John Cole is a multi award-winning performing artist whose illustrious career started in the dance industry. He is currently a leading choreographer in Zimbabwe, musician, actor, budding director and entrepreneur. In 2004 he left his life as a fruit and vegetable seller, commonly known as a vendor in Zimbabwe to start dancing in the break dancing crews The Slickers and The Inmates. In this same ye
ar the Inmates won the first edition of the Jibilika Dance Battles. In later years he became a Coach/Choreographer for the Zimbabwe Dance Crew at The Battle of The Year. In 2005 John went on to win the undisputed dance competition in Bboy battles and battled South Korea's Battle of the Year winners Last4one in a HIFA workshop. His electrifying dance moves soon gained him much recognition in the industry and he was commissioned to perform in promotional events such as flashmobs, advertisements, private events as well as live performances. In 2008 the door was opened by the American RnB singer Joe Thomas for John to perform on stage with highly acclaimed international artists. This was followed in 2010 by the Jamaican sister duo Brick and Lace, 2014 the late South African hip hop artist HHP, 2016 Tanzanian mega star Diamond Platinumz featuring Jah Prayzah, and in 2009 South African band Freshly Ground and Nigerian superstar Mr. He became the first choreographer to be featured on promotional posters and fliers. In 2012 he got his break in choreographing music videos when he did Sebastian Magacha's Gospel hit One plus One. This was followed by a stream of other notable artists the likes of Cynthia Mare - Ngoro 2016, Jah Prayzah – Mudhara Achauya Concert 2016, Winky D – Jecha, 2018, Ammara Brown – Mukoko 2015, Ammara Brown - Akiliz 2017, Ammara Brown- Loyal 2019, Freeman and Alec Macheso – Ngaibake 2019 and Sharon Manatsa – Tinofamba Nenyasha which was featured on Trace Gospel 2020. In 2016 he became the first choreographer to be featured in lead roles in music videos in Cynthia Mare’s Ngoro, Cindy Munyavi's – Setter Pace 2017, Shanky – Watora Moyo 2018, Ammara Brown - Tichichema 2019 and Baba Harare - Firita 2020. In 2018 he had his musical debut working with Bulawayo based artist Lee Mchoney with the award nominated song Skoro Skoro, in 2019 he released Xhexhe with Poland based Ashta Eez, followed by Tamba featuring Dj Naida which was nominated for an award in 2021, in 2020 he released Body Abduktion featuring Ghanaian Epixode and South Africa based Shashl. He released his first solo song Gotta Feeling in 2021. In 2015 he directed his first video, Cynthia Mare’s (Uk) Kwahi Hanzi subsequently followed by Ashta Eez (Poland)– Jive in the Ghetto 2018, Nagug (Uk) – Simuka 2021 and Allanah – Mufaro 2021. In 2019 the John Cole Group hosted their first concert John Cole Unplugged featuring the late drummer Delroy Scara. In 2021 the follow up show which was sponsored by Zimbocash, John Cole Plugged In, a virtual concert with a full band. In 2015 followed by 2016 John was awarded the Best Choreographer by the Zimbabwe Model Awards, Zimbabwe Hiphop Awards Best Solo Dancer in 2016, in 2019 at The Events Industry Awards he won The Choreographer of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, The People’s Choice Entertainer, in 2020 The Zimstar Awards Best Choreographer and in 2021 Empire 263 Music and Arts Awards Best Solo Dancer award. In 2017 he was nominated for a Nama award, a Star FM award in 2018 and 2021 nominated for a Changamire and Zima music award. In 2015 he was a presenter on the local television station Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s show, Starmaker. In 2020 he starred in the film Far and Away that was released on Playafrika and a series called Man hound in 2021. In 2011 he branched out into choreographing weddings, teaching at schools and working with corporate entities. He travelled as far as the Philippines in 2014 to choreograph a wedding and to China on the Dance with John Cole tour in 2017. He officially registered the company John Cole Group and has since worked with Econet, Coca cola, Netone, Zimgold, Zta, National Parks, Steward Bank, BancAbc, Agribank, Beta Bricks, Mycash, Saywhat, and Nash Paints. He taught at The Harare International School and The Allure group of schools. In 2016 he choreographed Miss Tourism, in 2017 The Harare International Carnival, he choreographed four uniformed forces that same year, the National Army, Air Force, Republic Police and Prison Services and in 2020 Miss University of Zimbabwe. John Cole is currently working on a clothing line and continuing his directorial endeavors, as well as growing his portfolio as the leading Zimbabwean choreographer, extending his reach across the region into South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
