It’s a Sunday evening, around 7 p.m., and I am sitting on the steps of Union Square people watching to avoid the main purpose I have arrived for. To my left is a growing crew of rowdy dancers dropping moves in between their loud chatting. I am completely intimidated and almost leave without completing my plan: approach the krumpers, talk to the krumpers, learn how to krump.
Freshman year of college was the time I transitioned from a breakdancing fan to an actual breakdancer. I joined the breakdance club at school where I received my b-girl name: “Rebel” or to some, “Rebel G”. Since my official naming ceremony, I have worn this title with pride. Lucky for me, the Old Navy children’s department just released a line of graphic tees with ‘Rebel’ written on them, which I obviously now own. I am clearly the target demographic.
Rebel G is my alter ego of sorts -- the way that I prove my credibility as a true member of the community. Believe it or not, a lot of people are in disbelief about this part of my identity. You will never see me hesitate when pronouncing this name, making any hater think twice about doubting me and my talent.
Since Freshman year, my commitment to practicing breakdancing has pretty much entirely died out, but was replaced this summer with a new thirst: krumping. For those of you who think that krumping is interchangeable with twerking, you have been misinformed. Krumping is arguably the most violent street style on the block with all movements surrounding either punching, stomping, or chest popping. It gets real, real quick. For this, I am also the target demographic.
‘Learn how to krump’ was number 2 on my summer to do list, just after ‘read lots of books’. June approached and I was ready. You might not realize this, but the New York krumping community is pretty small. Finding classes, let alone a single krumper, proved difficult. I was on a mission to find a contact or a mentor as soon as possible. So I did what any b-school student would – I networked like a boss ass b*tch. Through a girl I met at a dance battle, who apparently ‘chills with all krumpers’ according to my first krumping mentor, Gabriel (who later never responded to the videos I sent of me practicing... I am still salty about this, I really put myself out there for those), I discovered a group of krumpers who practiced every Sunday in Union Square Park. So the first Sunday I could, I put on my street wear and headed over.
For one full hour I sat 5 feet away from this rowdy group to my left, 100% attempting to avoid eye contact, but occasionally peeking to observe. I did not anticipate feeling this intimidated and was waiting for them to start dancing before I could gather enough confidence to approach. It did not help that the clear leader of the group (who’s name I later learned to be Wxlfman) had bottom teeth fangs. Yes, you read that correctly. Eventually, I took the plunge. I scooted over and introduced myself by telling them I wanted to get into krumping this summer, to which they gladly motioned for me to sit with their posse and watch as they practiced. There, I met their friend Scooby, who, instead of practicing, sat and played on his handheld Gameboy. We immediately bonded. Scooby continuously tried to pressure my participation in the cypher, but I was too embarrassed. Each time I laughed it off and continued to be mesmerized by the actual krumpers before me. I stayed for 2 hours and left with the Facebook information of some true krumping badasses. I felt equipped and inspired to take on my challenge.
I wish I could say that I made it somewhat beyond this point. I went to a few more Sundays in Union Square and sat with this new squad, but I personally did not join in on the cypher. It was far too intimidating and I was not disciplined about practicing. It was a summer goal to participate once, but I got too nervous. Regardless, I am still proud of myself for meeting such interesting people and I think that this is definitely something that I will revisit the next time in New York. So watch out, you never know when Rebel G is going to come through and catch you by surprise. Pce!
