did grow out of clown dancing. 

Tommy eventually opened a clown dancing academy and started the Battle Zone competition where krump crews could come together and battle each other in front of an audience of their peers. Choreographer Lil C, and the leaders of the Krump Kings crew Ceasare (pronounced CHEZ-a-ray) "Tight Eyez" Willis and Jo'Artis "Big Mijo" Ratti are credited with developing krumping. Krumping has appeared in several music videos including Madonna's "Hung Up", Missy Elliott's "I'm Really Hot", Black Eyed Peas' "Hey Mama", and Chemical Brothers "Galvanize". It also appeared in the movie "Bring It On: All or Nothing".

David LaChapelle's Rize is a documentary about the clowning and krumping subculture in Los Angeles. He says of the movement:

"What Nirvana was to rock-and-roll in early '90s is what these kids are to hip-hop. It's the alternative to the bling-bling, tie-in-with-a-designer corporate hip-hop thing." LaChapelle was first introduced to krumping when he was directing Christina Aguilera's music video "Dirrty". After deciding to make a documentary about the dance, he started by making a short film titled Krumped. He screened this short at the 2004 Aspen Shortsfest and used the positive reaction from the film to gain more funding for a longer version. This longer version became Rize which was screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.