RIZE rules

In 1992, Tommy Johnson (Tommy the Clown) created a dance he called "Clowning" as his response to the Rodney King riots. As the dance has evolved, it has been renamed "Krumping." It is a phenomenom in South Central, Los Angles, and is about to spread across the nation.
What sets this dance form apart from others is that it is essentially artistic, something you might see performed in theatres. It is an urban take on traditional African dances. It is also an answer to gangs and street hustling.

The kids form dance troupes, paint their faces as if they were African warriors, then meet to compete or to work on their movements and style. As the performers become more involved with Krumping, it usually becomes a positive force in their lives and becomes a part of their personal identity, a method of expressing their frustration with racism, modern urban life, and their youth.

Who You'll See Tommy the Clown, Lil Tommy, Larry, Lil C, Dragon, Tight Eyez, Baby Tight Eyez, Miss Prissy, Swoop, El Nino, Daisy, Big X, La Nina, Quinesha.

Rize is an unscripted documentary directed by David LaChapelle. The executive producers are Ishbel Whitaker, Barry Peele, Ellen Jacobson-Clarke, Starvos Merjos, and Rebecca Skinner. Rize's producers are David LaChapelle, Marc Hawker, Ellen Jacobson-Clarke, Richmond Talauega, and Tone Talauega.