Daily Inspiration: Meet Milan Bailey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Milan Bailey.

Hi Milan, 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 professionally at 18 years old, straight out of high school. Dancing and movement direction has always been a craft that I held in high regard since my youth, so I did not hesitate to begin training as much as I can. In 2015, I started to develop an admiration for KRUMP dancing, even though I was familiar with the style since 2008. I went to my first ever KRUMP event, which was also just my first time ever being in a KRUMP environment. Although I began training in this new style, it did not disrupt my intentions on wanting to train in Hip Hop performance. I joined, trained, and performed with Urban Dance League (UDL), founded and directed by Anthony Rue III, also known as AntBoogie. As I grew with both Hip Hop performance and KRUMP dancing eventually becoming my main discipline, I have worked with artists and companies, such as Lil Mama, Nintendo, Zeeba, Lil Eddie, and many other rising brands. I have also battled, taught, and judged events in multiple states and countries. In 2022, I was cast to perform in the Las Vegas spectacle, Awakening Live at Wynn, as a founding cast member. I currently perform as a KRUMP dancer, being the only dancer of this style performing in a Las Vegas residency.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was exactly the right kind of challenging. I mainly struggled with constantly dealing with the pressure put on me to improve, continue to build momentum with working on different projects and gigs, expanding my network, and remain very effective in every environment that I was in. The upmost important thing to being a great artist, in any field, is to always lead with passion and love, as well as enjoy the craft. There were multiple moments throughout building my career where I catch myself thinking about the pressure that others put on me and the unnecessary pressure that I put on myself. Rushing my own progress and shining too much light on what can improve, who to prove wrong, as well as who to impress, I sometimes drifted away from loving and enjoying the art first.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an original cast member and current performer for the live spectacle, Awakening live at Wynn Las Vegas. I specialize in a street dance style called KRUMP. In multiple states and countries, I am known for my skill in freestyle, battling, and teaching. I am proud to say besides becoming a dancer who represents the KRUMP dance and culture on different stages and platforms, I also founded and currently lead New Jersey’s KRUMP community. My ability to find a way to make KRUMP belong in any room is what makes me stand out. There have been many occasions throughout my career where I was the only KRUMP dancer in a room full of artists of completely different cultures and disciplines, and was yet able to create a way to make my style coexist and contribute to any visual I was put in.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best advice I can give is to always be a stubborn student. Always remain a student of your craft, no matter how good you become, how high you climb, you are never too good to keep learning. I highly encourage learn from others who are also great at what they do, whatever it may be, even if they have not been active as long as you. Do not compete with anyone, only worry about being the best version of you. There is no such thing as your prime. Evolution never stops. Be stubborn with your goals and vision. If you know for a fact what want can be acquired, stay on your path and any outside advice given to you is not always coming from a place of support. If there is only a 1% chance, there is still a chance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milan_oseven/