Shiba Melissa Mazaza chats with rap artist M.anifest, who performs at Design Indaba Music 2015, after his return from a tour with Damon Albarn in South America.
Another year has rolled round, bringing with it a wave of anticipation for the scintillating things that we can all look forward to musically in 2015. Thus far, African music has enjoyed a reinterpretation of its place in the world, and with that comes more and more engaging contemporary African sounds from all over the continent that are impossible to replicate.
Ghanaian wordsmith and musician M.anifest’s music is one of the contemporary musicians who will perform at The Side Show on Thursday February 26 as part of Design Indaba Music 2015, a showcase of African talent at the annual Design Indaba Festival. The Side Show lineup, which includes five other acts, will be accompanied by three evenings of music at Design Indaba from February 25-27.
M.anifest is an internationally acclaimed award-winning musician from Accra, Ghana. In 2013 he won the “Best Rapper of the Year” award at the Ghana Music Awards, only a year after being tipped by BBC’s The Strand as one of four artists to watch in the world. Described as “Ghana’s rapper supreme” by Rita Ray of the BBC, M.anifest’s originality, lyricism, flow and depth in content have made him one of contemporary Africa’s most keenly watched musicians.
In 2013 M.anifest released his third studio album, Apae: The Price of FreeEP, which he describes as his first album “made in Ghana, inspired by Ghana, and provoked by Ghana”. With three studio albums to his credit, the Ghanaian rapper has already stacked up an impressive resume of work with icons, recording with legends such as Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Afrobeat co-founder Tony Allen, Erykah Badu and more. He was prominently featured on five tracks on the Rocket Juice & the Moon album.
The year 2014 saw the now-seasoned musician reaching for new heights across many fields. He is a co-founder of Giants Steps, a conference for entrepreneurs and artists, and his original fashion sense earned him a brand ambassadorship with Woodin, a company that produces African textiles.
After sweeping two awards at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards and solidifying his spot as one of contemporary Africa’s best live performers, M.anifest is currently working on music videos in support of his latest album, Apae: the Price of Free EP.
For full report, interview and sound clip visit Mail & Guardian
PHOTO CREDIT: Internationally acclaimed Ghanaian musician, M.anifest, will be performing at The Side Show as part of Design Indaba Music 2015. (Manifestmc.com)
