Krumping, Popping, Locking and Tutting by Tshepo Mokoena

Posted in Interactive | Local Personalities

In this interview with Tshepo Mokoena we learn more about this Westville Boys High School pupil who has become one of the top dancers in South Africa and recently won the Masters of Rhythm 2012 JNR Krump category. Tshepo grew up in Pinetown, attending Sarnia Primary School and has become one of the best dancers Durban has presented to the world.

Tshepo tells us about his love for dancing…

I started dancing at the age of 12 and have never thought of stopping ever since. At first it was something I just did for fun with friends whenever we had time to. As time went by I started getting more into it and surrounded myself with people who loved to dance too, this helped me a lot because it kept me focused; we all had the same vision in what we wanted to do. I was one of the youngest dancers here in Durban at the time so I had a lot of older dancers that I looked up to and danced with.

When I started dancing I started off as a krumper, which at the time was a new upcoming dance style which was first showcased in the movies Stomp the Yard and Rize. I was very inspired by this dance style because it’s free flowing and a lot of emotion and passion is put into it. As years went by I grew more as a dancer and a Krumper and started experimenting with other dance styles like Popping, Locking and Tutting. This is one of my favourite dance styles because it’s very technical; it takes a lot of practice and not everyone can do it.

I dance every day, I don’t train as hard on some days as others, but when I feel I have a lot to get off my mind, I will put on music really loud and just dance ’till my body stops. Official practicing days in the studio are only once a week though – every Saturday. I don’t have specific training times; we just dance ‘till we stop. I’ve never been to dancing classes or have had a trainer, everything is self-taught. Inspiration from other dancers is something I feed off a lot, it always pushes me to work harder and get better.

I first entered Masters of Rhythm in 2010; this was my first time qualifying for the finals. I went to finals very unprepared and I learnt the hard way and was knocked out in the 1st round. I then came back two years later more prepared and with a better attitude. I qualified in the All Styles (3rd place) and JNR Krump (1st place) categories. Winning the JNR Krump category and to be crowned JNR KRUMP KING OF AFRICA by TIGHT EYEZ the creator of Krump was an honour. I never ever thought I’d one day get to meet TIGHT EYEZ and to be recognized by him has been one of the biggest highlights of my dance career so far.

My advice to people out there who love and want to start dancing is that it doesn’t matter what age you are, if you put your head down and practice hard you can become a really great dancer. I don’t see myself as the best or better than others the only difference is that I’ll be at the studio hours before everyone else and I’ll leave hours after everyone is gone. So, my advice is always practice hard!!!

There is really a lot that I still want to achieve in the dance world. There are many talented dancers out there and to be recognized as the best one day would be great. Choreography over the past two years has played a huge role in the dance world; this is something I have to work on to grow as a dancer. Being part of competitions such as Americas Best Dance Crew and World of Dance Tour are also things I’d like to achieve as a dancer.

I have a lot of dancers and crews to look up to and admire like I.aM.mE, KubSkoutz, Mos Wanted Crew, Jabbawockes and Poriotics, but one of my favourite dancers has always been Phillip PacMan Chbeeb from I.aM.mE Crew. I first saw him on So You Think You Can Dance season 3, 4 and was inspired. His style is very different and he is one of the best in the world at what he does. His dancing is very conceptual and technical. Every time I’ve seen him dance he always goes full out, so that’s one of the things that I look up to him for, he always works hard.

I am also a dance teacher/choreographer at Dance2Dance International Studio in Durban, Pinetown. Anyone is welcome to come to classes from beginners to advanced Hip-Hop dancers.