Jonzi D is a skilled dancer, theatre performer, rap artist, poet and emcee. After graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi D. founded Breakin’ Convention - an annual festival of hip-hop dance theatre. He was an Associate Artist at The Place. His critically acclaimed performances include Lyrikal Fearta, Aeroplane Man, TAG… Just Writing My Name, Markus the Sadist, and he directed films like Our Bodies Back and its sequel, AUTOCORRECT – a running theme in all his works has been contemporary experiences of racism and displacement in Britain. In 2011 Jonzi turned down an offer of MBE for services to British dance because of the link between empire and colonialism, and later used it as inspiration for his solo performance The Letter: To Be or To MBE? In 2023, he was awarded a citation from Al Taylor of the 71st District - New York State Assembly in recognition of his efforts for advancing and advocating hip hop culture in the UK and abroad, and the De Valois Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Dancing Times Critic’s Circle.
