Vladimir ''7Starr'' Laurore
2027 McKnight International Choreographer
Vladimir “7Starr” Laurore is a pioneering multidisciplinary artist, dancer, choreographer, emcee, and cultural ambassador born in Montreal, Quebec (of Haitian descent). Renowned as one of Canada's foremost figures in krump—a powerful, expressive street dance style originating in Los Angeles—he has dedicated nearly two decades to building and democratizing the krump community in Quebec and beyond, while seamlessly blending it with his roots in hip-hop, music, and stage performance.
His artistic journey began in hip-hop. At age 11, during summer visits to the United States, 7Starr discovered hip-hop culture and started writing raps, performing at school talent shows as an amateur. Previously known as Snaxx, he made his first professional studio recording at 14 with acclaimed artist and video director PeeZee. His lyrical talent and stage presence led to a spot on the PeeZee - Star Status Tour under the YFB/Universal Canada label at just 18. Alongside rapping, he honed his skills as an emcee and explored street dance forms.
A transformative moment came in 2005 when he watched the documentary RIZE, igniting a deep passion for krump. That same year, he connected with Canada's first krumper, Otis “Pez” Hopson, and in 2006, they co-founded Bzerk Squad, the country's inaugural krump crew. Committed to growing krump in Canada, 7Starr organized the nation's first krump event, Gutta Zone, in 2008. In 2014, alongside Valérie “Taminator” Chartier, he established the Montreal Krump Alliance (MKA), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing krump through workshops, sessions, events and stage performance creations. By 2018, this evolved into Gutta Zone Fest, a multi-day international krump festival that draws dancers worldwide and remains a cornerstone of the scene.
Today, 7Starr is celebrated as a Canadian krump pioneer and ambassador. Since 2005, he has taught, lectured, choreographed, and mentored at over 160 schools, community centers, and events across Canada. He has competed, judged, performed and served as a guest instructor at elite global krump gatherings, including International Illest Battle (Paris), European Buck Session (Germany), The Krumpire (Russia), Buckyard (Czech Republic), Momentum showcase, (Minnesota) Royal Rumble (Switzerland), Dance Immersion (Toronto), Osaka Expo (Japan), His versatility extends to collaborations with major companies like Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, and Moment Factory, along with TV appearances and guest teaching/lecturing roles at institutions such as Concordia University and UQAM.
His accolades reflect his impact: the 2017 Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award from the Canada Council for the Arts for outstanding achievement; the 2018 Gloria Mitchell-Aleong Award from Black Theatre Workshop for emerging excellence in performing arts; a 2020 nomination for International Male Krumper of the Year by the FCD Krump Awards; and the Prix coup de Coeur at Gala Dunamis. His groundbreaking one-hour solo performance ”Anima/Darkroom, co-choreographed with contemporary dancer/choreographer Lucy M. May, premiered at prestigious venues including Fluid Fest (Calgary), Théâtre La Chapelle (Montreal), and Festival TransAmérique. This project earned him the Prix découverte from Les prix de la danse de Montréal. He has also been given a two-year residency at Usine C performing arts theater for the 2025-2026 season where he presented his work SKLTR choregraphed alongside Charles “Broken” Brecard and a revamped version of his solo performance Retraced, now performed by Jason ‘’Freee" Luce.
Beyond performance, 7Starr advocates for krump's accessibility and recognition through institutional roles, serving on boards such as the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) and Prix de la danse de Montréal, while contributing to the development of arts and culture in the City of Laval. Through relentless teaching, organizing, and innovation, he has helped build a vibrant, authentic krump ecosystem in Canada, inspiring generations while evolving the art form across dance, music, and culture.