John aka Engine started his Krump journey in his home country at the Dominican Republic in 2008-09 after he saw the movie Stomp the Yard. He was drawn to the crew battle where Chris Brown’s dance crew faced off against Tight Eyez's. In that point in time, however, Engine didn’t know who Tight Eyez was, but knew he liked his movements and raw energy. After learning about Krump through the movie, Engine did his own research to learn about Krumps' culture and he found the Krump Kings’ forum. Through the forum, he found other Krumpers to learn from. Eventually, he left DR and made his way to the US to live in Connecticut. It was in Connecticut that he connected with Sleek, the person who taught him most of what he now about Krump.
AKA’s
Engine’s character is a 300,000 years old time-traveling ninja living who lives in the present moment. He does not like confrontation, but if the situation presents itself, he will face it head-on. Ultimately, he’s a peaceful individual that likes to focus on positive things of the world and avoid the negative. Engine's like to dance gully, beefy and cocky. Although these traits sound counter-intuitive to his wanting of peace, he doesn’t act on them in a belligerent way. For instants, his cockiness is more about his confidence level which comes from the many years he invested into learning the dance and culture. His beefy side is triggered when others doubt his capabilities or try to talk down to him; in other words, its the idea that he’s nothing to play with regardless of his humble nature.
Baby Ave's character is a different story. He imagined that character to be a gorilla with grills or a street gorilla. This gorilla like to use jewelry hence the “grills” part. But for John it isn’t simply about that but that this gorilla has human characteristics and interests. Essentially he is a conscious, cultural gorilla who would definitely eat Dominican rice, beans and chicken while having an intelligent conversation.
Favorite Basics
Engine shared that these three are the basics because they contribute most to his Krump language. For example, if one round is compared to an essay paragraph, he uses the basics as words, commas, period, question marks, etc. His Krump clear and sharp which makes his movements easy for others to understand. Click here to see a workshop on Krump Body language to understand the concept ---> (Language)
JABS
ARM PLACEMENT
FOOTWORK
Favorite Krumpers
Spartan, Ugly Fate, Konkrete, Brui5er, Truck
The common trait among these individuals is their vision, dedication and leadership within the movement, although these individuals are also great dancers.
Lab and Practice Break Down
Engine has a practice routine and a labing routine that he considers very different.
Lab:
Has a specific reason area to work on; for example, lab on hat tricks.
To develop new material and movement as well as discovering new ways to Krump
He includes a meditative component. He would think of moves before the lab and then try them out when he gets into it.
Practice:
He will generally practice by doing a self-session, or freestyle session to understand his default movements.
To rehearse or develop his Krump material
Lil Homie Standards
A person who is willing to work for his Lil homie position and his craft
A person who also wants to learn the Krump culture
A person who seeks constant growth, even if that means eventually leaving the Engine fam to continue that growth.
Advice to the Krump World
You never know who is watching so represent the movement and yourself well.
Avoid Krump politics and drama.
Keep beef “professional” -- as in if you have an issue with a person, solve the issue as adults.
Humble yourself and accept knowledge from others-- we can always learn from others regardless of skill level.
Don’t choose when to be friends with someone as in don’t be cool with someone outside of Krump and then state you guys are not cool in Krump.
Take care of your livelihood-- don’t allow the dance to distract you from personal responsibilities.
Stay up to date with the latest Krump movements and information or risk being left behind.
Create relationships in the community because there are a lot of creative and intelligent people in Krump.
Footage of Engine
Engines Other Projects: Contact John via Facebook for hats, music, and clothing
