M. K. Asante Explained

M. K. Asante
Birth Date: November 3, 1982
Birth Place:Harare, Zimbabwe
Parents:Molefi Kete Asante and Kariamu Welsh
Nationality:American
Genre:Memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, hip-hop, African-American literature, documentary
Alma Mater:UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
University of London, SOAS
Lafayette College
Notableworks:
While Black with MK Asante
Module:
Embed:yes
Channel Direct Url:MKAsanteProductions
Channel Display Name:MK Asante Productions
Subscribers:67,000
Views:32 million
Stats Update:25 April 2024

M. K. Asante (born November 3, 1982) is an American author, filmmaker, recording artist, and professor. He is the author of the 2013 best-selling memoir and the 2024 memoir .[1] [2]

Early life and education

Asante was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and raised in Philadelphia. He is the son of scholar Molefi Kete Asante and choreographer Kariamu Welsh.

Asante is a graduate of The Crefeld School in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.[3]

He studied film and literature at SOAS University of London. He earned a BA in Africana Studies and English from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a MFA in screenwriting from UCLA School of Theater Film and Television.[4]

Career

Books

Asante is the author of five books, most notably , a 2013 memoir about his turbulent youth in Philadelphia.

Buck was selected as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection was named to The Washington Posts bestseller list in 2014 and 2015.[5] [6] It was included on the In the Margins Book List in 2014.[7] Poet Maya Angelou, who mentored Asante, described Buck as "a story of surviving and thriving with passion, compassion, wit, and style."[8]

Publishers Weekly announced that Asante's second memoir, , would be published by HarperCollins / Amistad Press with an on-sale date of May 21, 2024.[9] Reviewing Nephew, Kirkus Reviews wrote: “This innovative memoir offers provocative commentary on how Black Americans have sung—and might yet sing—their paths to freedom. Passionate, moving, spirited reflections on art’s therapeutic potency.”[10] Library Journal gave Nephew a starred review, stating:

"This poignant memoir about overcoming devastating odds is a treasure and likely to become a classic. Essential reading for deepening understanding of society, the world, familial relationships, and the meaning of art and life."[11]

Films

Asante is a Sundance Institute Feature Film Fellow for the movie adaptation of his memoir Buck.

Asante wrote and produced the 2005 documentary 500 Years Later, a documentary about slavery which received the Breaking the Chains Award from UNESCO.

Asante directed and produced The Black Candle (2012), a documentary about Kwanzaa, co-written and narrated by Maya Angelou.

Asante co-wrote the broadcast opening short films for the 2021 NBA Finals on ABC directed by Spike Lee.

Lectures and essays

Asante has delivered Distinguished Lectures at Yale University, Vanderbilt University, and Southern Methodist University. He has delivered commencement addresses at UCLA, University of Wisconsin, Arizona State University, Vassar College, and Harvard University.

Asante is featured in Changing America: 1968 and Beyond, a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Asante has written essays on art, Hip Hop, technology, and culture for USA Today,[12] The Huffington Post,[13] San Francisco Chronicle,[14] and The New York Times.[15]

Music

Asante is featured on the song "Bangers", along with Halo, from the album Indie 500 by Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder. In their review of the album, Pitchfork noted that "Asante captures the vibe nicely."[16]

Asante is the founder of Wonderful Sound Studios.

As a songwriter, Asante wrote the lyrics for the 2023-2024 official Monday Night Football anthem, "In the Air Tonight", a cover of song of the same name by Phil Collins, performed by Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, and Cindy Blackman Santana.

Academia

At age 23, Asante joined the faculty of Morgan State University. He received tenure three years later, at age 26.[17] He is currently an associate professor of creative writing and film in the Department of English and Language Arts.[18] In 2017, he was appointed to Distinguished Professor-in-Residence at the MICA (Institute of Strategic Marketing and Communication) in India.[19]

He is the recipient of the 2021 Morgan State University Distinguished Achievement Award.

TV shows

Asante is the host and co-executive producer of While Black with MK Asante, a docuseries produced by Snapchat.[20] While Black with MK Asante takes the stories of America's black youth and gives them a platform in the smartphones of millions of America's teens.[21] While Black with MK Asante has nearly 17 million viewers.[22]

TV performances

On November 30, 2020, he performed and debuted "We the Eagles" on ESPN's Monday Night Football for a live audience of 11.4 million viewers.[23]

On May 29, 2021, he performed and debuted "Skate or D.I.E." at the 2021 Dew Tour Skateboarding Olympic qualifier on NBC.

On October 11, 2021, he co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the introduction to ESPN's Monday Night Football Week 5 game featuring the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Baltimore Ravens. In the introduction, Asante is backed by the Morgan State University Marching Band; the introduction was viewed by 11.4 million viewers.[24]

Awards and honors

Books

Films

TV shows

Music

Songwriter

Albums

Singles

Features

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morgan State professor's memoir, Buck makes big splash. McCauley. Mary Carole. The Baltimore Sun. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141026105342/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-02-15/entertainment/bs-ae-asante-profile-20140214_1_buck-malo-naacp-image-award. October 26, 2014. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Master storyteller M.K. Asante keeps it real in the classroom. Amanda. Sealy . CNN. April 5, 2011. June 23, 2017.
  3. http://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/issues/2005.12.15/locallife4.html Filmmaker from Hill thrills Crefeld School kids
  4. http://www.admission.ucla.edu/OurPastMeetsYourFuture/Our_Past_Meets_Your_Future.pdf "Our Past Meeta Your Future"
  5. Web site: Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers 2013 . . November 14, 2014.
  6. News: The Washington Post Bestseller List . October 24, 2014 . The Washington Post . October 24, 2014.
  7. Web site: 2018-09-02. 2014 In the Margins Top Ten. 2022-01-31. In the Margins Book Awards. en.
  8. Book: Asante, Molefi K.. Buck: A Memoir. 2014. Spiegel & Grau. 978-0-8129-8362-3. en.
  9. Web site: The On-Sale Calendar: May 2024. Publishers Weekly. 2024-02-24.
  10. Web site: NEPHEW. kirkusreviews.com . Kirkus Reviews. 2024-02-24.
  11. Web site: NEPHEW. libraryjournal.com . Library Journal. 2024-04-24.
  12. Asante Jr., M.K. (October 25, 2004), "Enough disrespect: Return rap to its artistic roots", USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  13. Web site: Celebrating Kwanzaa With Maya Angelou (VIDEO) . . M.K. . Asante, Jr.. March 18, 2010 . June 23, 2017.
  14. Web site: Asante. MK. We are the post hip-hop generation. SFGate. February 7, 2006 .
  15. News: Asante. MK. 'Accidental Racist' and Lyrical Provocation. The New York Times.
  16. Web site: Talib Kweli / 9th Wonder: Indie 500 . .
  17. Web site: MK Asante gets candid about his rise, struggles and gift for language. Today. February 27, 2020.
  18. Web site: Fear The Bear: The Awakening Of A Once Powerful Force. Gordon. Stanley. October 13, 2007. Spokesman . Morgan State University . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110714125723/http://media.www.msuspokesman.com/media/storage/paper270/news/2007/10/13/WorldNews/Fear-The.Bear.The.Awakening.Of.A.Once.Powerful.Force-3030043-page2.shtml. July 14, 2011. January 10, 2010.
  19. https://www.mica.ac.in/press-release/mica-s-4th-international-conference-in-january-2017 MICA
  20. Petski, Denise (April 4, 2019), "Snapchat Sets 10 New Original Series From Buzzfeed, Bunim/Murray, New Form, More", Deadline Hollywood.
  21. https://shortyawards.com/12th/while-black-with-mk-asante/ "While Black with MK Asante"
  22. Web site: Snap Projects 50% Annual Revenue Growth for Next Several Years, Stock Hits an All-Time High . Todd . Spangler. February 23, 2021 . Variety.
  23. Web site: ESPN's Monday Night Football Experiences Year-over-Year Viewership Gains Again; Seahawks-Eagles Generates 11.4 Million Viewers. Derek. Volner . ESPN. December 2, 2020.
  24. Web site: ESPN's Monday Night Football Colts-Ravens Matchup Generates 11.4 Million Viewers, Another Year-Over-Year Audience Increase. Derek . Volner . ESPN. October 12, 2021.