Welcome to the foundation. Before you can tell your story through Krump, before you can battle with intensity and soul, you must master the language. Krump isn't just a dance; it's a conversation—a physical dialogue of aggression, release, and spiritual catharsis. It's born from the streets, a powerful response to oppression, and its vocabulary is built on raw, explosive movements.
Too many dancers rush to the complex combinations they see in battles, skipping the crucial bedrock of basics. This is a mistake. The most respected Krumpers in the world have an immaculate command of their fundamentals. They understand that power, control, and authenticity come from here. Let's break down the non-negotiable, essential Krump moves that will become the alphabet of your expression.
The Chest Pop: Your Heartbeat in Krump
This is your anchor. The Chest Pop is the percussive heartbeat of Krump, a sharp, controlled contraction and release of your chest muscles. It's not a shimmy or a roll; it's a hit. Think of it as visually mimicking the beat of a bass drum.
How to Drill It: Stand with your knees slightly bent, core engaged. Isolate your chest. Without using your shoulders or arms, quickly contract your pectoral muscles to pop your chest forward, then immediately release it back to neutral. The movement should be sharp and staccato.
Focus on: Isolation (don't let the movement travel to your shoulders or hips), sharpness over size, and timing. Practice hitting every beat, then every half-beat, of a track.
The Arm Swing: Channeling Raw Power
If the Chest Pop is the heartbeat, the Arm Swing is the unleashed fury. This is a powerful, controlled swing of the arm, often used to generate momentum and express raw emotion. It can be a wide, sweeping motion or a tight, sharp guide for other movements.
How to Drill It: Start with one arm. Swing it from your side, across your body, or in a large circular motion, but always with intention and control. The key is to stop the swing abruptly, engaging your core and back muscles to halt the momentum. A floppy, uncontrolled arm is not Krump.
Focus on: Power, control of momentum, and clean lines. Your arms can be loose but never lazy. Every swing must have a purpose and a defined end point.
The Stomp: Grounding Your Energy
This move connects you to the earth and announces your presence. The Stomp is a heavy, emphatic step that drives energy downward. It's primal, aggressive, and used to accent the music or emphasize a emotional point in your "story."
How to Drill It: Lift your leg with purpose and drive your foot into the floor, engaging your entire leg and core. The sound is a byproduct of the power, not the goal. Avoid just slapping your foot on the ground; truly commit your weight into the movement.
Focus on: Weight transfer, power, and stability. Don't let a stomp throw off your balance. Your upper body should remain controlled and ready to transition into the next move.
The Krump Walk: Your Battlefield Stride
This is how you own space. The Krump Walk is an aggressive, confident, and often low-to-the-ground walk that exudes swagger and readiness. It's not a casual stroll; it's a prowl. It's used to circle an opponent in a battle, to transition, or simply to embody the aggressive spirit of Krump.
How to Drill It: Stay in a slight athletic squat. As you step, put a deliberate, heavy emphasis on each step, almost as if you're doing a minor stomp with each one. Your upper body can be relaxed or incorporated with chest pops and arm swings. The attitude is key.
Focus on: Maintaining a consistent low center of gravity, intention in every step, and fluidity. Practice changing directions quickly and incorporating upper body hits.
The journey to mastering Krump is a marathon, not a sprint. These four moves—Chest Pop, Arm Swing, Stomp, and Krump Walk—are your foundation. Drill them with intention, with power, and with consistency. Practice them in front of a mirror, record yourself, and be your own harshest critic.
Remember, Krump is about feeling. Don't just go through the motions. Connect each Chest Pop to a feeling of impact. Let each Arm Swing release a wave of emotion. Ground your frustrations with every Stomp. Walk with the confidence of someone who has a story to tell.
Master these basics, and you will have built a temple upon which you can construct your own unique, powerful, and unstoppable style. Now go practice.
