M.anifest has made a name for himself by telling stories through his music that are unmistakably influenced by the youth culture of his native Ghana, but also represent themes and ideas that have managed to strike a chord with audiences of all ages around the world. In the latest interview from PEPR, M.anifest discusses his creative process, finding his identity through his environment, and how he wants his music to reflect the reality and the issues facing his homeland.
The son of a lawyer and the grandson of a composer, M.anifest mixes an educated perspective with an absolute passion for music. "The thing that I have always found charming about hip hop... is that you can bend it to suit you... it's got this idea of representing and bringing where you're from into it," M.anifest says, explaining how he grew to love music through cassette tapes that were brought back to Ghana by friends and relatives who had travelled abroad. "It's the sound of the youth. Older people can't dictate to us how to make it."
While he says he's focused on creating music that represents Africa and that Ghanaian youth can identify with, M.anifest has found an international audience with fans who appreciate his thoughtful, authentic perspective. The Guardian named him "the foremost rapper on the continent," and by listening to his eloquent responses in this interview, it's easy to see how he earned the title.
See full story here: http://www.rapstation.com/videos/29/pepr-meets-manifest
By Michael Lacerna for RAPstation.com
