If you don't know...Marikiscrycrycry

…Let me introduce you!

Malik Nashad Sharpe, otherwise known Marikiscrycrycry, is a London-based choreographer who often uses choreography in contexts other than dance or performance.

They attended Williams College in Massachusetts, the Laban Institute in London and studied with Martin Hargreaves who they continue to work with in a dramaturgical capacity.

I asked Malik a few questions…

HALEY: How do you describe your work? Or, how do you explain to people how you spend your days?

MALIK: No one day is the same, but I spend most of my time either working on projects, training, conceptualising, moving, writing, mentoring. I do a lot of very different things. As I am writing this, I'm on my way to the studio now after doing a bit of writing.

HALEY: What’s your artistic mission? Or who is your work dedicated to?

MALIK: My work varies from piece to piece, or context to context but I would say I'm really invested in looking at melancholy as something that can be productive rather than fatal.

HALEY: What are some of your favourite projects that you’ve worked on?

MALIK: For the last few years and before COVID, I was performing a lot with Rachael Young on her work 'OUT'. It feels very special to work with other Black queer people.

Recently I performed on a livestream for Charles Jeffrey's SOLASTA event during London Fashion Week. It was nice to make something that fit that context and to consider performing in a moment of strife and violence, what that might offer.

Another work I love doing is one of my own called '$ELFIE$" and it's just fun to do a work that I feel is so critical of the United States it almost makes me laugh that I made it. It's so bleak but there are all these cute moments and secrets. It's fun to wrestle with Kam Wan, who is a friend and close collaborator.

HALEY: What are you working on these days?

MALK: I'm making a new trio for a festival next year, a new duet with collaborator Ellen Fury which will premiere in 2022, a new work for EDGE Dance Company at The Place, and some other small things. I'm also releasing a new mini-collection with Sam Ray of clothing on 11th November. All of my work circles around melancholia and social condition, but I always try to make something of it, rather than it be fatal.

HALEY: What artists do you look up to?

MALIK: Travis Alabanza, Ebun Sodipo, Jamila Johnson-Small, Dana Michel, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, SUUTOO, Tati au Miel, Ms Carrie Stacks, and Dir en grey. This is not an exhaustive list.

Malik’s new website launched in November alongside the new mini collection at maliknashadsharpe.com & follow them on instagram!