M.anifest Pays Nostalgic Homage To Hip Hop In New Single ’50 Years Freestyle’

Ghanaian Hip Hop artist M.anifest takes us on a nostalgic journey with a new freestyle,  titled ’50 Years Freestyle’. 

Referencing Hip Hop icons like 2pac, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G, The Fugees, LL Cool J and  the Wu-Tang Clan to name a few, M.anifest cleverly weaves this ode to a genre that he  himself has come to contribute significantly to. 

A certified wordsmith, his skill allows him to  craft a worthy tribute to Hip Hop’s enduring legacy as it celebrates 50 years. 

From the genre’s origins on Sedgwick Avenue to the influence it’s had in many parts of the  world, spurring genres like Hip Life (Ghana), there’s no patch of Hip Hop uncovered by the  rapper affectionately called ‘the god MC’ by his fans, particularly when viewed through the  lens of his lived experience. 

Whether tipping his hat to Obrafour's classic album 'Pae Mu Ka, or legendary Hip Hop  albums like Kanye West's 'College Dropout' and Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint', he poignantly  comments on a culture that has left an indelible mark from marginalised beginnings. 

The current torchbearers are of course not left out of the MikeMillzOn’Em produced track. J.  Cole, Kendrick Lamar, A-Reece, Black Sherif, and Sampa The Great get honorable mentions  as boundary pushers of the genre, emphatically suggesting that Hip Hop remains a vibrant  and relevant force in contemporary music and perhaps in safe hands.

Listen to ’50 Years Freestyle’ here:

M.anifest's commemoration of the 50th anniversary has gone beyond his music. This year, he has actively engaged in discussions in academia, with an appearance at Howard University as a special guest, where he shared his insights on Hip Hop's evolution from an  African perspective over the past five decades. In July 2023, he was in New York at Global  Cognac giant Hennessy’s invitation, joining a roster of world-renowned rappers to celebrate one of Hip Hop's greats, Nas.