Last night in my Hip-Hop in Ministry class we watched a film called "Rize" about youth krumping in rough L.A. neighbourhoods. Here's a youtube clip that gives you an idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1srAZ3vGZw
Wikipedia description: "This form of dancing has Christian roots. According to a major krump proponent, Tight Eyez, the word Krump stands for Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise, and this acronymic formation can be seen on his videos. It began as a way to release anger, aggression and frustration in a positive, non-violent way and is now used to also praise God. Violent gangster activity was very common in South Central Los Angeles; Krumping was developed in resistance to such street violence."
Apparently it also has links with a phenomenon in Baptist and Pentecostal traditions ("the shout"?) where someone is so 'filled' with the Spirit that their body starts shaking, convulsing, throwing itself around.
Tried krumping myself when I got back from class at 9:00pm but it wasn't really happening! Wasn't as bad as the time I fell and bruised myself trying to break dance in my room, though! Think I need to learn the basic moves first and then it can become spontaneous!
Anyway, normally hip-hop makes me think of the Psalms. This morning thinking about the release of anger, aggression and frustration in krumping made me think of this scene in Billy Elliot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOGBTFFxOpY
