Inside a dance studio in east Johannesburg, dance instructor Janecke coached a team of student cheerleaders through their steps. Following an extensive session of from undulating motions to vogue dance with pom-poms, the enthusiastic group surrounded Janecke to create a TikTok of one of the trending local dance trends. They were done in only two attempts.
Rising Global Presence
Janecke has been at the forefront of the growing global popularity of South African music and dance over the recent years. Partnering with singer Tyla since she was a teenager, he created the viral dance that accompanied hit song “Water,” which catapulted the now 23-year-old South African performer to worldwide fame.
“Talking about my path I feel moved to know how far it’s arrived at, and that this moment seems like a brand new chapter,” he said.
Formative Years
He was raised in a community in Cape Town and later a Johannesburg area, both formerly known as “designated” areas. Inspired by his grandpa playing Madonna and Michael Jackson, he performed at family events. At first aimed to study accounting after school, but could not ignore the call of performance, in which he has never been formally trained.
Professional Evolution
Over a decade ago, Janecke was exploring gender expression in dance and accepted himself as gay. He helped establish a dance crew, South Africa’s first all-male dance team focused on vogueing and whacking, styles that emerged in the ball culture in the past decades.
The crew, which evolved to include female dancers and a costume designer, joined numerous televised dance competitions. Yet, it finished second in nearly every event, something Janecke linked to local audiences not yet being ready for queer performers.
In 2013, the group was targeted at a public transport stop as they returned from dancing at a pride event. A group converged on their transport, yelling and moving the vehicle from back and forth, until the conductor finally convinced them to leave. “It was:‘Okay, it’s over for you,’” recalled Janecke.
Key Moments
In time, the group dissolved, as Janecke started getting booked alone, choreographing the competition Idols South Africa for an extended period. He was hired by the artist’s first manager to coach her. “I thought: ‘There is potential about her.’ I can see it in her eyes,” he said.
In the present day, a practice session was just a few days after the a major awards show. Tyla won a trophy for her song. The video was staged under his direction, who was also nominated for outstanding movement.
This was the highest point of over two years of collaborating with Tyla internationally on projects including a TV finale to the an entertainment ceremony and Coachella. Janecke also choreographed US and UK shows for an artist and taught movement sessions at a dance studio, the school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York, and at an LA-based space.
Upcoming Plans
“For me, the close of that period is the VMA nomination,” Janecke said. He was working when he discovered he had been nominated: “I immediately became emotional. I was so emotional, I feel I still get emotional, because … I stayed awake, 3am, to see the ceremony as it happened. I was certain that this is where my destiny lies.”
Using his hands as he spoke, standing to perform dance moves. “I have to take the right steps to persist in sharing and building my name recognized, separate from the artists linked to it.”
He outlined his dreams – getting a American representative, collaborating with artists like Dua Lipa and Doechii to Beyoncé and Madonna, and making inroads in the Asian entertainment scene, brand campaigns and stage productions. He mentioned fellow choreographer a talented creator as achieving the level he is confident he is able to achieving.
Remaining Loyal
However, Janecke was clear he would keep working with Tyla: “We have a bond always … She’s very passionate about her art and really changing the dynamic globally.”
While Janecke shared concern that South Africa did not have the structured and smooth working environment of the America, he stated he was true to his origins to his core. “My vision achieved a routine done by the international community … therefore, to my mind, what I pursue is a vision born on this continent.”
