Pre-2000s:

1990s: Krump originates in the urban neighbourhoods of California as a means of escapism and self-expression.
1992: Thomas "Tommy the Clown" Johnson creates "Clowning," Krump's less aggressive predecessor, in Compton, California.

2000-2005: Origins and Initial Exposure

Early 2000s: Krumping becomes popular in the United States, developed by Ceasare "Tight Eyez" Willis, Marquisa "Miss Prissy" Gardner, Christopher "Lil' C" Toler, and Jo'Artis "Big Mijo" Ratti.
2005: David LaChapelle's documentary Rize is released, significantly propelling Krump's global spread and influencing dancers across Aotearoa. Screenings of Rize occur in New Zealand, including at the Auckland International Film Festival. Circulation of Krump DVDs like Breakin' vs Krumpin' also aids dissemination.

2006-2009: Early Stirrings, Pioneers, and Formalisation

Circa 2006: Krump begins to ripple through New Zealand's dance scene. Early footage titled "BlaCK MaJiK" from the MaJiK111 YouTube channel dates back to this period.
July 2006: The TaroPower YouTube channel is established, later showcasing early Krump sessions from 2007.
2007:MaJiK111 YouTube channel (affiliated with Israel Adesanya) joins YouTube.
Early Krump sessions featuring Manu, Ben, Yash, Olo, and Jack occur at IBCC Krump Sessions (documented on TaroPower YouTube channel).
"Rock The Top 1.0" event includes a Krump category (e.g., Chris vs Dan battle).
"Hope Anniversary" and "Wellington Groove" events feature early Krump presence.
May 2007 (circa): Thomas "Tommy the Clown" Johnson tours Auckland schools for three weeks, with subsequent appearances in Whangarei, Hamilton, Paeroa, and Tauranga, promoting Krump as a positive outlet. His tour is funded by John Tamihere.
2008: Israel Adesanya (Black Majik) expresses opinions on the NZ Krump scene in a video, advocating against criticism and acknowledging top dancers from Brotherhood, Greedies, and Underground Kings.
2008-2009: Joash Fahitua hosts the first Krump competition in New Zealand.
June 2009: NZMaori88 YouTube channel joins, documenting early Wellington Krump.
Undated (circa 2009): "Waitangi Krump Performance in Palmerston North" occurs, documented by NZMaori88.

2010-2014: Decade of Growth, Fams, and Maturation

2010:"Cap City" sessions become a known gathering point in Wellington, attracting dancers like Big Raw, Omen, and Shock Proof.
"Heart of Krump NZ" series of battles intensifies competitive landscape.
2011:Establishment of the "NZ Krump Nationals (SK Session)" provides a national platform.
Early events like "Troublegrounds" feature dancers such as Asylum and Ricochet.
KeepItWildN channel starts archiving Krump sessions and battles, capturing events like "West AKC caging" and Big Alien vs Testament sessions.
Amanaki Prescott-Faletau competes in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships.
July 2012: Krump Aotearoa YouTube channel joins, chronicling a decade of events.
2012:Troubled Grounds 2012: Includes "Last Man Standing" battles (e.g., Kid West Mayhem vs Blackout, Prince Maestro vs Jdashomen Aktive) and Tag Team/Call Out battles.
Cap City Prelims: Features "Lil Homie" and "Big Homie" selections and finals.
AKC Prelims 2012: Includes battles such as Groove vs Masta, Alien vs Testament.
NZ Krump Nationals 2012: Major event with "Lil Homie" and "Big Homie" sections, culminating in finals like Jr Crossbearer vs Light Saber and Alien vs Milz.
Swag Fest 2.0: Showcases Krump vs Break battles.
January 2013: The Pirates Global crew is established.
2013:Treason 2013 (Wellington): Significant multi-day event featuring "Lock In Session," "Cap City Sessions," and main event battles. International dancer Ruin (Tha Legion Killa) participates, expressing admiration for NZ talent.
For The Love Battle: Held to raise money for 2011 Christchurch Earthquake relief, featuring battles like Example Krump Fam (Chris Teava) vs Black Majik (Israel Adesanya) & Big Masta.
Troubled Grounds 2013: Continues to host Tag Team and Last Man Standing battles.
KN13 (Krump Nationals 2013): Features extensive battles, Fam Clash, City Clash, and "Battle of the Champs."
Bonnie & Clyde Battles 2013: Showcases tag team battles.
WSB Strictly Buck 2013: Features numerous battles (e.g., Shutdown vs Trajik final). Judges include Tight Eyez & Lil Tight Eyez.
Suga Pop holds workshops in Auckland and Wellington, focusing on locking and popping.
2014:KN14 (Krump Nationals 2014): Includes AKC Callout, Judges Showcase (Bdash), BNC heats, Fam Clash Tournament, and a 72KO tournament.
The Pirates Global 2014 sessions: Feature dancers like Shutdown and collaborations with Tight Eyez & LT. "Bring Buck Session" showcases Rachel, Kyd Maddawg, Alphaone, and Konstruct.

2015-2019: Maturation and International Recognition

2015:KNXV (Krump Nationals): Continues national competitions with "Fam Clash Battles" and "BNC Battles."
Cap City Treason 2015: Features rookie and female sections.
King of The Pirates 2015: Includes battles, with Paniq vs Smilekilla in finals.
Hold Your Style 2015: Features battles, with Jedi vs Chris C in finals.
Clash Nation 2015: Showcases Lady Maddawg vs Lady Red vs Mama K.
2016:EBS 2016 Male Preselection: Features EXCBS/Aotearoa.
Cap City Treason 2016: Includes exhibitions, rookie/female finals, and a judges showcase.
Fix Your Face 2016: Includes finals (Ladyshutdown vs Girl Paniq) and showcases (Smilekilla, Brocky, Shutdown).
2017:March 2017: "Beatdown NZ Dance Competitions" YouTube channel joins.
July 2017: "BeatDownSix Nation" YouTube channel joins.
BeatDown Feb/Mar 2017: Features sessions and battles (e.g., Kid Drill vs Redhood, Lightsaber vs Boy Omen).
BeatDownSix Nation's 16man KO Tournament: Features numerous battles, culminating in J Bad Rillah vs 12 final. Showcases "NZKC Haka for Wave aka Kid Tight Eyez" and "PALMERSTON NORTH vs WELLINGTON Rep Yo City Finals."
KN17 (Krump Nationals 2017): Comprehensive event with NZ Krump Division, International Division (e.g., Shutdown vs Milz), Fam Clash Semi Finals, BNC Finals, 72KO battles, and an Exhibition Battle.
The Watch:MIN crew is established, focusing on amplifying women in Krump.
2018:July 22, 2018: Ken Vaega (Lightsaber) becomes the first New Zealander to win the Krump World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Ennoalla Paea-Vaega's "Female Krump Crew" wins the "Grounded - Auckland Team Performance Award."
KN18 (Krump Nationals 2018): Features BNC Showcases, Fam Clash 3v3 (Hype Rush vs Watchmin in finals), BCT Females and Males tournaments, 7.2.Kill Off Division, and 8Bucks Division.
2019:Matthew Luani's Master of Design thesis, "Beauty in the Ugly," focuses on Pasifika Krumpers.
Treason (Wellington), The Graveyard (Palmerston North), and The Beatdown (Auckland) are mapped out for filming.
Auckland Krump Prelims for "Land of the Kings" are held, organised by Krump Aotearoa with Zeal.
Krump Club of Ōtara is established as part of the Lighthouse fam.
KN19 (Krump Nationals 2019): Includes Fam Clash Finals (Hype Rush Empire vs Saber Fam), BNC Division, 1v1 Female Tournament (Watchlight vs Girl Matters in finals), 1v1 Male Tournament (12AF vs EXCBS in finals), 7.2.Kill Off, and 8Bucks Krumpire Qualifiers.
Treason 2019: Lightsaber is featured.

2020-Present: Sustained Growth and Community Focus

2020:Krump Aotearoa's YouTube channel reaches over 10 years of operation.
KN20 (Krump Nationals 2020): Features exhibition battles, guest showcase by Krump Club, and a Tag Team Battle.
The BEATDOWN 2020 Kidz Edition: Hosted Krump Prelims and Open Style Prelims.
2021:Projekt Feel Good (annual Hip Hop and Street Dance Experience) is held in South Auckland.
KN21 ONLINE: Adapts to new formats with KY (Kids/Youngins) Division, XP (Experienced) Preselections, and Hitterz Division battles.
2022:Pop, Lock & Break it (July 2022): A 3v3 Street Dance Battle.
Christchurch Hip Hop Summit is held.
Parley '22 (gathering of breaking crews) is held, sponsored by EnBeat Dance Academy.
THE BEATDOWN May 2022: Features finals for Adults, Kidz, and Younginz.
BEATDOWN August 27th 2022: Includes Rookies, Kidz, and Heavy Hitters preselections, and "7 to Smoke" battles.
Labyrinth NZ 2022: Hosts opening session, guest showcase, and prelim/top battles.
BEATDOWN END OF YEAR 2022: Features Kids, Younginz, Rookies, and Heavy Hitters tournaments.
2023:BEATDOWN CHAMPIONSHIP: Major Krump and All Styles event with multiple divisions.
KOB NZ Qualifier (King of Buck): Qualifier event with Mens, Kids, Womens, and Teams divisions.
NZ Krump Panel Discussions feature figures like Aktive, Erupt, and 12AF.
BD Rookies 2023: Showcases various rookie battles.
BD Youth 2023: Includes Younginz and Kidz divisions with finals and judges showcase.
BEATDOWN Heavy Hitters 2023: Features after sessions, top 16, preselections, top 8, semi-finals, and finals.
Labyrinth NZ 2023 Session Night: Includes opening session, battles, and a tournament.
"Lock It In" Locking Event 2023: Focuses on the locking style.
January 2024:"World of Watch:MIN" theatre show is held at Māngere Arts Centre.
Projekt Feel Good festival is held in South Auckland.
Pring It On theatre show premieres by Strictly Brown.
2024 (various dates):Le'o (Ko Au mini-fest) celebrates diverse cultures through street dance.
BEATDOWN Rookies Qualifier 2024: Features Top 18 battles, Judges Showcase, Top 6, and Finals.
Beatdown Youth Qualifiers 2024: Includes Kidz and Younginz divisions with finals and judges showcase.
Lock It In Locking Competition May 2024: Features Cypher, Judges Showcase, Soul Train, and battles.
LABYRINTH Ladies Krump Event | Krumpfest 2024: Significant event amplifying women in Krump, showcasing sessions, tournaments, exhibitions, and a judges showcase.
BEATDOWN HH & NZ OS Qualifier | Krumpfest 2024: Features Heavy Hitters and NZ Open Styles divisions.
Rhythm & Buck | Krumpfest 2024: Another event at Krumpfest 2024, featuring various battles.
KOB NZ Qualifier 2024 (King of Buck): Showcases Mens, Kids, Womens, and Teams finals.
SET IT OFF Vol 1: Hip-hop x House Dance Event.
BEATDOWN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024: Major championship event with judges showcases, ANZAC CUP street battles, Rhythm N Buck finals, and division battles.

Key figures

12AF (Badass Street Beast): A central and influential figure in the New Zealand Krump scene, consistently featured in battles and discussions across different eras.

Aktive (Alexander Teratuia / Boy Fleshkilla): Leader of the Hyperush Empire Krump fam. A prominent figure in battles and panel discussions.

Baby Tighteyez: Los Angeles-based Krump legend who mentored Ken Vaega.

Big Mijo (Jo'Artis Ratti): Co-creator of Krump in the United States, whose observations on New Zealanders' connection to Haka resonated with the local scene.

Byrin Mita: Māori street dancer and founder of the XIII Fam / XIII WRLD collective. He draws explicit connections between Krump and Haka, emphasizing Māori representation in street dance.

Ceasare "Tight Eyez" Willis: Co-creator of Krump in the United States.

Chris Teava (EXCB / Boy Ruin): Founder of the EXCBS Krump Fam, a foundational pillar in the competitive scene. Participated in the "For The Love Battle."

Christopher "Lil' C" Toler: Co-creator of Krump in the United States, whose appearance on So You Think You Can Dance greatly contributed to Krump's global spread.

Elaine Talamaivao: Dancer of Pacific Island heritage who fuses Pacific Island dance styles with Krump, identifying parallels between Krump's energies and traditional Māori Kapa Haka. She performs Krump barefoot to infuse "ancestral pride."

Ennaolla Paea-Vaega (formerly Ennaolla Paea / Girl Street Beast / WatchMin / Phirus): Co-founder of the LH Combine collective (merging her Watchmin World fam with Ken Vaega's Lighthouse fam). She is a prominent choreographer and performer, whose "Female Krump Crew" won an award in 2018. She directs "World of Watch:MIN," an all-wāhine Krump theatre show, and leads the South Auckland-based Lighthouse Famz. She views Krump as an "underground misunderstood community."

Iakopo Uelese: A Wellington Krumper interviewed for "Beauty in the Ugly," who shared how Krump helped him process a difficult upbringing and built his resilience.

Israel Adesanya (Black Majik / MaJiK): A prominent early Krump dancer affiliated with the Broken Naes crew (including King Cookie, Switch, Baby Magic) before becoming a renowned MMA fighter. He participated in the "For The Love Battle" and discussed the NZ Krump scene in a 2008 video.

Joash Fahitua: A Samoan dancer who discovered Krump in Sydney and hosted the first Krump competition in New Zealand, achieving numerous victories with his crew. He is working to fuse Krump with Contemporary dance to tell cultural stories.

John Tamihere: Chief executive of the Waipareira Trust, who funded Tommy the Clown's New Zealand tour in 2007.

Ken Vaega (Lightsaber / Jr Street Beast formerly Jr Example): A pivotal figure and the first New Zealander to win the Krump World Championships (2018). He is the founder of the Lighthouse fam and co-founded the LH Combine collective with his wife, Ennaolla Paea-Vaega. He runs "Saber Sessions" and the Krump Club of Ōtara, teaching Krump and instilling values in children. He was mentored by Baby Tighteyez.

Marquisa "Miss Prissy" Gardner: Co-creator of Krump in the United States.

Matthew Luani: Author of the 2019 Master of Design thesis "Beauty in the Ugly," which focused on the experiences of Pasifika Krumpers in Aotearoa.

Mele Tapueluelu (Princess Brui5er / Lady Aktive): From Projekt Team, she highlighted the importance of accessibility for Pacific people in dance.

Omen (Twin Legion Killa): A consistent figure in Krump battles and sessions from Cap City, Wellington, often highlighted in Cap City events.

Ruin (Tha Legion Killa): International dancer from the United States who participated in Treason 2013, expressing admiration for the New Zealand scene's talent and community support.

Thomas "Tommy the Clown" Johnson: Creator of "Clowning" (Krump's predecessor). He toured New Zealand schools in 2007 to educate youth about the dangers of gangs and drugs, promoting Krump as a positive outlet.

Key "Fams" (Families/Crews):

Broken Knees: Early crew affiliated with Israel Adesanya.

Brotherhood: A top Krump crew mentioned by Israel Adesanya in 2008.

DTS: Krump crew mentioned in KNXV 2015.

EXCBS Krump Fam: Founded by Chris Teava, a foundational pillar in the competitive scene.

Greedies: A top Krump crew mentioned by Israel Adesanya in 2008.

Hyperush Empire: Prominent Krump fam led by Alexander "Aktive" Teratuia.

Krump Aotearoa: A central support network for the New Zealand Krump community, established in July 2012, organizing significant events.

Krump Club of Ōtara: Established as part of the Lighthouse fam, providing a safe space for kids to learn Krump and values.

LH Combine: Collective formed by the merger of Lighthouse and Watchmin World, aiming to create opportunities and help creatives discover their purpose.

Lighthouse Fam (Lighthouse Famz): Established by Ken Vaega, later combined with Watchmin World. A South Auckland dance collective committed to youth development, community support, and connecting NZ dancers globally. Hosts "Beatdown" events.

The Pirates Global: International crew established in January 2013, with a presence in NZ, regularly hosting sessions and workshops.

Rugged Dynasty: Krump crew mentioned in KNXV 2015.

Saber Fam: Krump fam that participated in KN19 Fam Clash finals.

Shepherds: Krump crew mentioned in KNXV 2015.

Street kingdom: Associated with Tight Eyez & Lil Tight Eyez, judging WSB Strictly Buck 2013.

Underground Kings: A top Krump crew mentioned by Israel Adesanya in 2008.

Watchmin World (Watchmin Fam): Founded by Ennoalla Paea-Vaega, specifically focuses on empowering women in Krump.

New Zealand Street Dance

A Detailed Timeline of New Zealand Krump