1. What made you adopt the Cuban alter ego (for your gigs) and Afro-Cuban music, and then, mix it with Hip Hop and Breakdancing ?
I always loved the energy of vintage Salsa and Latin Jazz, since I was a teenager. I grew up being a B-boy, an emcee, and a singer since I was 14. After living and DJ-ing in Spain, in the mid-1990s, and inventing the character of Miguel Mantovani, it was natural to marry the two; it was to get away with being naughty and doing comedy in an environment that had become a little po-faced at the time. After battling Archerio in a Hip-Hop club I invited him to join me at an early Cubano show; we clicked as dancers and performers. Next, we recruited Kengo San who was a student of all styles, and it gave us a chance to mix it up and have fun with all elements.

Mike Keat aka Miguel Mantovani Musician, B Boying artist