Chester Music, part of Wise Music Group, is delighted to announce a publishing relationship with performer, composer, and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Dickson Mbi. Largely self-taught, Dickson writes music inspired by his African heritage and his experience of music from hip hop to classical. The result is a compelling and authentic music that is unashamedly communicative and rooted in feeling.
Cameroon-born and London-raised Dickson joins Chester Music though a bespoke relationship providing support and collaboration in his continuing musical development from fellow Wise Music Group composers. His catalogue includes the score for Twice Born, an ambitious new choreography and score for Scottish Ballet, featuring soprano Lucy Crowe, vocalist Bongi Duma, percussionist Bei Bei Weng, violinist Eos Counsell, Meghan Cassidy on viola and cellist Gabi Swallow, produced by Jonas Persson. It premiered to huge acclaim in September 2023.
"I see Wise as part of my family. So, to make this official and begin this journey of my artistic musical development means a lot to me,” says Dickson.
“Three years ago, I met choreographer Dickson, and we talked a lot about music - his likes and dislikes and what he needs from music,” says Wise Music’s Creative Director of UK Rights, Gill Graham. “Turns out that the music he needed was sitting inside him and composer Dickson revealed his innate talent for writing music. We had a wonderful time developing ‘Twice Born’ and Dickson is already working on future projects. He is bubbling over with originality and creativity with so much to say and it's a privilege to work with him."
Dickson has featured in multiple TV campaigns including BALMAIN X H&M (2016), AUDI E TRON (2014), and was the face for LUCOZADE REVIVE (2012). He has worked with award-winning artists such as Russell Maliphant, Boy Blue Entertainment, Robbie Williams, Corrine Bailey-Rae, Black Eyed Peas and choreographed the 'Leave A Trace' music video for CHVRCHES.
About Dickson Mbi
Dickson Mbi is a world-renowned choreographer, performer and composer, and winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for Enowate, a work he choreographed and co-composed. Born in Cameroon, Dickson grew up in East London, creating ground-breaking performances and inspiring a new generation of dancers, with his partner Brooke Milliner in their battle crews Prototype and Fiya House.
In 2018, Sadler’s Wells commissioned the documentary Street to Stage for BBC4’s Danceworks series. Dickson’s unique journey serves to raise aspiration, acting as a figurehead representing different pathways to the most prestigious stages for contemporary dance. As a dancer Dickson has worked with award-winning artists such as Russell Maliphant, with whom he toured extensively internationally. As a choreographer he has developed major works for leading companies, most recently Twice Born, an ambitious 21 dancer piece for Scottish Ballet which premiered in September 2023 to critical acclaim and for which he also composed the score.
Dickson Mbi Company was established in 2018 with Farooq Chaudhry OBE to develop and present this bold and rising talent. Under Dickson Mbi Company, Dickson has created Duende (2018, 20 minutes) and Enowate (2022, 60 minutes).
Listen to Dickson Mbi on Wise Music Group’s Podcast Series ‘Composing Myself
Listen to Twice Born on Spotify
dicksonmbi.com