boy blue

Biography

Boy Blue is an award-winning hip-hop dance company founded in 2001 in East London by composer Michael 'Mikey J' Asante, MBE, and choreographer Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy, MBE. The company quickly established itself as a pioneering force in the UK dance scene, known for blending the foundations of American hip-hop with distinctly British influences such as jungle, grime, and garage. Boy Blue's work is characterized by its innovative choreography, bass-driven electronic scores, and a commitment to exploring themes of social tension, cultural identity, and community celebration.

Over the past two decades, Boy Blue has nurtured hundreds of young dancers, providing a transformative platform for emerging talent and fostering a vibrant community space in East London. Their breakthrough came in 2007 with 'Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Dance Revolution,' which won a Laurence Olivier Award and set a new standard for hip-hop in UK theatre. As Associate Artists at the Barbican, Boy Blue has continued to push creative boundaries, with their biennial showcase 'A Night With Boy Blue' becoming a staple event for both audiences and critics. The company's legacy lies in its ability to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of dancers while continually redefining the possibilities of hip-hop performance.

Fun Facts

• Boy Blue's production 'Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Dance Revolution' won a Laurence Olivier Award, a rare achievement for a hip-hop company.
• The company was founded by two artists who both hold the title of MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for their contributions to dance.
• Boy Blue's annual and biennial showcases at the Barbican have become must-see events in the London dance calendar.
• Their work often fuses American hip-hop with British genres like grime and garage, creating a unique sound and movement style.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Hip-hop pioneers (general US hip-hop culture) - Foundational inspiration for both founders, informing their early style and approach (General hip-hop dance and music traditions) [1980s–1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Michael 'Mikey J' Asante, MBE - Co-founder and composer, responsible for Boy Blue's signature sound (All Boy Blue productions) [2001–present]
• Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy, MBE - Co-founder and choreographer, shaping the company's movement vocabulary (All Boy Blue productions) [2001–present]
• Barbican Centre - Associate Artist partnership, providing a platform for major productions and showcases ('Pied Piper', 'A Night With Boy Blue', other stage works) [2009–present]

Artists Influenced

• Hundreds of young UK hip-hop dancers - Trained through Boy Blue's dance school and community programs; many have gone on to professional careers (Various graduates' performances and projects) [2001–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I Heard (In The Glow)
2. Harley Quinn (973)
3. Headspin (In The Glow)
4. Sage Green (In The Glow)
5. Ghost of Saturday Night (Ghost of Saturday Night)
6. Panic? Panic! (Cheats on Kylie Jenner?!)
7. Ghost of Saturday Night (Cheats on Kylie Jenner?!)
8. Secondhand Smoke (Cheats on Kylie Jenner?!)
9. Die Hard 6: Let Me Die Hard (Cheats on Kylie Jenner?!)
10. World of Ruin (Cheats on Kylie Jenner?!)

External Links

• Spotify