WINDSOR WEST– Locking, popping, crumping and breaking while using all parts of the body may be daunting for many, but not to Mullin Krienke.
At only 25, Krienke has already notched up an impressive list of achievements, from performing on world stages to choreographing for multi-platinum artists like Kanye West.
“In my wildest dreams I never thought this was possible,” says Krienke unable to hide his delight.
Krienke auditioned to be Kanye West’s back-up dancer last year and it turned out to be the best opportunity of all time.
“When I walked in, I told them I have a fixed dance for them, I sounded arrogant but I knew what I wanted,” he recounts.
When the phone finally rang, after hours of what seemed to be torture at the time, waiting for the unknown, Krienke was given a role he did not audition for.
“They called and said they wanted me as a choreographer. I couldn’t sleep for the whole week because I had to come up with something dope because it was for Kanye West, who is a big deal,” he says.
Born in Zimbabwe, Krienke began his career dancing in a church dance crew.
“The dancing evolved and we became professional. It started as a hobby and we loved the attention the girls at high school gave us,” he said.
Upon completing his high school qualification, Krienke embarked on a piloting journey.
“I loved it but I always missed dancing so, I made sure that I go back,” he recounts.
In 2008, Krienke fell in love with South Africa when his visit turned into permanent residency.
“When I first got here, no one knew who I was, I was nothing. Someone saw me dancing at a party and I got my first job with a modelling casting agency.”
From showing off a few moves on the dance floor, Krienke began to change his fate.
He auditioned for a dancing role with Dance Web Studios but was given a choreographing role instead.
“I enjoy this job because I get to fly around and do what I enjoy the most,” he says.
Krienke has created a platform for African dancers to showcase their work.
“Dancers in Africa are not looked at as professional yet, there is an industry that supports them, so I created Twitter and Facebook pages where dancers can know what is happening in the industry in all parts of the world.
I want to share people’s work to the extent that dancers can make a living through dance,” he says.
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