M.anifest unveils new album ‘NEW ROAD & GUAVA TREES’ via Mass Appeal

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Award-winning Ghanaian musician and Africa’s most innovative hip-hop artist M.ANIFEST unveils his sixth studio album NEW ROAD & GUAVA TREES. The fourteen-track project is a testament to M.anifest’s forward-thinking, culturally relevant and socially conscious storytelling. Always the one to shine a light on his Ghanaian heritage and West African roots, M.anifest crafts a well-rounded body of work that blends Hip-Hop, Afropop and Highlife with a touch of experimentation and progressiveness. Also coming along for the ride include a range of collaborators from Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, The Cavemen, King Promise, A-Reece, and Bien from Sauti Sol.

The album’s title references M.anifest’s childhood in Madina, Ghana and the concept of new beginnings. This is underscored by the themes of struggles, self-discovery and the doggedness in facing life’s challenges. The project opens with the anthemic ‘Time Catch”, a triumphant call to action, symbolizing the urgency of seizing the moment, and is followed by tracks like “Eye Red” which gives an unapologetic depiction of youth desperation amid systemic failures, while “Wine And Blues” paints a vivid picture of navigating life’s challenges with strength and grace. The album’s lead single “Puff Puff”, featuring The Cavemen. and Red Hot Chili Peppers legend Flea, blends hip-hop, jazz, and highlife to deliver a soulful anthem on the resilience we need to navigate life’s many challenges.

There is still much to unpack as the project goes further with a soothing summer anthem “Spirit Riddim” whose breezy vibes remind us of the good times during the warmer seasons. The following tracks “My God,” “Ease My Mind” and “Hang My Boots” featuring King Promise all center around a love theme. “My God” explores the emotional trauma sprouting from tortured devotion, “Ease My Mind” celebrates the natural flow of imperfect love while “Hang My Boots” serves as a heartfelt anthem of love and commitment that celebrates leaving the chaos behind. The final track “Second Hand” dives into life’s cyclical nature and helps bring the project to a reflective close.

I must add that through this captivating collection, and resonant body of work, M.anifest reaffirms his status as Africa’s most innovative hip-hop artist.