Jonzi D

British born hip-hop MC, B-boy and spokenword poet, performing with lyrics in English. Born in Bow (East London) of Grenadian descent, Jonzi D has been actively involved in British Hip Hop culture, emceeing and b-boying in clubs and on the street since the early eighties. Since graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi has been committed to the development of Hip Hop theatre, creating Lyrikal Fearta in 1995, and Aeroplane Man in 1999. He was an Associate Artist at The Place Theatre and has performed and created dance theatre pieces all over Europe, North America, Israel, New Zealand, Cuba and Southern Africa.

In the UK, Jonzi D's new company Jonzi D Productions is an Associate Company of Sadler's Wells and based at the theatre. He is also the curator and host of the acclaimed Breakin' Convention, International Hip Hop Dance Theatre festival, nominated for a South Bank Show Award. He has directed pieces for Robert Hylton, Benji Reid, Jane Sekonya, Loop Dance Co, the Apples and Snakes 'Broken Words' tour, and ACE Dance and Music. He was commissioned by Walker Arts in Minneapolis to create a solo for Leah Nelson. Jonzi has devised, choreographed and featured in various Hip Hop inspired fashion shows including, 40 degrees at Earls Court, and State Property for Rocawear at The Royal Festival Hall.

He is currently a board member of both Youth Dance England and Revelation Arts and Media. As an MC/poet, Jonzi has worked with The Roots, Steve Williamson, Mannafest, Lenny Henry, MC Mell 'O' and toured with Gangstarr and Jeru Tha Damaja in 1994. He was featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Channel 4's Faking It, and his short films Silence da bitchin and Aeroplane Man were also screened on Channel 4. In 1995, he was creative consultant on LWT's South Bank Show specializing in the art and culture of Hip Hop. He is creator and host of the successful Apricot Jam and Vertikal Cypher infamous Hip Hop music and open mic sessions. He was presenter of the 2005 4Dance for Channel 4 television and was recently the performance mentor for Urban Classic at Hackney Empire in February 2006.