Today we’d like to introduce you to Herb Johnson III.
Hi Herb, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began dancing my freshman year of high school. Through a catholic group in North Minneapolis, I was introduced to musical theater and brought to the Lundstrum Center where I received further training in tap, jazz, ballet, acting & singing. My senior year I left North High School to attend Perpich Center for Performing Arts where I trained in modern dance, jazz and ballet. Outside of these art centers, I was a Krumper. Together with my friends and peers, we would meet every day after school to session or battle. Now I teach and choreograph work and build community within Minnesota Krump.
Krump is a style of dance created in the early 2000s. It is a style where any emotion can be portrayed in a passionate manner. These emotions come from in world experiences or an alter ego.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have dealt with lack of income, homelessness, hunger. All a part of my journey building up to be a full time movement artist. On an entrepreneurial level; building business relationships, leaving an impact, showing up, being punctual, being communicative. I would go to the downtown Mpls library to read books on dance and business because my talents were all I had. College was not an option for me financially I couldn’t afford it and family didn’t give any assistance. So the library became my mini college for a while.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Minnesota Krump ?
We are not a business or organization but we act as one. We are a community of diverse individuals that share a love for Krump and arts in general. We are all multi-disciplinary artists that value community. We come together twice a week to dance and talk. We travel nationally together to attend events or train within Krump. We have an annual event that we host here in Minnesota called “Uprizing”. We are proud of this event because we focus on more than dance. We focus on human connection and spreading elevating energy. We take the time to uplift those in the space. It’s a beautiful experience from what we are told and we take pride in that. We really spend time having dialogue in community to gain more understanding of each other and resolve conflicts. We do weekly check ins my brother (not by blood but love) Cecil Neal’s class held at Hot House. We focus on what it means to be a community. How do we protect one another, respect one another, have fun and learn/ build together.
Within our community, we have teachers and choreographers that work year-round.
How do you think about happiness?
This is an interesting question because currently, I am building work with a friend Lieutenant Sunnie for Merges in March at the Cowles Center. Our work is centered in joy and we both found it hard to talk about because of our upbringing.
A thriving community makes me happy.
Seeing my friends win.
Food
My son, my family, his Mom Jaime, my love.
Big outings like river tubing, or football at the park.
Creating new work.
These things make me happy because it’s the opposite of how I experienced growing up. Even though I’m still growing I enjoy what I have grown to thus far. Seeing people I love succeed makes me happy because I know what they have struggled with. We all go through adversity. Nothing better than seeing a bright smile on someone’s face. Genuine happiness/ joy keeps us moving forward. Together.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jusherb@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @herbisdaword
- Facebook: Jus Herb
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC43XdXD-u8uB5Tbw9RV1MMw
Image Credits
Juiceedope
