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Inside a practice hall in Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs, dance instructor Lee-ché Janecke led a team of young cheer performers through choreographed moves. After hours of practice of from body rolls to voguing with pompoms, the enthusiastic group gathered round Janecke to record a social media video of one of the trending local dance challenges. They finished in only two attempts.

Rising Worldwide Impact

Lee-ché has remained at the vanguard of the expanding worldwide popularity of South African movement and sound over the recent years. Collaborating with singer Tyla since she was a teenager, he choreographed the trending routine that went with breakout track “Water,” which catapulted the young SA performer to global stardom.

“When I speak about my life I feel moved to realize how far it’s reached, and that this achievement is a brand new chapter,” he shared.

Early Years

His childhood was spent in a community in Cape Town and later a Johannesburg area, both traditionally classified as “Coloured” communities. Inspired by his grandfather playing Madonna and Michael Jackson, he danced at gatherings. He initially intended to study accounting after school, but succumbed to the pull of movement, in which he has learned informally.

Artistic Journey

Over a decade ago, he delved into gender expression in dance and embraced himself as LGBTQ+. He was instrumental in launching V.I.N.T.A.G.E, South Africa’s first all-male dance team focused on vogue and whack, movement genres that originated in NYC’s underground dance community in the ’80s and ’90s.

The group, which expanded to include female dancers and a costume designer, joined numerous televised dance competitions. But, it placed as runner-up in almost all one it entered, something Janecke blamed on local audiences not yet being ready for openly LGBTQ+ dancers.

Years ago, the group was assaulted at a minibus taxi rank as they travelled back from appearing at a pride event. A crowd surrounded their transport, yelling and moving the taxi from side to side, until the driver finally urged them to break up. “It felt like:‘Okay, we’re done for you,’” shared Janecke.

Key Achievements

By 2015, the crew parted ways, as Janecke began receiving offers alone, choreographing the competition a popular show for an extended period. He was contracted by the singer’s initial team to train her. “I [felt]: ‘She has something about this girl.’ I can see it in the expression,” he said.

In the present day, the cheerleading practice was just not long after the MTV Video Music Awards. The artist took home Best Afrobeats for Push2Start. The music video was staged under his direction, who was also recognized for best choreography.

It represented the highest point of several two years of partnering with Tyla internationally on events like The Voice finale to the BET Awards and Coachella. Janecke also choreographed overseas events for a popular DJ and led amapiano classes at a dance studio, the school of the a renowned company in the city, and at Playground in LA.

Next Ambitions

“For me, the completion of that phase is the industry acknowledgment,” Janecke said. He was filming when he discovered he had been nominated: “I at once became emotional. It overwhelmed me, I feel I continue to feel moved, because … I woke up, early morning, to view the ceremony as it happened. I felt convinced that this is where my path leads.”

He gestured as he shared, getting up to demonstrate routines. “I have to take the proper measures to continue sharing and building my name out there, independent of the artists attached to it.”

He outlined his ambitions – finding a US agent, partnering with names such as pop stars to Beyoncé and Madonna, and making inroads in the Korean pop industry, advertising and theater. He cited a peer Robbie Blue as achieving the level he knows he is able to achieving.

Staying True

Even so, Janecke was assertive he would keep working with Tyla: “She is like family for life … She’s very passionate about making songs and really changing the landscape in the industry.”

Even as Janecke voiced frustration that South Africa lacked the intentional and seamless professional conditions of the America, he stated he remained South African to his core. “The dream I hold created a movement performed by the entire globe … thus, to my mind, what I pursue is an African dream.”