M. K. Asante facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
M. K. Asante
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Asante speaking at Amend Conference in 2024
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| Born | November 3, 1982 Harare, Zimbabwe |
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television University of London, SOAS Lafayette College |
| Genre | Memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, hip-hop, African-American literature, documentary |
| Notable works | Buck: A Memoir; Nephew: A Memoir in Four-Part Harmony |
| Parents | Molefi Kete Asante and Kariamu Welsh |
| YouTube information | |
| Subscribers | 67,500 |
| Total views | 32.9 million |
| Subscriber and view counts updated as of 23 December 2024. | |
M. K. Asante (born November 3, 1982) is an American writer, filmmaker, and professor. He is also a songwriter and recording artist. He is well-known for his best-selling book Buck: A Memoir, published in 2013. He also wrote Nephew: A Memoir in Four-Part Harmony in 2024.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
M. K. Asante was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. He grew up in Philadelphia, USA. His father, Molefi Kete Asante, is a famous scholar. His mother, Kariamu Welsh, was a talented choreographer.
Asante went to The Crefeld School in Philadelphia. He later studied film and literature at SOAS University of London. He earned a degree in Africana Studies and English from Lafayette College. He also got a Master's degree in screenwriting from UCLA School of Theater Film and Television.
M. K. Asante's Career
Writing Books
Asante has written five books. His most famous book is Buck: A Memoir. It tells the story of his challenging youth in Philadelphia.
Buck was chosen as a special new book by Barnes & Noble. It also appeared on The Washington Post bestseller list in 2014 and 2015. The famous poet Maya Angelou was Asante's mentor. She said Buck was "a story of surviving and thriving with passion, compassion, wit, and style."
Asante's second memoir, Nephew: A Memoir in Four-Part Harmony, came out in 2024. Critics loved Nephew. Kirkus Reviews called it "passionate, moving, spirited reflections." Library Journal said it was "a treasure and likely to become a classic."
Making Movies and Documentaries
Asante is a special filmmaker chosen by the Sundance Institute. This means his movie idea for Buck is being developed.
He wrote and produced a documentary in 2005 called 500 Years Later. This film was about slavery and won an award from UNESCO.
Asante also directed and produced The Black Candle (2012). This documentary is about Kwanzaa. Maya Angelou helped write and narrate it.
He also helped write short films for the 2021 NBA Finals on ABC, which were directed by Spike Lee.
Giving Talks and Writing Essays
Asante has given important talks at many universities, including Yale University and Harvard University. He has also given graduation speeches.
His work is part of a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. This exhibit is called Changing America: 1968 and Beyond.
He has written articles about art, hip hop, and technology for newspapers like USA Today and The New York Times.
Creating Music
Asante is featured on the song "Bangers" from the album Indie 500. This album was made by Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder.
He also started his own music company called Wonderful Sound Studios.
As a songwriter, he wrote the lyrics for the official Monday Night Football anthem. This song, "In the Air Tonight," is a cover of a Phil Collins song. It is performed by Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, and Cindy Blackman Santana.
Teaching and TV Shows
Teaching at University
When he was 23, Asante became a teacher at Morgan State University. He became a tenured professor at age 26. This means he has a permanent teaching position. He teaches creative writing and film there. In 2017, he was also a special professor in India.
He received a special award from Morgan State University in 2021.
Hosting TV Shows
Asante hosts and helps produce While Black with MK Asante. This is a docuseries made by Snapchat. The show shares stories from Black youth in America. Millions of teens watch it on their phones. The series has almost 17 million viewers.
TV Performances
Asante has performed on TV for large audiences.
- In 2020, he performed "We the Eagles" on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Over 11 million people watched.
- In 2021, he performed "Skate or D.I.E." at the Dew Tour Skateboarding Olympic qualifier on NBC.
- He also helped create and starred in the introduction for an ESPN Monday Night Football game in 2021. He was backed by the Morgan State University Marching Band. This was also seen by 11.4 million viewers.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Asante has received many awards for his writing, films, and other work. Some of these include:
- 2002: Jean Corrie Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets
- 2005: Best Documentary for 500 Years Later at the Pan African Film Festival
- 2007: Breaking the Chains Award for 500 Years Later from UNESCO
- 2009: Langston Hughes Award from the Langston Hughes Society
- 2013: "Discover Great New Writers" for Buck: A Memoir from Barnes & Noble
- 2014: Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Fellow
- 2014: NAACP Image Awards finalist for Buck: A Memoir
- 2024: Sports EMMY for Outstanding Opening/Tease for "In the Air" on Monday Night Football
Books by M. K. Asante
- Like Water Running Off My Back (2002)
- Beautiful. And Ugly Too (2005)
- It's Bigger Than Hip Hop (2008)
- Buck: A Memoir (2013)
- Nephew: A Memoir in Four-Part Harmony (2024)
Films by M. K. Asante
- 500 Years Later (2005)
- The Black Candle (2008)
- Buck (in development)
TV Shows by M. K. Asante
- While Black with MK Asante (2019–2021)
- Free Tuition with MK Asante (2020–2021)
- Paid in Full (2024)
Music by M. K. Asante
Songwriter
- 2023-2025: "In the Air Tonight" – for Monday Night Football
Albums
- 2015: Buck: Original Book Soundtrack
Singles
- 2013: "The Color Grey"
- 2014: "My Victory" (featuring Maya Angelou)
- 2014: "The Bulletin"
- 2015: "Young Bucks"
- 2020: "We the Eagles"
- 2021: "Skate or D.I.E."
Features
- 2013: "Godz N The Hood" (with Ras Kass and Talib Kweli)
- 2015: "Rap Psalms"
- 2015: "Bangers"
- 2016: "Runnin"
