about

M.anifest is an award-winning Ghanaian rapper and musician known for musical boundary crossing, multilingual wordplay, and a refreshing approach that acknowledges both his Ghanaian upbringing and his sojourns in the West.

His originality and versatility have earned him collaborations with musical giants such as Burna Boy, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Tiggs Da Author, Erykah Badu, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Tony Allen.

His next EP, The Gamble due in November 2019 is a reflection on the chances we take in love and life. On The Gamble, M.anifest opens up and muses on numerous encounters with love and risks over an alluring sonic bed of Hip-Hop and Afrobeats blended seamlessly together.

Born in Accra, Ghana as Kwame Tsikata, M.anifest is the grandson of the late Prof. J.H Nketia, one of the leading ethnomusicologists and composers in Africa. M.anifest went to college in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, where he cut his professional musical teeth. Upon his return to Ghana in 2011, his unapologetically modern African musical identity quickly brought a notoriety across Africa.

Over the years, M.anifest has been involved in various projects and tours. He was prominently featured on five songs on the Rocket Juice & the Moon album that was a collaborative effort from Tony Allen, Damon Albarn and Flea. He has also released four formidable solo efforts and was named by the Guardian (U.K) as the foremost rapper on the continent.

M.anifest’s creativity and entrepreneurial bent has also meant that he is a much sought after public speaker. He is a co-founder of Culture Forward; a new space and fund committed to making bets and growing progressive creative projects.  He has had artist residencies and given lectures in St Lawrence University (NY), University of Ghana, and spoken to several classes in Hamline University, Macalester College (his Alma Mater), Penumbra Theatre’s Summer Arts institute, and Ashesi University to name a few.