Saved events

Michael 'Mikey J' Asante: Outliers

Mikey J Asante

Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, composer and co-founder of Boy Blue, combines hip-hop, dance and video for his piece Outliers, a multimedia meditation on social, public and political consciousness.

Dedicated to the ‘outliers', those that stand up for what they believe in, Outliers is inspired by Mikey’s own life experience. It’s a reflection of how his worldview has changed as he’s grown up, from being a young man concerned more with creativity than success, to someone who has received numerous plaudits and been invited to Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. It’s a piece that combines music, dance and video, as Mikey is joined by an ensemble of musicians, alongside elements of choreography from his Boy Blue partner Kenrick Sandy MBE.

The piece reflects on major issues that have become a concern of Mikey J’s, with themes of race, class, gender and equality. Outliers is a part of the Barbican’s 2018 Season, The Art of Change, which explores how artists respond to, reflect and affect change in the social and political landscape.

Produced by the Barbican

Discover

Photo of Mikey J

Listen: 'Number 1 ' - Exclusive track from 'Outliers' by Mikey J

Mikey J, composer and co-founder of Boy Blue and music producer who's worked with the likes of Kano, Akala and Raleigh Ritchie, shares an exclusive new track from Outliers

mikey and george on  a couch

In conversation: Michael 'Mikey J' Asante and George the Poet

 

Michael 'Mikey J' Asante (co-founder and co-artistic director of Boy Blue) and George the Poet share their thoughts on their creative process, the idea of community, and how art can transform lives.

album cover of kano

Listen: Kano - Made in the Manor

Listen to the Mikey J produced album by Kano. 

Part of The Art of Change

Our 2018 season explores how the arts respond to, reflect and potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

Barbican Hall