M. K. Asante Jr. is an American author, filmmaker, and professor. He has been described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "a rare, remarkable talent that brings to mind the great artists of the Harlem Renaissance." He was described by CNN as "a master storyteller and major creative force." Essence Magazine wrote "Asante is the voice of a new generation." He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the Langston Hughes Award from the Langston Hughes Society and the Key to the City of Dallas, TX.

Biographie

Books
Asante is the author of four books. His most recent book, Buck, is a critically acclaimed memoir about his youth in Philadelphia. Buck Random House/Spiegel & Grau was selected as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick for Fall '13. Poet Maya Angelou described Buck as:


"A story of surviving and thriving with passion, compassion, wit, and style."
His other books are the poetry collections, Beautiful. And Ugly Too and Like Water Running Off My Back and the critically acclaimed creative nonfiction book It's Bigger Than Hip Hop.



Films
Asante wrote and produced 500 Years Later, winner of numerous international film festival prizes as well as the Breaking the Chains Award from the United Nations' UNESCO. Asante directed and produced The Black Candle, a Starz TV film narrated by Maya Angelou, winner of Best Documentary at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival. Asante produced Motherland, winner of Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival and Zanzibar International Film Festival.


Lectures, media, essays and music
Asante has lectured in more than 25 countries at hundreds of colleges, universities, libraries, film festivals, conferences, and literary festivals.

Asante has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including the CBS Early Show, CNN, Tom Joyner Morning Show, NPR, and NBC News.

Asante has written essays on art, Hip Hop, technology, and culture for USA Today, Huffington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times.

Asante made his debut as a rapper on "Godz N The Hood," a 2013 song by Ras Kass also featuring Talib Kweli.



Education and professorship
Asante is a graduate of The Crefeld School. He studied film and literature at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, earned a BA in Africana Studies and English from Lafayette College, and an M.F.A. in Screenwriting from UCLA School of Theater Film and Television.

At 23, he joined the faculty of Morgan State University. He received tenure shortly after and is currently Associate Professor of creative writing and film in the Department of English and Language Arts.