Interview with Diallo Sumbry

Diallo Sumbry, founder and manager of Beat Ya Feet Kings, talks about the history of Beat Ya Feet Kings, which originated in the Barry Farms community of southeast Washington, D.C. He explains what it means to beat-ya-feet, the connection of beat-ya-feet dance to go-go music and culture, and how beat-ya-feet has evolved as the dance style has gained more exposure. Sumbry talks about the dance battle he organized between Beat Ya Feet Kings and the Krump Kings, a dance group from Los Angeles, helping to bring Beat Ya Feet Kings from the street to the stage, working with event coordinators to incorporate Beat Ya Feet Kings into specific events, and Beat Ya Feet Kings experience of participating in America's Best Dance Crew and America's Got Talent. Sumbry describes what creativity means to him, how creativity has always been a part of his life, and his creative process working with Beat Ya Feet Kings. He talks about the connection between high levels of poverty and high levels of creativity, the importance of bringing dance to communities to help with overcoming the violence in communities, and how he connects with and draws inspiration from the community in which he lives. Sumbry also talks about the future of Beat Ya Feet Kings, how he would like to see beat-ya-feet grow, personal projects he is working on and plans to work on, and what he wants his legacy to be.

Interview. Dated 20110411.