JaQuel Knight is one of the most sought-after choreographers in showbiz at the moment. His project archive included collaborations with the most popular stars, which never failed to amaze the audience, whether it was a pre-recorded performance or a live stage. He simply has a unique vision and knows exactly how to run the show.
Table of Contents
JaQuel Knight’s Biography
- Birthname: JaQuel Knight
- Birthday: August 6th, 1989
- Nationality: America
- Parents: Names unknown
- Siblings: N/A
- Spouse: N/A
- Height: N/A
- Net worth: ~$2 million
Early Life
JaQuel Knight was born and raised in Atlanta. From an early age, he had shown a deep interest in dancing and often tried to dance along to the music videos on MTV.
However, it was not until Knight reached 14 years old did he go to his first dance class. This dance class opened up a whole new world before the young man’s eyes and solidified his decision to make dancing his career.
During their high school years, Knight joined the band with several years of experience with saxophone and choreographed their moves as his first attempt as a choreographer.
Eventually, he left the band and established a dance team named TruStuylz.
The Way To Become A Professional Dancer & Choreographer
Early Career
The TruStuylz has successfully scored gigs at basketball games for celebrities and local shows. Knight personally earned a performance slot on the BET Hip-Hop Awards stage.
When given an opportunity to teach classes at Dance 411, he accepted it without a second thought and went on a ten-day trip to Los Angeles. This early experience completely changed his life.
After lessons with Chuck Maldonado, Knight felt ready for auditions and landed his first official contract with Michelle Williams’ promo tour. His other attempts weren’t hits, yet he embraced them all as part of his independence and preparation.
Global Recognition
When Knight was only 18 years old, he got the unimaginable chance to choreograph for Beyonce in Single Ladies. Anyone who pays attention to the music industry must have heard of her and this global hit at some point!
It was the first step for Knight to head to the top!
Convinced by his flair and passion, Beyonce continued to recruit him to choreograph for an entire album and two world tours (I Am… Yours and The Mrs. Carter Show).
He was also the creative behind Beyonce’s Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show and Coachella performances.
Another superstar who played a big part in Knight’s achievements was Britney Spears with the famous Circus tour. He contributed to many other big performances by renowned figures such as Shakira, J.Lo, Chris Brown, Nicole Scherzinger, and Kelly Rowland to name a few.
Knight also choreographed many appearances in grand award ceremonies such as the MTV Video Music Awards, The World Music Awards, The AMA’s, and the Logo Awards.
Even when Knight has achieved a stable foothold, the adventurer in him certainly wouldn’t allow him to stop and be satisfied. He tried to bring his prowess to TV shows and made big hits with The X Factor, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Ellen, Saturday Night Live!, and more.
Just when people think they have seen everything from JaQuel Knight, he amazes the world once more with his choreography credit in Burlesque, a musical movie featuring Xtina and Cher.
Do The Barbie (Barbie’s 50th Anniversary) and PEPSI MAX commercial with Snoop Dogg are other interesting projects by him.
Check more: Fatima Robinson: Biography, Family, Net Worth & More
Beyond Choreography: Directing, Publishing, and Philanthropy
At just twenty-four, Knight’s achievements garnered widespread media attention, leading to interviews on The Wendy Williams Show, NPR, and Inside Edition.
He was also featured on the covers of prestigious dance magazines such as Dance Spirit, Movmnt, and Dance Universe, receiving well-deserved acclaim. Never one to rest on his laurels, JaQuel Knight expanded his creative empire.
In 2013, he founded J.K. Creatives, Inc. in Los Angeles, a production company dedicated to managing and developing new artists in songwriting and choreography, as well as producing music videos and short films.
The company even houses its own media department, where Knight develops content for TV, film, and digital platforms.
A truly pioneering move in 2020 saw Knight launch Knight Choreography and Music Publishing Inc. This groundbreaking initiative was born from Knight’s deep commitment to ensuring choreographers receive proper compensation and intellectual property rights for their work.
Historically, choreographers often relinquished legal rights through work-for-hire agreements. Knight’s company aims to copyright commercial choreography – not just his own, but also that of other talented creators, particularly artists of color – and license these dances for various uses, including tours, commercials, films, and even video games or NFTs.
This endeavor is a significant step towards legitimizing dance as a valuable intellectual property in the entertainment industry and creating generational wealth for dance artists.
Outside of his extensive activities in the entertainment industry, JaQuel is deeply invested in philanthropy.
He established The JaQuel Knight Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting young artists, particularly those from marginalized communities.
During the pandemic, the foundation partnered with relief organizations to provide grants and meals to dancers, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of the dance community.
Future Plans
The future ahead is very bright for JaQuel Knight. Quoted by Frank Gatson, Knight isn’t only a talented artist but also a good guy whose honesty and energy affect people around him positively.
Despite being seen as a potential dancer and a phenomenal choreographer, JaQuel shared that he feels the urge to be an instructor as well.
Most recently, Knight has made his highly anticipated Broadway choreographic debut with the revival of “The Wiz,” an all-Black retelling of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
This project represents a “biggest moment” in his already stunning career, allowing him to infuse the production with his unique vision that celebrates the past, present, and future of Black dance.
With his tireless spirit of trial and error, we can always anticipate exciting surprises and groundbreaking contributions from JaQuel Knight as he continues to shape the world of dance and entertainment.
Awards
Knight’s first big bang was the Best Choreography win in Video Music Awards 2009 with Single Ladies. The video also won Video of the Year by MTV and BET in the same year.
His effort was also recognized with the NAACP Image Awards and several nominations for prestigious awards like Emmy.
Final Words
From a 19-year-old choreographing for the sassy dance moves of Beyonce in Single Ladies to the phenomenal choreographer behind the most extravagant tours, JaQuel Knight has come a long way and he won’t stop anytime soon.
Standing at a high rank in his field, Knight doesn’t forget to lend a helping hand to potential artists who have yet to find a chance. This is one of the best things about him if we exclude his talents!