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The Africa Institute hosted the award-winning Ghanaian hip-hop artist and musician, M.anifest to present his latest album titled ‘Madina to The Universe’ (MTTU) as part of a special music performance in the second edition of the scholarly country focused program themed, ‘Global Ghana: Sites of Departure/Sites of Return’ in Africa Hall, Sharjah on March 8, 2022.

The 15-track album is a genre-blending afro-fusion in which M.anifest merges the Ghanaian jama soundscapes he grew up on, with his hip-hop foundations and modern afrobeat sensibilities to create a project that is one-of-one among the current global music landscape. Whether it is ‘Clean And Pure’ with Patoranking or ‘E No Easy’ with Tiggs Da Author or the life-affirming album curtain call ‘Blessings’, M.anifest put together a collection of songs that stands its own as one of the best African albums of the year.

Born in Accra, Ghana, M.anifest is an artist known for lyricism and intriguing sonic hybrids of African popular music and Hip Hop. M.anifest is the grandson of the late Prof. J.H Nketia, one of the leading ethnomusicologists and composers in Africa. His grandfather’s dedication, passion and commitment to composing music had a profound impact on M.anifest, and is a source of inspiration in the ways M.anifest crafts his particular blend of music. M.anifest’s vision is to humanize Africans and the wider Diaspora, often bringing characters and stories from the margins into focus. His music is layered: emotionally evocative, dope and modern.  He has been a consistent and evolving force in the African popular music scene with an impressive list of global collaborators such as Burna Boy, Vic Mensa, Tiggs Da Author, Simi, Erykah Badu, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Kojey Radical, Juls, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Tony Allen and more. His fifth full length album, Madina To The Universe (MTTU) set for release in November 2021 and we had the honour of hosting M.anifest and the band as part the multi-disciplinary conference focused on Ghana.

M.anifest was accompanied by band members: Lilian Lanquaye Tetteh  (Vocalist), Obed Ntow Otchere (Keyboards), Derick Oladipupo Fagbohun (DJ/MD), Ebenezer Oware (Guitarist), Calvin Clifford Gyasi (Violinist), Theophilus Nana Kaye (Percussionist/Drummer), Derrick Akoto Lamtey (Bassist), Henry Desouza Nelson (Sound Engineer) and Fui Tsikata (Band Manager).

The Africa Institute hosted the award-winning Ghanaian hip-hop artist and musician, M.anifest to present his latest album titled ‘Madina to The Universe’ (MTTU) as part of a special music performance in the second edition of the scholarly country focused program themed, ‘Global Ghana: Sites of Departure/Sites of Return’ in Africa Hall, Sharjah on March 8, 2022.

The Africa Institute hosted the award-winning Ghanaian hip-hop artist and musician, M.anifest to present his latest album titled ‘Madina to The Universe’ (MTTU) as part of a special music performance in the second edition of the scholarly country focused program themed, ‘Global Ghana: Sites of Departure/Sites of Return’ in Africa Hall, Sharjah on March 8, 2022.

The 15-track album is a genre-blending afro-fusion in which M.anifest merges the Ghanaian jama soundscapes he grew up on, with his hip-hop foundations and modern afrobeat sensibilities to create a project that is one-of-one among the current global music landscape. Whether it is ‘Clean And Pure’ with Patoranking or ‘E No Easy’ with Tiggs Da Author or the life-affirming album curtain call ‘Blessings’, M.anifest put together a collection of songs that stands its own as one of the best African albums of the year.

Born in Accra, Ghana, M.anifest is an artist known for lyricism and intriguing sonic hybrids of African popular music and Hip Hop. M.anifest is the grandson of the late Prof. J.H Nketia, one of the leading ethnomusicologists and composers in Africa. His grandfather’s dedication, passion and commitment to composing music had a profound impact on M.anifest, and is a source of inspiration in the ways M.anifest crafts his particular blend of music. M.anifest’s vision is to humanize Africans and the wider Diaspora, often bringing characters and stories from the margins into focus. His music is layered: emotionally evocative, dope and modern.  He has been a consistent and evolving force in the African popular music scene with an impressive list of global collaborators such as Burna Boy, Vic Mensa, Tiggs Da Author, Simi, Erykah Badu, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Kojey Radical, Juls, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Tony Allen and more. His fifth full length album, Madina To The Universe (MTTU) set for release in November 2021 and we had the honour of hosting M.anifest and the band as part the multi-disciplinary conference focused on Ghana.

M.anifest was accompanied by band members: Lilian Lanquaye Tetteh  (Vocalist), Obed Ntow Otchere (Keyboards), Derick Oladipupo Fagbohun (DJ/MD), Ebenezer Oware (Guitarist), Calvin Clifford Gyasi (Violinist), Theophilus Nana Kaye (Percussionist/Drummer), Derrick Akoto Lamtey (Bassist), Henry Desouza Nelson (Sound Engineer) and Fui Tsikata (Band Manager).

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