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Notable Works (+ Links)
I. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1EFMoRFv
Performer: Beyoncé
II. Burlesque (2010): https://youtu.be/hc7wUiDXlp0?si=_KxRHTjsl5yyXChU Performer: Christina Aguilera and company in “Express” number
III. The Wiz on Broadway (2024) https://youtu.be/F8I_Yo9797s?si=Ge52R3BvokxYr4wz
Ja’Quel Knight is a renowned choreographer, creative director, and filmmaker with a diverse body of work across Broadway, television and film. Achieving commercial success at the age of 18, Knight has earned a distinguished reputation among top entertainers, most notably for his collaborations with Beyoncé. Raised in Atlanta, a key center of the entertainment industry, Knight's upbringing and education there fueled his artistic drive and allowed him to further his creative expression by tapping into his cultural roots.
During his time in school, Knight was a member of the marching band, developing a strong sense of discipline and precision in performance. This experience would later serve as the inspiration for Beyoncé’s iconic Super Bowl halftime show, along with the HBCU experience. His methods of channeling current events of the cultural landscape into art distinguishes his works as some of the most effective methods of storytelling. For example, his work representing black culture is particularly meaningful to him, as his background shaped his values of integrity and the strength needed to protect it as a black artist. In light of the gun violence epidemic against African Americans, he channels such tragedies into his art in an effort to permanently resonate with the public. This emphasis on symbolism makes his work particularly unique.
His methods also reflect the growing demand and interest in visual cinematography to supplement his choreography. This is why he is credited among some of the most iconic music videos of all time, including the visually exciting Black Is King film featuring Beyoncé. I deeply resonate with Knight's journey as a choreographer with a passion for film. My love for cinema began at the age of nine, watching classic films with my grandmother and leaving me feeling cultured at a young age.
Like Knight, I aspire to fuse visual storytelling with the art of dance in the commercial world. I also admire his bold decision to establish his own enterprise, ensuring the legal protection of his work after facing compensation challenges. He understands the profound beauty in his work, which holds deep personal significance. This sets artists apart—their lives and intimate experiences are woven into their creations. Their art is an extension of themselves, deserving the same respect and protection they afford their own identities. I deeply resonate with this.
MLA Bibliography
Fuhrer, Margaret. “JaQuel Knight: Changing the Game, from Choreography to
Copyright.” Dance Magazine, 14 Jan. 2022.
“Jaquel Knight.” JaQuel Knight, www.jaquelknight.com/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.
Milzoff, Rebecca. “Inside ‘Single Ladies’ Choreographer Ja’Quel Knight’s Quest to
Copyright His Dances.” Billboard, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2023.
Shapiro, Ari, et al. “He Choreographed ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘Wap.’ Now He’s Got A
Bigger Mission.” NPR, NPR, 16 Nov. 2020.