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Inside a practice hall in east Johannesburg, movement director Lee-ché led a squad of cheerleading students through choreographed moves. Following an extensive session of including fluid movements to ballroom-inspired cheer moves, the enthusiastic group gathered round Janecke to create a social media video of one of the latest South African amapiano viral moves. It was completed in only two attempts.

Expanding Worldwide Presence

Lee-ché has remained at the leading edge of the expanding international appeal of South African dance and music over the last several years. Partnering with performer Tyla since she was seventeen, he was responsible for the trending routine that was part of breakout track “Water,” which catapulted the emerging South African artist to global stardom.

“Reflecting about my life I feel moved to know this is where it’s reached, and that this moment feels like a fresh beginning,” Janecke expressed.

Initial Beginnings

He was raised in a Cape Town neighborhood and later Eldorado Park, both historically classified as “mixed-race” communities. Inspired by his grandpa playing Madonna and Michael Jackson, he danced at gatherings. At first planned to study business after school, but could not ignore the pull of performance, in which he has never been formally trained.

Artistic Path

Over a decade ago, Janecke was exploring identity in dance and accepted himself as LGBTQ+. He was instrumental in launching a dance crew, SA’s first male dance crew focused on ballroom-inspired styles, dance forms that were born in New York’s ball culture in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The crew, which expanded to include women and a fashion stylist, joined numerous televised contests. But, it finished second in nearly every event, something Janecke linked to South Africa not yet being prepared for openly LGBTQ+ dancers.

Years ago, the group was targeted at a taxi stand as they travelled back from appearing at a pride event. A mob encircled their taxi, screaming and shaking the van from one side to the other, until the operator finally urged them to leave. “It gave:‘Yeah girl, we’re done for you,’” recalled Janecke.

Breakthrough Moments

By 2015, the crew parted ways, as Janecke started getting booked alone, working on the talent show a popular show for multiple seasons. He was contracted by the artist’s early representatives to coach her. “I [felt]: ‘She has something about this girl.’ I can see it in her eyes,” he recalled.

In the present day, the rehearsal was just shortly after the VMAs. The singer received an award for Push2Start. The music video was choreographed under his direction, who was also shortlisted for outstanding movement.

It marked the pinnacle of several two years of collaborating with Tyla worldwide on projects including a singing competition to the an entertainment ceremony and a music festival. Janecke also designed US and UK shows for an artist and led amapiano classes at Ailey Extension, the space of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the city, and at Playground in LA.

Upcoming Goals

“Personally, the close of that period is the awards recognition,” Janecke said. He was on set when he discovered he had been shortlisted: “I immediately started crying. It overwhelmed me, I feel I continue to feel moved, because … I woke up, early morning, to watch the VMAs live. I always knew that here is where my destiny lies.”

He gestured as he shared, standing to show routines. “It is essential to take the proper measures to persist in expressing and building this brand recognized, independent of the figures attached to it.”

He outlined his ambitions – getting a US agent, working with names such as Dua Lipa and Doechii to Beyoncé and Madonna, and entering the K-pop market, commercials and theater. He mentioned a peer an industry name as achieving the standard he knows he is capable of attaining.

Remaining Loyal

Nonetheless, Janecke was clear he would keep working with Tyla: “We have a bond always … She remains dedicated about creating music and genuinely changing the dynamic of the world.”

While Janecke shared concern that the local industry was missing the intentional and efficient working environment of the America, he said he stayed South African to his core. “My vision got a movement done by the entire globe … therefore, to my mind, my aspiration is a vision born on this continent.”