Meet the Youth Group

Da Bratz - Da Bratz is the youth group of Olivier Awarded Hip-Hop Dance Company Boy Blue Entertainment. Ranging from ages 9 to 18, some members joined six or more years ago while others have come onboard within the last year.

Training twice a week to develop knowledge, understanding and learn about the history of different Hip-Hop dance and Street Dance styles, Da Bratz have performed at Sadler?s Wells (Breakin’ Convention), Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Barbican, as well as in youth shows around London.
Recent high-profile credits for some members, include the acclaimed production of Pied Piper, and the BBC dance television programme Move Like Michael Jackson.
Da Bratz,under the choreographic arms of Vicky ‘Skytilz’ Mantey and Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier, returned to Breakin Convention 2012 to open that year’s programme.
2012 saw Da Bratz, featuring in yet another new Barbican Autumn Commission. A new theatre piece made by the Young People of Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning and Boy Blue Entertainment – ‘Unleashed’ – 5 Stars by The Independent.
Choreography by: BBE Artistic Director Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, Da Bratz Artistic Directors Vicky ‘Skytilz’ Mantey and Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier and The Dancers of Da Bratz.

 

Da Bluez - Da Bluez is the older group of Olivier Awarded Hip-Hop Dance Company Boy Blue Entertainment. Born from within BBE itself, Da Bluez was created by former members of Da Bratz. As they grew older, now ages ranging from 17 to 21, they wished to continue but within a reborn form, Da Bluez. Now in their 4th year, they are a force within themselves as part of the BBE family tree.

Olivier award-winning Boy Blue Entertainment’s older youth company Da Bluez
Da Bluez,under the choreographic arms of Vicky ‘Skytilz’ Mantey and Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier, performed this exclusive choreography, originally choreographed on 9 adults from the senior company in 2011 and has been a piece to develop individualist performance skills as well as challenging them to the intricacies of Kenrick’s choreography for this work.
Choreography by: BBE Artistic Director Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, Da Bluez Artistic Directors Vicky ‘Skytilz’ Mantey and Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier and The Dancers of Da Bluez.


Here is a link to recent video from summer of Da Bratz and Bluez Performance at Dalston Kingland which was a Barbican event - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlJFKNE6bCM

 

 

Meet the Boy Blue team

Kenrick ‘H2o’ Sandy Co Founder and Co Artistic Director


Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy is Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Boy Blue Entertainment, Associate Artists at The Barbican Centre and one of the top choreographers and performers in the UK urban, commercial and theatrical scenes.

2012 saw Kenrick choreograph for London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, Thanks Tim segment, alongside director Danny Boyle, 10 day tour performing BBE: Touch to sell out audiences in Hong Kong, choreography for major film releasing via Vertigo Films 2013 and also featured in, Jonzi D’s Lyrikal Fearta Redux at Sadlers Wells. For Unleashed, seeing BBE’s Da Bratz and Bluez, plus the Barbican’s Young Poets, Film-Makers and Musicians on one stage, Kenrick choreographs and co-directs.

Kenrick’s credits are extensive and include theatre, TV and film, nationally and internationally with Misteeq, Sugababes,Plan B, Victoria Beckham, Olivier Awarded Pied Piper, Into the Hoods, Street Dance 3D, BAFTA Awards, So You Think You Can Dance and CBBC’s Alesha’s Street Dance Stars.

Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante Co Founder and Co Artistic Director


Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante is Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Boy Blue Entertainment, Associate Artists at The Barbican Centre and a leading U.K producer. 2012 saw his creative input in London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, alongside director Danny Boyle and Co-Founder/Artistic Director Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, 10 day tour performing BBE: Touch to sell out audiences in Hong Kong and a major film score releasing via Vertigo Films 2013. Mikey is also featured in, Jonzi D’s Lyrikal Fearta Redux at Sadlers Wells. Unleashed sees BBE’s Da Bratz and Bluez, plus the Barbican’s Young Poets, Film-Makers and Musicians on one stage.

Musically, Mikey’s latest releases, include producing Delilah’s ‘Inside my Love’ receiving heavy support at BBC Radio 1 and featured on Delilah’s debut album ‘From the Roots Up’ entering at #5 in the Official U.K album charts. Also remixing hotly tipped Tanya Lacey’s single ‘Greatness’, it play-listed on Choice FM receiving widespread radio support.

Vicky ‘Skytilz’ Mantey Creative Director Da Bratz Boy Blue Entertainment Youth Company


Skytilz has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for Boy Blue Entertainment since 2001. Over the years, Skytilz has become an accomplished teacher, choreographer and dancer, including choreography/performances such as; Oliver award winning ‘Pied Piper’, Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, and almost every year at Breakin’ Convention. Skytilz is also main choreographer of Da Bratz (younger Boy Blue Entertainment dancers) who have achieved a number if performances over the years, including their very own show ‘A Nite With Da Bratz’ (Barbican Theatre 2010), various appearances at Breakin’ Convention and supporting act for Electric Boogaloos at the Southbank Centre (UK)

Skytilz has choreographed for two movies ‘Street Dance 3D’ and upcoming movie ‘Allstars 3D’ (Vertigo Films). More recently, she was dance captain for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

Other credits include, Nike, MTV, George Sampson, Lemar, Reebok, Dizzie Rascal, Lady sovereign, Choice FM, and ITV.


Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier Creative Director Da Bratz Boy Blue Entertainment Youth Company


Bruno ‘Boom’ Perrier has been on the UK dance scene for 10years, performing choreographing and teaching. Dance has taken him to some amazing places to perform and train such as San Diego California, Egypt, Switzerland, France as well as many other European destinations. Some of his credits include ..dance captain of Olympic Opening Ceremony 2012, MTV Europe music awards with Plan B and Rita Ora, The XFactor Live finals, So you think you can dance UK, Labrinth UK tour and The Brit awards to name a few.

Bruno is also Co-Artistic Director for Da Bratz of Boy Blue Entertainment and now also along standing member of Boy Blue Entertainment since 2006.


Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ LecointeDannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe is a dancer, actress and choreographer living and working in London. She has been performing with Boy Blue Entertainment, a Resident Company at The Barbican, from the beginning of her dance career. As a performer, Rhimes has played many different roles on both stage and screen. In 2006 Rhimes appeared in the film Life & Lyrics. She also played the lead role of ‘Rap-On-Zel’ in ZooNation Dance Company’s critically acclaimed award-winning West End show Into the Hoods from 2006 to 2009. Rhimes also appeared in Boy Blue’s Olivier Award winning production Pied Piper and Over the Edge, both at the Barbican. In 2010 Rhimes was cast as the character ‘Justine’ in the box office smash hit film Street Dance 3D. In 2012 Rhimes and her all-female dance crew Boadicea reached the finals of Got to Dance (Sky One). Rhimes and the girls were then invited to perform with Diversity on the arena tour of their new show Digitized. Rhimes created choreography for the tour alongside Ashley Banjo. As an assistant choreographer she has also worked with Kenrick Sandy on So You Think You Can Dance (BBC). Other TV appearances include: Blue Peter (BBC), The Paul O’Grady Show (Channel 4), Graham Norton’s When Will I Be Famous (BBC), It’s Paul Burling (ITV), Comic Relief (BBC) and Sport Relief (BBC). Her choreographic credits include: Plan B, Esser, Lady Sovereign and The 2Bears. She is also Choreographer and Artist Developer to female girl band Rogue, Eden Rush and female artist Carmen Leigh. In the world of fashion, Rhimes has modelled for L’Oreal London, Afro Hair and Beauty and has choreographed for The London Victoria and Albert Museum Fashion Show. Rhimes is trained in, and particularly passionate about Hip Hop, Freestyle, Waackin and House.

Bradley ‘Bradz’ Charles


Music and dance has always been a big part of Bradley Charles life
Since starting to take dance seriously 10 years ago, he has grown from strength to strength working with some of the top names in the commercial and underground industry.

His dream started off taking part in a performing arts course were he was invited due to his excelling talent in drama and acting. From there, he was training in Little Ilford Youth Centre taking part in several community based shows. It was at this point were he fell into the big dance world.

He has had the chance to dance and choreograph for the likes of Peter Andre, N-Dubz, Alexendra Burke, Professor Green, Plan B, Adidas, Reebok, Puma and of course star as “Frankie” From the box office smash hit “STREETDANCE 3D” This all being said Bradley still remains to be a calm, collected, leadership figure in any role which he finds himself in and above all still loves to be on stage performing.

Kenrick's works over the years

Touch -
Get up close and personal with street dance phenomenon and Barbican Artistic Associate Boy Blue Entertainment . Artistic Directors Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy and Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante lay on an intimate evening of beats and moves in the Pit Theatre. With the Pit transformed into a cabaret-style stage and bar, this is a rare opportunity to see the boys raw and unplugged.

Sandy ‘s choreographic work includes Plan B’s video Prayin’, performances for George Michael, Fergie, The Sugababes, Duffy and Leona Lewis. Asante’s music credits include Kano’s gold selling Home Sweet Home, London Town, 140 Grime Street, and the remix of Tindo by Baaba Maal, as used by BBC’s World Cup coverage 2010. 

Kenrick and Michael created Pied Piper, and both collaborated on Street Dance the Movie 3D.

 

 

http://vimeo.com/64725025

 

 

Pied Piper -
Pied Piper is Boy Blue Entertainments Olivier Awarded show for Outstanding 
Achievement in Affiliate Theatre for their first full-length hip hop dance 
theatre work.Get ready for this adrenalin fuelled explosion, combining original street dance choreography with a bold urban soundtrack.

Pied Piper is a contemporary performance inspired by Robert Browning’s poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin. It is an innovative, original and thrilling fusion of dance and narrative, taking an edgy look at morality.

Boy Blue Entertainment’s electrifying mix of synchronized hip-hop moves, energetic breakdancing and soulful beats, take the audience to the heart of the city streets.

http://vimeo.com/64734813



The Legacy - Returns -

Unstoppable hip-hop dance sensation and Barbican Artistic Associates, Boy Blue Entertainment premiere, BBE: Legacy, “The Return”.

Led by Kenrick “H20” Sandy and Michael “Mikey J” Asante, Boy Blue Entertainment are an Oliver Award-winning hip hop dance theatre company from London which continues to develop and inspire hip hop dancers from grass roots to seasoned professionals.
If you missed out in 2011, fear not as returning to The Jerwood Dance House December 2012, BBE push street dance to its limits once again for yet another alternative festive yuletide treat.
2012 also sees BBE returning fresh from touring to Hong Kong and completing Unleashed, a new theatre piece made by the Young People of Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning and Boy Blue Entertainment. Additional events and TV appearances from various members of BBE include London 2012, Got To Dance (Bodicea), Serious About Street Dance, ROH2, Channel 4 short film, Strictly Come Dancing, Street Dance 3D The Movie, Bafta Awards, Breakin’ Convention 2012(Sadlers Wells), So You Think You Can Dance (BBC) and Alesha’s Street Dance Stars (CBBC).

‘Boy Blue deserves kudos for pushing the envelope’ – Sanjoy Roy – The Guardian

• ‘Such is the awesome power of hip-hop theatre’ – Graham Watts – Ballet Magazine
• ‘The powerful movements are explosive and take your breath away’ – James Corke – People with Voices
• ‘They let the dancing do the talking and it spoke volumes.’ WAYNE SAVAGE Ipswich Evening Star
• ‘Precise, powerful, passionate; it was an attention-grabbing showcase of street dancing being pushed to its limits and beyond.’ WAYNE SAVAGE Ipswich Evening Star
• ‘If you’re looking for something different from the festive shows doing the rounds I’d recommend this.’ WAYNE SAVAGE Ipswich Evening Star

http://vimeo.com/64725024


The Five and the Prophecy of Prana -
Created by the Olivier Award winning-team behind Pied Piper, Boy Blue Co-Artistic Directors, Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy (Choreographer) and Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Composer) are joined by leading Japanese manga artist Akio Tanaka and London based film makers Yeast Culture to produce an explosive new narrative dance work integrating hip-hop, manga and martial arts.


Five troublemakers are sent to a rehabilitation camp for young offenders run by the Grand Master of martial art, Pih Poh Fu. Unknown to them, he is also a Guardian of Prana – a secret warrior group entrusted with the protection of a spell controlling peace. When a rebellious Guardian seeks to seize power, the five must lead the battle of good against evil. 



The Five & the Prophecy of Prana will premiere in October 2013, opening in Derry-Londonderry as part of the UK City of Culture 2013 before moving to London for a two week run at the Barbican.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dnaVlfy8eJE

Survey Monkey

I put together a quick survey that would help me understand others knowledge of the group and the founder and co - founder.

Here is the link for the survey - <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2LZJXC9">Click here to take survey</a>

Kenrick's brief interview

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XT72HFM_Gow

http://youtu.be/OUFl8UIZCWk

Boy Blue Biography

Boy Blue Entertainment is an award-winning hip-hop dance company founded in London by choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy and composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante. As joint Artistic Directors, they work together on the creation and development of all of Boy Blue Entertainment’s productions and projects.

<sup>Acclaimed for presenting “the perfect marriage of music and dance” Boy Blue releases boundless creative energy in its performances, laying down the beats and delivering thrilling and raw dance sequences. The Company is proud to be home to some of the UK’s most sought-after hip-hop artists.

Possibly there most prominent commission to date was for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, where in collaboration with Danny Boyle, Kenrick choreographed hundreds of young dancers for the segment Frankie and June say thanks Tim . ..as well as staging the handover of the Olympic torch to seven future Olympians and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron. Michael provided musical compositions for the celebration of British music and the accomplishments of Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

Since its inception in 2002, Kenrick and Michael have worked to engage and inspire through the creation of first class work for the stage and screen. Always keen to take hip-hop beyond the streets and clubs, Kenrick and Michael have been at the forefront of the UK movement to present hip-hop as an art form in its own right, creating dance theatre productions from the outset. Their breakthrough into the mainstream came with the production Pied Piper, originally presented at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, before transferring to the Barbican and outing the UK. The production won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Dance Production. The success of Pied Piper led to Boy Blue being invited to join the Barbican as an Associate Artist.

Boy Blue History</sup>

In 2009 BBE became Associate Artists at the Barbican, London, Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film.

In 2007 BBE received an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre for their full-length hip hop dance theatre work Pied Piper.

In 2012 Kenrick Sandy, Artistic Director of Boy Blue Entertainment, was picked as a leading choreographer for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony, Thanks Tim Segment.

Shows – created two full length hip hop dance shows Pied Piper and Over The Edge, touring Nationally throughout England.

BBE have taught over 5000 people over 5 years through their education / workshop / outreach.

The company has received critical acclaim in the British and international press for their work – including five star reviews in The Independent.

Kenrick Sandy was a judge on Alesha Dixon’s Streetdance Stars on BBC television 2011/2013 and has been a regular choreographer on BBC’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

In 2012 BBE and Jonzi D were commissioned by Channel Four to create a short dance film piece, ‘One Man Walking’ which was aired at prime time on national television. Kenrick Sandy played the lead role in this film.

    Kenrick has created choreography for artists as diverse as

• Rita Ora
• Fergie, Black Eyed Peas
• Plan B
• Victoria Beckham
• George Michael
• Sophie Ellis-Bexter
• Dizzee Rascal
• Leona Lewis
• Alexandra Burke
• Street Dance 3D & All Stars

Targets and aims to find out about chosen choreographer

One of my main focuses within this project is to know every small detail about Kenrick, which will include the type of up bringing he had, how and why he started dancing and as a choreographer now a days what inspires him for shows and pieces. I want to basically know what he thinks whilst choreographing and performing on stage for millions and how he deals with everyday life and dance related work on a day to day basis.