“MK is the voice of a new generation.”- Essence Magazine
Award winning author and filmmaker MK Asante has announced a new partnership with Talib Kweli’s Javotti Media for the release of his official soundtrack to his best selling book, Buck. The original soundtrack provides a sonic hip-hop journey through the trials and tribulations MK faced growing up. Based on his memoir, Buck features collaborations with Talib Kweli, Ras Kass, King Mez, and Uzi along with an exclusive recording from the late Dr. Maya Angelou.
“Buck, the memoir is important not just for it’s scope and passion, but for the author’s refusal to apologize for existing,” says Javotti Media CEO, Talib Kweli. “The accompanying soundtrack allows you to engulf yourself in this world. When you do, you realize that this work of art is not just important, but necessary.”
Born in Zimbabwe, raised in urban Philadelphia in the 90’s, MK dealt with many of the same issues plaguing today’s hip-hop generation. In both the book and album he candidly shares his story of navigating the streets of Philadelphia, having those close to him go to jail and dealing with mental illness in his family. MK himself was expelled from several schools before going on to get his MFA from UCLA and become the youngest tenured professor at Morgan State University at age 26.
In just over a year, Buck has made a substantial mark on the literary world making the Washington Post Best Seller List twice and becoming a finalist for the NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Literary Work. Its growing popularity is steadily rising with over 100 high schools and colleges currently using it in their core classes and curriculums.
The soundtrack serves as a continuation of the coming of age story MK tells in his memoir and creates another mechanism for him to reach the hip-hop audience. “The soundtrack is essential to me because it promotes literacy,” says MK Asante. “I wanted to do something new to push the boundaries of literature and the soundtrack does this. It translates the book into the universal language of music.”
In addition to the Buck original soundtrack, MK has also been awarded a Sundance Institute Feature Film fellowship for the upcoming movie adaption of Buck.
The Buck soundtrack will be released on Wednesday, May 13th, on the one year anniversary of the paper back release of Buck. It will be available as a free digital download on MKAsante.com and KweliClub.com.