+----------------+------------------------------------------+----------------+
| |
| Artist : Manafest |
| Album : Glory |
| Bitrate : VBR kbps |
| |
+-------------------------------[Release Info]-------------------------------+
| |
| Label : BEC Recordings |
| Year : 2006 |
| Genre : Hip-Hop |
| Rip date : Sep-26-2006 |
| Store date : Sep-26-2006 |
| Size : 63,4 MB |
| |
+--------------------------------[Track List]--------------------------------+
| |
|Track Listing: |
| |
| 01 - Don't Turn Away (Featuring Justin Humes) 03:36 |
| 02 - Bounce 03:10 |
| 03 - Runaway 03:18 |
| 04 - Impossible (Featuring Trevor McNevan) 03:58 |
| 05 - Dreams 03:34 |
| 06 - Retro Love 03:19 |
| 07 - Critics (Featuring Promise) 03:36 |
| 08 - Where Are You 05:01 |
| 09 - Wanna Know You 02:58 |
| 10 - Droppin' Hammers 03:29 |
| 11 - Glory (You Are) 03:40 |
| |
| ───── |
| 39:39 min |
| |
+-------------------------------[Release Notes]------------------------------+
| |
| Glory |
| The year is 1998. Chris Greenwood lies in a bed with severe foot |
| injuries from a skateboarding accident. Up to that point in time skating |
| was his life, his passion. But at that moment he was faced with a |
| decision: Would he give into defeat, having lost his lifeÆs dream, or |
| would he find a new purpose for his existence? Having nothing more than |
| a pad, a pen, and a prayer he came to his crossroads with a new sense of |
| courage. |
| |
| ôI closed my eyes and prayed for God to give me new direction in my |
| life. It was a little scary because I didnÆt know what that would be, |
| but I knew that I wanted to be used by the Lord to affect people. I |
| would never completely let go of skateboarding, as I was so heavily |
| involved in that culture. So, I asked heaven for some new way to use my |
| gifts. I began writing lyrics in my bed. When I got well, I had some |
| skateboarding friends who also were heavily into hip-hop culture. |
| Gradually, the doors opened for me to begin pursuing that as a career, |
| while still existing on the fringes of the skate underground. ItÆs been |
| the most amazing answer to prayer...and my existence as an artist is |
| evidence of GodÆs provision.ö |
| |
| Over the course of the next several years he would start over, from |
| scratch, working his way up the hip-hop infrastructure in his hometown |
| of Toronto, Canada. He hit open mics on a weekly basis. He wrote and |
| rewrote lyrics for hours and hours on end. He performed his rhymes on |
| any and all stages. He hung out at skate competitions and parks, |
| starting beat/rhyme circles. And not only did he spit written works, but |
| he began experimenting with freestyle--an on-the-spot, |
| off-the-top-of-the-head application of verse performance only meant for |
| the sharpest of minds. He soon found himself excelling in aspects of his |
| b-boy trade. |
| |
| Manafest--a name signifying the physical manifestation of GodÆs |
| glory--became ChrisÆs name. And what word would be more appropriate for |
| his sophomore release on BEC Recordings? Glory is exactly what he wants |
| to be revealed through every element of his life, and it shows on every |
| moment of this release. And though he made a strong impression on his |
| debut Epiphany, there is little doubt that ManafestÆs sophomore campaign |
| will be his opus. Blending both urban influence with suburban energy, |
| this is a rock-oriented hip-hop record that is an authentic presentation |
| of rock-solid faith amidst uncertainty and trial. |
| |
| ôI wanted to allow all of my influences show on Glory. Musically, I |
| wanted to blend the appeal of Linkin Park, Sum 41, and the Beastie boys. |
| Vocally, I wanted to merge that with popular hip-hop a la Eminem and |
| Kanye West. But beyond musical influence, I wanted to reflect on the |
| issues around me in the most positive way possible. And whether I am |
| talking about the loss of loved ones and abuse, or break-dancing and |
| skate culture, itÆs all for the glory of heaven. In the end, my prayer |
| is that people would not simply bob their heads to this, but feel a very |
| real sense of healing from the words. However, this record is not all |
| serious. Some of my favorite tracks are the most lighthearted ones.ö |
| |
| To aid in the diversity of this release--and it does run the |
| gamut--Manafest spread production duties between Adam Messenger, Chris |
| Stacy, The Brotha Lo Key, here is a blend of production approaches, |
| accentuating the dynamics of each song. The rock moments are heavy and |
| intense, while the hip-hop moments are rhythmic breakthroughs. Manafest |
| has a unique rhyming style that sits somewhere between hardcore and pop; |
| itÆs aggressive without alienating the audience. This is truly an album |
| for many musical tastes, a multicultural cross-pollination of genres. |
| |
| Perhaps the most poignant note of Glory, though, is ManafestÆs desire to |
| remain honest in his approach. He makes it clear that he is not hiding |
| anything, and that he is not here to play the game of the music |
| industry. There is something freeing--infectious even-- about |
| vulnerability, without giving a nod to ego or attitude. On ôCriticsö |
| Manafest addresses the negative attitude in hip-hop surrounding MC |
| battles. Rather than promote tearing down another, even in the spirit of |
| competition, he promotes love in the b-boy community: You can take the |
| glory, IÆm not fake fronting...Your own insecurities is killing ye |
| softly. On ôDreamsö he confesses that hip-hop was not his dream at |
| first, but GodÆs dream for him. And though nay sayers could site this as |
| a reason to question his legitimacy, he is confident that his integrity |
| comes form his testimony: I wasnÆt supposed to be here, compose and flow |
| here. Perform for your ears saying ah yeahÆs. My dream was to skate, |
| Cali calling my name. WhoÆd a thought my foot would break, me limping in |
| pain? Finally, on ôWhere Are You?,ö perhaps the most courageous song on |
| the album, Manafest shares about the loss of his father as a child: |
| WhyÆd you leave me, hanging from the ceiling? Angels stopped singing and |
| momÆs not sleeping. IÆm not bitter or mad, IÆm just missing a dad. |
| Sitting here thinking, praying wishing you back. |
| |
| The first single on the album, ôImpossible,ö a song co-written by |
| Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan, promises to be a |
| rock-radio staple this fall. ItÆs subject matter, true to ManafestÆs |
| form, deals with encouraging healing in children who have been abused at |
| home. His hop-hop single, ôBounceö is a b-boy party anthem which |
| guarantees to make heads bob. As Glory hits multiple formats with itÆs |
| unique nicheÆ in the industry, it will be exciting to watch ManafestÆs |
| sphere of influence grow. |
| |
| He shared the stage with everyone from Thousand Foot Krutch to Skillet |
| to Superchick to Spoken on his freshman campaign, building a solid |
| foundation which promises to grow when Glory drops September 26, 2006. |
| And in the process, Manafest developed quite a reputation for quick-wit |
| and lightning-fast reflexes, displaying rare skill in freestyle. In the |
| year to come, he plans on performing over 200 shows in support of his |
| new release. But despite committing himself to round-the-clock work to |
| further his musical ambitions, he remains focused on his true |
| motivations. |
| |
| ôItÆs hard going on the road and staying connected to God and unless you |
| have a plan you will fall. A new standard needs to be set. WhereÆs the |
| person making hit music who also loves the Lord? I have come too far to |
| get distracted now. Whether I sell ten records or ten million I want |
| everyone to know this: I want to make great music but never compromise |
| who I am in Christ to be successful. I am not doing this for any other |
| reason than for his Glory.ö |
| |
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