Krump is more than a dance. Just ask Norris L. Duckett III, the founder of Krump Society. Krump Society was formed on January 1, 2017, in Lancaster, California, and was created to help develop a community for young individuals. With a group of leaders in place to guide and mentor these young artists, the society creates a space of stability, growth, and outreach. Krump Society is a place where bridging the generations of new and experienced krumpers helps create new ideas.
Keep reading to learn more about Krump Society in our interview with its founder, Norris.
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Jouviane: Going through the Krump Society website and social media accounts, it seems like Krump Society is very robust and that your organization does many things. In your own words, what is Krump Society and what does your organization do?
Norris: At Krump Society, we focus on the youth to help them be successful. Our work is also to build up the community as we create social activities and more which allow us to create a community and do different things like helping the youth do outreach, train, learn how to dance, participate in fun activities, and embrace creativity.
Jouviane: That sounds like a great mission. With that in mind, if you could describe Krump Society in three words, what would they be?
Norris: Successful young artists.
Jouviane: And behind the successful young artists of Krump Society, there is one person at the head of the organization — you. Could you share some of your journey with us and how it led to you starting Krump Society?
Norris: Krump Society started based on an idea that I had while I was in school for my Master of Fine Arts degree. The idea started in 2017. It wasn’t what it is now, but it developed and it’s still developing. But I thought, it seems like something we need. We need some sort of support system, and I was harping on it for a long time. There was nothing in place for us in this sense where we had a support system. And that’s what Krump Society is. It is a safe haven for people to come and grow.
The idea became realistic, and it grew over time. We started out getting fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas, and then the organization became an actual thing. We’re really a 501(c)3. And it’s still going. Even though it’s new and even though it started as an idea, the idea is real. Now it’s to the point that it’s not even “the sky is the limit,” it’s where are we going to take it? I mentioned it before, but Krump Society is still developing and at the same time, it’s still helping everybody that’s involved.
Jouviane: What would you say has been your favorite part about starting Krump Society?
Norris: I think it might actually be the work. The work drives me. Of course there are difficulties and challenges with certain things, but we’re enabling ourselves and believing in ourselves to do it. It’s pushing it and I go, that’s all krump is sometimes. We have an event coming up soon. I’m going to tell everybody that to ask “what is krump?” is to ask the same question like what is art?
Jouviane: You quickly just touched on it, but throughout this entire journey, what would you say has been the biggest challenge? Not necessarily with Krump Society but along the way as you got to this point? And how did you overcome it?
Norris: The biggest challenge was me. It was me holding myself back. There are so many stories that have to be told. There are so many credits that have to be met. And I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes with anything. And how do you do that without centralizing everything on yourself? And I found it. And I told myself to do what I’ve been doing this whole time. I’ve never made it about myself, and I’ve always worked to support and help everybody around me.
Jouviane: With your successes and challenges, at the end of the day and in the way you envision it, what is the ultimate goal for Krump Society?
Norris: Great question. I’m still not even all the way there with that one. I would assume it’s to the point of really helping out the communities. Krump is a community. It’s a culture. It’s a whole entity itself. And charity starts at home first. How are we going to be able to help other people and we aren’t even helping ourselves. And that’s what is going on and it’s moving quick.
Jouviane: Earlier, you mentioned events that you have coming up. What’s in the immediate future for Krump Society?
Norris: Well, the event we have to kick off summer 2022 is the Kid’s Summer Krump. So there’s a thing some people already know of — a kid’s summer camp — and it’s based on and founded on somewhat of an idea of that. It’s more so of everybody constantly thinking but not asking aloud what is krump?
So all of us that used to be teenagers, because we grew up in this, it’s time for us to be mentors and teachers who do our job and leadership duties. That’s what this is based on. I try to focus on the idea that we’re not just showing people the technique although we will at the camp. I focus on the mind. You have to develop your mind in krump. It’s not just about the movement looking cool. We’re developing you into you and how you want to be as a person. It’s already there. It’s just your belief might not be there. Everything about you might not be fully developed yet.
And a side effect of krump is building confidence. And this really happens to kids. The confidence level that is enacted is totally different. If you sit up there and have to do an interview with one of the kids before and after they learn a certain amount of information about krump, suddenly you go, now, that’s a different person.
Jouviane: Now, if you could tell our readers one thing about Krump Society and its impact, what would it be?
Norris: Krump Society — the way it works and what it's been doing — is a no brainer. If you’re an investor, it’s a wise investment. Those of you that are looking for its services, it’s a no brainer because there’s proof of it. And it doesn’t take long before you start seeing the effects of what’s really going on. Yes, we are multifaceted. There are a lot of different things going on, but it’s literally built to succession for the people involved. We’re filling in the gaps for the knowledge that isn’t necessarily being taught in the classrooms.
For a lot of us, we’ll mention that when we went to school, we didn’t learn about this, this, and this. And it’s starting to change a little bit now. At the same time, we’re building up kid’s success. And a lot of it in the beginning is just pure 100% learning about business. That’s the thing that Krump Society is built on. Whether you want to be an entrepreneur or you want to go to school, we’re going to help you. And the reason being is because I come from both backgrounds.
Jouviane: Krump Society is doing a lot for children as a nonprofit. How can people support you?
Norris: People can support Krump Society through things like donations, of course. And we help everybody in house as well. The way that it is being developed — which I was touching on — you’re either going to decide that you want to be an entrepreneur or you’re going to work for a big organization, something like that. The way that we grow it, if you’re going to be an entrepreneur or you’re working a typical job, you should support those that are trying to build something and create something. I don’t care if someone makes lemonade. Y’all over here that have jobs, you should support this. Why? These kids are just starting out and they’re going to help you back. And it’s just the whole ecosystem, basically. That’s how it works.
Jouviane: And I see that Krump Society has an online store with merchandise available. Do you have a favorite?
Norris: The favorite right now is actually something that’s not even in the store official yet. My favorite is 6IX VIL. The reason being, though, is like I’ve said before, your charity starts at home. There’s a group called 6IX VIL and they’ve been making some noise, and it’s about to get hectic, to say the least. They formed a group and they’re basically the first line. They’re the first line of what you can see. Not only do they dance, but soon you’ll see they have their own stuff, business and all.
Right now, we’re focusing on 6IX VIL to develop them. Everybody that’s involved right now is 10 years old and under. And y’all will see. We’re working on a short film documentary about them just to showcase who they are. That’ll be coming 661 which is their namesake. Their heritage in krump is they’re the predecessors of what everybody in krump calls 661. And so the film will premiere this year on June 6th at 1PM PST.
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