Zune Social: It was a good friend on Twitter who first turned me on to Manafest's music (Thanks, Josh!). It was Manafest's song "Bounce" that kept me coming back. But, overall, it was Manafest's delivery style and overall musicianship that keeps his stuff on a permanent rotation on my Zune HD. So I was pretty excited to be able to fire off a few quick questions to him about life and music.
If you look up Manafest in the Zune Marketplace, you'll see him listed under Christian music. And it's true: He's managed to combine two seemingly un-combinable genres together, Hip-Hop and Christian music. It's in that same vein that makes people like Kirk Franklin so popular. They are able to share their Faith, but do it in such a way that it even appeals to the younger crowd.
Today, he describes himself as a mash-up of Eminem + Linkin Park and certainly his newest single "No Plan B" demonstrates what that combo would sound like. It's from a forthcoming album, but Inside the Circle is happy to provide the track, free of charge, for our readership.
Before we get to that, however, here's the quick interview between Inside the Circle and Manafest.
Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting? Do you focus on any political themes? If so, please tell us in more detail about them.
I live in Pickering, Ontario Canada..where I live doesn’t really affect the writing too much, I’m tour so often that I’ve learned to write where ever I am. If I had a choice place to write it would be California...No I don’t focus on any political themes, but if I was to lean to one side more it would for peace and stop the war.
What are your main musical influences?
My main influences are the Bible, my wife, other bands/music, and life experiences when I travel.
What was the first album you ever bought?And, as promised, here's the song "No Plan B" from Manafest's forthcoming album "The Chase".To download, I recommend right-click on the file and hit 'save link as...' (or some variation thereof). Enjoy the track.
I’m pretty sure it was Michael Jackson BAD, that was one of my favorite records growing up.
First concert you ever attended?
The first concert I ever attended was EPMD with the Executioners and Rahzael from the Roots. I was totally blow away. Super young just started writing lyrics and had a great time with some friends. It was awesome.
Do you support any specific charities and how do you give back as an artist?
I always go with the saying from my friend from Nomis Design who says “Live to Give”. I support World Vision and my wife and I sponsor a child, and also share about them from stage and ecourage other people to do so. There’s been many people who have given of there time and finance to me which has made a huge impact on my life.. Why can’t I do the same.
Do you actually participate in other social networking sites aside from MySpace?
I use Twitter and Facebook as well, it’s great to be able to connect with the fans directly. Espcecially when the interface is easy to use and can get more done in less time.
How has the explosion of social networks helped you to better connect and communicate with your audience?
It puts millions of people around the globe right in front of me, fans that I was just hanging with in Japan on tour I’m connecting with via the computer now. Posting pictures video has allowed a closer connection with fans which is great.. It’s not about being the super star and this one sided communication.
What advice would you give to an up and coming artist?
Write the best songs you can, tour and build a fan base. Don’t expect anyone to do for you that you haven’t done or aren’t willing to do for yourself.
What's downtime like for you? What do you like to do that's not music-related?
Downtime for me is watching movies, going to the gym, surfing and skateboarding.. I need more of that in my life...
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