Ghanaian rapper, M.anifest, has given some nuggets on what it takes to have a piece of incredible music.
M.anifest emphasized the importance of alignment and inspiration in making great music.
“You can go to school for music like forever, it doesn’t guarantee you inspiration, it doesn’t guarantee you the ability to make incredible music. It guarantees you the understanding or the ability to mimic what’s great. But if you’re not aligned, you can’t, it’s not possible.”
M.anifest
He also revealed his creative process on how he often goes into the studio without a clear idea of what will happen.
“Bro, like I go into the studio, and I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I know with the alignment that I have, something will happen. And I listen to things… how that song came about was a complete accident; we were looking for precautions for another song, we stumbled on some horns and I’m like yo, yo, yo.”
M.anifest
M.anifest also mentioned his alternative career backup plan if music didn’t work out.
“If money becomes an issue, I go be DJ. I have an option. No, I make incredible playlists. I’m not even trying to gas myself up, like, because I already love music, so I can get into the deep cuts.”
M.anifest
The rapper’s statements places emphasis on alignment, and creativity which serves as a reminder that making great music requires more than just technical skill.
M.anifest on Talent Investment
The Ghanaian rapper opined on what it takes to get people to buy into one’s music talent and invest in them.
The rapper emphasised that having talent is not enough to be successful as a musician. “Nobody is going to support you just because you’re dope; they’re supporting you because you’re dope and potentially can make money,” he said.
He also highlighted the disparity between Ghana’s music industry and other creative fields.
“Globally, people are doing amazing things; even the visual arts world in Ghana is going to reach incredible heights when it comes to business, but the music is always lacking in that regard.”
M.anifest
He identified some of the challenges facing the music industry.
“In terms of the music industry side, we dey back. I’ll just say it plainly and honestly. We haven’t reached any respectable levels for the kind of place where we for dey, like as both as a country and also to honor the kind of talent that we have.”
M.anifest
He emphasised the need for creatives to be more serious-minded and for the industry to be more tangible.
“Obviously, the infrastructure thing is a huge thing, but I’m also putting the honest on us as creatives to also be a bit more serious-minded… Industry should be tangible. We haven’t created a very lucrative infrastructure for the business, both lucrative and also beneficial to the consumer.”
M.anifest
He also emphasized the importance of good ideas and hard work.
“Money doesn’t bring good ideas, good ideas bring money… All of us for be more serious. That’s how we have to what do, we’re always making excuses, we are always like talking about problems, we are not talking about it, just like is an actual industry.”
M.anifest
M.anifest’s interview offers an insightful look at the challenges facing Ghana’s music industry.
His emphasis on entrepreneurship, tangible infrastructure, and serious-mindedness serves as a call to action for creatives and industry stakeholders.
Moreover, South African rapper, A-Reece, also known as Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge, opened up about working with M.anifest.
He doffed his hat to the rapper ahead of the latter’s upcoming project New Road and Guava Trees, released March 13.
The 14-track album features the South African rapper and several other Ghanaian stars, including AraTheJay, Darkovibes, and King Promise.
According to A Reece, M.anifest inspires him to be a better writer. A Reece, Sama 2022 Best Hip Hop Album of the year winner got to work with M.anifest for the first time on his 2023 released album, P2: The Big Hearted Bad Guy. “This man is truly gifted,” A-Reece said.
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