MANNYWELLZ on his immigration struggles, his music vs. AFROBEATS, and what it takes to make your dreams a reality - AITL S2 EP 30

Welcome to a My To Allow the Podcast. Guys, welcome back to a My To Allow the Podcast with Sophie aka the Motherfking Audity. Guys, My To Allow is on the road as always. I am so grateful that you guys have been tuning in. All the past episodes have been so special. And it's crazy because I'm in the UK and you would think my first guest in the UK would be someone who is from the UK. But how is it that my first guest is none other than my twin flame himself, Mr. Ula-la, my nefking what? Yeah. Hey, what's up? We just saw each other like a couple of days ago. And I feel like people now know that we're really close, but I don't think like it was a thing we talked about for a really long time. But shout out to my first one and say that. Mani is literally the most supportive human in the entire world. I mean, like every time we talk, the commercials we have, the way like we just bant up back and forth, like this means a lot to me. I love having friends like fking money. He's super super fking talented. And you guys are going to see that in this episode, but I wanted to give you your props first. I was going to buy in flowers, but you know what? I'll buy flowers later because I got to give you your flowers. Your talent is unmatched. He just did a sold out show in London a few days ago. My friends are just, my friends are big people guys. And that's why I have to be a big person. Like I need, my friends have to be saying, oh, whose privilege are we taking? Ooh. That's the flag on. Yeah. We do. Okay, wait. Let's do thumbs. Let's just touch our thumbs first. And then like chop knuckle. So doom, doom. Too much. You know, okay, okay. We'll figure it outside the camera. Yeah. Oh, yeah. We're gonna be like pretend. Wait, let's do like, let's do like, so like this. Boom. Boom. Boom. Hmm. What? I'm trying to think which one would be cool. What do you usually do? Oh, you do the thing. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Let's do boom, boom. Yeah. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine. Okay. So I won't forget. I won't forget. I won't forget. I won't forget. Okay. We're gonna start the episode because if not me, I might be able to talk and continue yapping forever. I actually have a whole no of things we're going to talk about. And for some reason, I'm like nervous. Why? I don't know. Cause I feel like this is like a show. Yeah. Well, like you never talk on camera the way like we talk in person. Like a cool kid. Ha, ha, ha. Like you I swear I said my name is like the money was. I know money used to yell money is it weary? Boy, money on camera like the money was y'all know is like. I'll be chilling. You'd be like, what's up guys? I'll be chilling. I'll be chilling. I'll be chilling. I'll be chilling. All right. Sure. Okay. Money Wells. Was perfect. Every artist. Yeah. You didn't notice? Are you a brother? We're very official. I don't know. No, it's my iPod. It's not me that's what's today's. Hey, boy. You know, sticker. I don't. Oh my gosh, do stickers. Yeah. Yeah, we're going to do stickers. Okay. But every artist has a this is it moment. What was that moment for you? When you first was like, holy shit. I'm talented. I know what I'm doing. It could be when you're like two years old. It could be when you're like big. Like, what was that for you? Oh, the first beat I made. Really? Yeah, I thought I was. You remember? Yeah, it's on Facebook. Really? Okay, we're going to check it out. We're going to try to say. I thought I was going to blow. I thought I was going to blow right there. I thought I was sending it to Ryan Leslie and who was hot then? Fabulous. Oh, whatever. I thought they'll use it. I'm not becoming it because producer. Really? Yeah. What? That's what I realized. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. It doesn't look like that. Like, you're Watch 0 Um. My name is manuals. My name is My mom is from is over from over and Say what to buy I just give them background Yeah, it's a little bit to be exact for my dad I don't know I just like making music yeah, yeah, I like I like creating I like Ideating even beyond music. I like Problem solving I Like figuring out solutions to random things Um, I don't know. I just look at things and I'm like, huh like what if this could be sold or how do you sell this or is it an event? Is it a shoe? Is it a drink? I? Like things like that and I don't know so that's a good question. No, but that's like that Um, but not I also use that same I have that same mindset when I create music. Yeah, so When I make music I'm making music for people's souls. I'm not just like I'm not making music to blow up Yeah, I'm like, okay, if I write this this way Even when it just flows. I'm not like overthinking things. I'm like, okay, does it touch people does it make somebody the next person feel something? so That's me you know what's crazy when you're talking I feel like when people hear money wells I think they go straight to the artist himself Why wish they like had a sneak peek into your head like just to understand like the crazy creativity that comes from it Like all your shit is you Yeah, like every time I talk about like oh, you're creating this you're dressing up like this. You're doing this You have the blueprint you are the blueprint. Yeah every video you put out every idea every look every theme Like it's you actually being a creative. Yeah, so at the core of it when I mean speak to you You brain is always moving like you're thinking of the next idea and the next big thing Yeah, and your money has such really dope ideas. That's even outside of music Yeah, I can't wait to like give and see manifest so props to you because you really are like the quintessential creative like that Creative nerd who just like nerds out over like creative shit all the freaking time Like even when I got in here like I just know that I asked you Did you read green on purpose like I just I don't know I just my mind is always moving like why is the colors? You know, I don't know. That's what we march. Yeah, yeah, like we see it. We do it You like it was the thing Okay, but I appreciate it. So how did we fucking me? I? Wanted to do a video. No, no, I can't remember what lie. I think I Think it was a concert. I wanted to do a video Then I saw you at the concert and I was telling my friend. Oh, I think she's being a video They remember when you came to a beef house and we did the video But it never came out. No, I don't remember that I swear to remember that because I thought it was at What's this place? Why don't think that's true in my head was I lost in ridden No I asked the only like early memory I have I can't because it was in DC Lots of rhythm was in was not DC. No, I mean like it was in DC that we met. Yeah, it was a Howard What you I think Bucala yeah, is that edges show? In my B.A.G. Yeah, I think it might be it might be it might be it might be a theater a long time ago A.G. Is a decoy gold by the way guys. Oh, yeah, sorry Shut up, I think they go. Yeah, I really can't remember. Yeah, I wanted to do a video because we were I wanted to do a video and we were like yo, what if we shot this video with the iPhone who we gonna have in it? Was that bald? Yeah, I was I was I was I was I was like skinned bald. I mean was post-2020 Not and maybe not No, it was right before the pandemic You guys like I'm like the entire time when I was me and Donald were working on this I kept trying to remember how we met and I just couldn't remember it and I still don't I think we're gonna Do the work because I can't be screwed all the way back. Yeah, I was about to say where's my phone But after that we did the video I didn't like it. We were like yeah, I don't know if this iPhone stuff is gonna work right now Yeah, now we forget it. I was the iPhone is a better That was that it was crazy, but I've been a theme. We've been like a kind of trend like a trend set of types. Yeah Yeah, that's true. That's true. Okay, so where did money wells come from because when I heard this to be no offense and I had this great story Oh god nice you know But I had this damn story I was like So many lilies that brought yeah, don't ever say that in public and now you go ask me Because I genuinely wanted to know I think it was like a few years ago Yeah, I never I was like wait, I mean, he told me I said bro So I'm gonna have you guys comment what you think my new walls is firm because his first thing is the manual So I'm gonna keep it as the tip the tip the tip what is it the tip I'm giving you all is the the hints There we go. Yeah hint is his name is Emmanuel and his right now his name is Manuel So what do you think or how do you think I'm going to tell them the truth I'm going to lie Money was money wells is it twist on Emmanuel That's the Let me know what you guys think is from we're gonna like see the comments especially on TikTok We'll see what people come up with because that was insane. Okay, no, but why would you ask me because I Don't say Well, let them let them really say don't say but I was like damn That's why it's suck It was like it was someone tells you something and you're really like nigger never So cool to like oh, yeah, I keep a block No, it's like I was like you're dead kind of sucks. Okay. I know you need friends will tell you Yeah, yeah, it wasn't gonna lie to you pretender Okay, so you mentioned your mom being from a war and you dad me from Nigeria But you live in America and anyone who knows you knows your story about around immigration I I know your fucking story right immigration. We back. I think we've been bonded over that shit Yeah, we first got to talking so how did you go from like just tell me what DACA is for us Well if no one if you listen, you don't know what DACA is my name is a huge proponent for that Yeah, and just like what the like as an immigrant to like as an immigrant who's a creative And one of people with my deems also like I want to be an artist. I want to be a creator bomb an immigrant I'm coming to school here. I'm doing this. How can I do it? And I'm looking at them like it's not an easy fucking road. It's not it's not as simple as one two three So tell us what DACA is first tell us like what your story behind that is how did you get there? Yeah, so DACA is for it means The first action for childhood Arrivals. Oh Yeah, oh DACA So it's pretty much if you got into the United States at a certain age before a certain time They would grant you They would let you stay and work in America and if you needed to travel for work On a high level they would grant they would let you get advanced parole to travel and come back to the United States. Okay Yeah, so In 20 was like and it was by Obama Obama created this program So then our brother That brother will he will sell me name is And then he he pretty when he became when the guy became president of first he took it off So you already know that means that means everybody's in limbo everybody's scared like nobody and how many people are on DACA Do you know like it was 600,000 plus. Okay. Yeah, there's a lot of people yeah, like young old kids all of it All big old is is probably 30. Oh shoot. Okay Oh, this is probably 92. Okay. Okay. Okay. If you're born like 92 at the or 91 Yeah, but they didn't They still limited it the program to like a certain like age group and thank God my sister now We fell into that category. Yeah, and Yeah, so that allowed me to stay in in America Work try to make money because prior to that program When I was going to school. I was paying international fees And you were born and what what H. Did you go to America? No? Yeah, so I was paying international fees and we couldn't afford it. So one class is probably like five racks Yeah What yeah One class is five racks. So I took one class Buddy, please that was the reason Why other people were going to like even PG PG's community college when people going to PG communal college they were charging us that amount like okay Take two classes God is good man. I don't even know how like How I made it through I didn't finish though. I didn't finish school. I dropped out. Yeah, and um, but shout out to DACA Because that's what allowed me to just chase my dream chase my dreams. Yeah, and now We're here where the audience is big enough for me to travel so even before I travel I have to say hey guys I have a show and they sure has to sell out before I can even really go to them. Yeah, like if this If the learning show wasn't so that they probably wouldn't even let me go They won't give me the advance parole. What was the feel because like for context guys DACA and just for a lot of people who are listening who are like oh immigrants tend to have a lot of questions But the idea is like for someone like me when I came to America I came through school So they're different routes which you can get into the country But this is also for kids whose parents were trying to get a better life So maybe like you you parents got a visa or they got a stable like you kids couldn't But they just like fucking like I need my kids with me. Let's just go It's a lot of for those kids. I mean like from all across the world And so you're literally talking about kids who the only thing they've known is the American life yeah like If anyone who does DACA can go back home They kind of know it's because there's no life for them at home because home is America yeah in a sense So I think that's one thing I want to draw a parallel to but as you're saying like it's crazy when you talk about Immigration in this way because I guess scared to talk about it Immigration and like Because I feel like it's like an unspoken thing within our community Yeah, like oh don'ts because even when you talk about seeing your show, I guess so nervous For you and I've never told you this before really like whenever you're so vocal at the show of like I wasn't supposed to come here by immediate and might I'm like Why are we talking about this? But I think that's what a lot of our community does with immigration No one knows if you have like when I talk about my green card the amount of comments and questions I got of Why are you talking about see you don't have a passport yet? What's your problem? Don't let the enemy see it or don't let the immigration people see it or okay Maybe I wasn't coming in someone was like doing travel literally at the early air like that. Yeah I was just like oh you have a green card. You should never not be traveling in this moment I remember I telling her like but everything is set but in a world where there are no rules anymore How do you still choose to chase your passion because that's what you're doing yeah like despite everything You're not letting fear stop you yeah from doing what you want to do like even when you were traveling I was like money what the fuck like just stay inside Like when you're going to Nigeria the first time Yeah, y'all I swear if you heard our conversations after I go to the first set a little popcorn I literally was like this boy needs to just sit as an America and no goes to Nigeria And you went and go back and you killed it. You enjoyed the tour like it was great So how do you get past that fear do you just have audacity? I just have audacity. I'm just like honest got for big got for big got for big god for big if they say I can come back to America That's what I tell them all the time That's what I say you go you think that's gonna stop me from making music from being creative Like it's gonna get so big America will beg me to come back That's just how I look at it. It's gonna add to the story I don't want it to happen though I built a lot of America so please let me back But let's go inside. I just have audacity is like man whatever happens happen But also even as I have audacity, I still try to be wise like I'm not just gonna leave without Advanced parole to be able to come back and things like that But man just have audacity just Having audacity is why I'm I'm about to get And to I'm about to be fully situated legally in America. Yeah You know, like Question in his career. Okay, we're gonna actually help him and let him stay in the country lead fully permanent residents other stuff Not any other way, but because I had the audacity to chase my dreams and as I was doing that I became Exceptional. Yeah, and being exceptional gets rewarded all the time Every time like you might not see it, but if you chase being exceptional in what you do even if you're just Doing it painting. Yeah, you know, so and then I don't know I feel like black people black people in general black immigrants Our parents just instill this fear in us to be silent But if you look at the my Hispanic brothers and sisters Oh my daddy ones that are going to march to the ones that are going out there That's what that's what I have like this love and respect for like that community because I really got to admire their strength and their fear I mean and their in their courage That doesn't mean they're they're not scared too There'd be a lot of them outside with no people as nothing, but they're marching they're Speaking up. They're going to these supreme court meetings. Yeah, all those things like that and I just want to say shout out to them because that also puts some courage in me And so whenever they have something I go out whenever I'm doing something I invite them to pop up now Just feel like those are like my exactly so Yeah, I love that I feel like When you say audacity, what does it mean then to have audacity in Atlanta's not your own because like I'm not deep it whenever I say like oh, they don't let me back in I will be successful in Nigeria It's because I know that like my people will always write for me So like what does it order to look like to chase your dreams in America specifically because what we're doing right now is hot Yeah Meetings with people like I've made you've gone to these big boss meetings We've talked to white people. We've done all these things like we mingle and assimilate into this culture That isn't for us to begin with yeah, and like you talk about audacity But what is it what how hard has it been or how easy has it been to chase your dream and technically what is like no man's land Well, no, you're landed. Yeah, it's definitely not easy, but I like This stuff is so hard But I just love creating so much like I would create for free We just have been to be making money around it and wise enough to create systems and businesses, but I don't know I tell people like if I didn't love creating Music I wouldn't be an entertainment because these people are crazy. Yeah, and there some of these people are actually bad people with terrible energy Yeah, go go cleanse their heart Yeah, I love you watching right now. Go do with all of you But I share But like No, I think it's it's really just the grace of God to be like, you know, I'm just gonna I'm just gonna make the next song, but I didn't the last song. Yeah, for me it's like I'm enjoying the process of creating You are you are that's Making this song making the video making and then it comes out and then people lay it sweet And even when people don't like it, it's still sweet because you could take lessons and be like, oh, okay, they didn't connect with this Yeah, like I like that. I like that. Okay, so you're talking about this things now, but you said or does it see? Have you ever wanted to quit at any point? Honestly, I mean Yeah, yeah, I don't really remember those moments because I don't think I I'll ever quit making music I'll never quit creating never ever. No, let me point it out I think it was one time you called me before you hits the big three oh We had a conversation where you were like you've been doing the shift for 10 years You were down bad. Yeah, and if that was that was a spirit of time I'd never heard you speak that way about being exhausted about the process And you genuinely just felt like you were grinding grinding grinding and just wasn't coming to fruition Yeah, I think I don't know if it was right after that that Shockley's on caramel came out or yeah, and I was just like look at this man Like look at like look at the way like go just give you a reminder of like Not a nigga you're meant to do this shit. Yeah, calm down relax like taking a stride because the path you're on is going to be so different But that's what's gonna make it worthwhile. So I remember that moment I remember seeing even when I was thinking of quitting too I just I remember things like that when our conversations of like even when we're so frustrated if we want to quit The talent in you and in us is so special to us. Yeah, we're oftentimes reminded of our talent when we needed the most yeah Not I think I remember that I was just like damn, bro But there was even through that I just I was just like I'm still gonna keep creating, but right now I don't even know what to chase anymore, you know, so Looking for God and all these other records happening after that. I was like oh snap. Okay And the crazy things that I already had those songs. Yeah, the songs are already made. I never understood that about you guys artists Yeah, like song will come out three years. It's under oh, I mean the three years before and it's blowing up now like the mental The way you how would you like how do you know that that like the taste like is it like you're leading the charge for the change Like I don't get it like how is it that song you were three years ago is now Creating doing well in 2026 for the energy is different the people are different. They're grown But for some reason music is that way just like it lives through everything. I don't know. I don't know. It's pretty cool. Yeah, I think I think that's what separates Good artists and great artists like having audacity and When you create a song Is it going to stand the test of time? Yeah, is this like no matter what happens You're gonna think about looking looking for God is never going to get old Even when we're old. Yeah, it's going to but then There's other songs that it's just for the moment. Mm-hmm. That's true You know, so that's how you like you can make a song that you release a year later two years later three years later Or you make a song that doesn't blow up for five ten years. I know in the blues. I feel like what they hear. Yeah What the hell is guys? I don't know man. That's what separates good Great artists and also sometimes it's just luck. Yeah, listen. There's some things that you can't control But I think I'm in a place where like I focus on what I can control But I know there's a lot I can control. Yeah, especially like social media like yeah So we will talk about that because we're just a huge factor. Yeah, we've been talking deeper And I'm gonna get to like some fun part Okay, what's the trend or a sound in music or Afrobeat? So no Afrobeat first of all Why would you describe your sound as because I know it's not Afrobeat so So yeah, not Afro so not hip-hop artists Talk about this because I feel like everybody wants african artists to always talk like have afro in front of their thing Like if you're african then you're afro so come like so it's beyond say afro pop because she's black Or is it just like she's not from the continent? So that's why she's not pop. You know, I mean like it's Taylor Swift The pop artist is ira star and Afro pop artists because she's african Is it because the beats she uses in her style is Tyler and Afro because I tell her she's not my piano or Afro beats You know, I mean, so like what are your thoughts on that? This is not even my questions when I'm curious Wow I just give it a lot right now me. I make Music from the soul for the soul so that that can go What the fuck is that man make music 44 by the soul was that that's the truth now I'm listening so I make music from the soul for the soul and I can take that to anything so if it's like R&B so okay, we can do that if it's country boom boom boom if it's Afrobeat there's still inside there so I don't know everything I do is just From the soul. Yeah, and so why not just call it soul music soulful music So you know Afro hip life Geez, but if you I mean that's all like a cool genre, don't know. No, it's no. I don't know what that is I just made that up. Yeah, but what's somebody take it? Period, y'all should it be like it is I don't know Afro hip life. I'm thinking Afro hip life is like old evil music That's like so Okay, so did you know that train? Did you know what this is? Yeah, it's about You know, no Yeah, it was on my effort people for like a long time. So there was this there's a gospel song by um, what's his name uh Nathaniel Bassy yeah, Nathaniel Bassy right? Yeah, Nathaniel Bassy he released a song and then this other guy that goes to like Uh white garment shout out to him he um He remixes it I've never I don't want to see this thing. I'm gonna put it on we got we got a shirt And then he's just vibing out and then you know he does this thing and people react to it And then it goes viral but the way he sang it was just Yeah, it was Okay, so what's a trend or a sound in music then that it doesn't sit right with you. Ah a trend maybe I respect everything You cannot give me Oh my god wait is this giving like you know when like people come when like interview shows Yeah I hate that music now has to be Good music has to be tick-tockified You know what I mean? I think like We're losing such great artists because everybody's trying to join the right race of blowing up on tiktok the same app that is going to be leaving Instagram now be leaving the app store now is turning into something else because you know the tick and tick talk away next year So like I hate that now for most people every artist's first step is how can I create a dance on tiktok To the song like the song but not being able to be danceable But they're going to try to find whether it's like a uh Uh or two step or something because like Now artists are trying because like your label labels would say like hey you need to make a sound He needs to make this on tiktok he needs to post on tiktok you all these things And I've even heard your frustration sometimes about having to deal with social media Yeah, tiktok to sell so what are your thoughts on that? Um, I actually appreciate tiktok Really? I know you do because you use it Because I use it and I know how to use it And I know what it's for. Yeah, I know that when I create music I'm not thinking about tiktok. Yeah, I'm I'm thinking about how do I make music that's going to touch people All the time, but here's the thing tiktok is filled with people and if you make Good music It's going to touch the right group of people on tiktok It's not touching the right group of people on tiktok. Maybe the music is not good And maybe you need to go make better songs Before you start chasing the tiktok stuff if you're chasing the tiktok stuff You're just you're gonna be frustrated. Yeah, like you're not You're not gonna find any movement. So But it's just a it's just a different game before tiktok We were handing out mixtape would you rather sit at home make videos or be outside person out CDs Begging people to give you a record deal like artists need to stop complaining and get up And get the work. Make it also No, it's crazy. You see that and I think about it now for me It's like as a creative. Yeah, like when a new app comes and people are like oh, I can't do another app. Why why not? Like that's your job your literal job It's social media marketing if it's another app you can't complain I say there's too many apps if you want to reach the highest level of people. Yeah, you join like it's not necessarily joined the bandwagon But create a space for yourself every single way you can Yeah, we talk about this a lot when I'm always trying to get everyone to join snapchat because I think snapchat is as being here for such a long time It's always here to stay and I hear so many people like oh, I thought snapchat's for young people. That's the audience to Like that's an untapped audience and young people are always gonna be young like you always like cycle out You're always gonna have kids using apps like that. So you always want to be in the mix in that way. So yeah Yeah, I had another thought that I just try What's going here? I interrupt people. No, no, no, you didn't interrupt her with let me get Let me get two seconds. We're talking about music and creative TikTok Is this ADHD to Maybe Ah, no, that's why Umawa Okay, so we're talking about artists stop being lazy It's okay. We'll find it. Yeah, we'll find it. Okay. Is there a song you made that you look he didn't like where everyone loved where loves No, but I wish people would appreciate the actual chorus for ui Which is my brown skin girl love the straightness of your curls biggie body shot a tall little one you trumped them all like that is so too No, everything's check the lake. I mean That's I'm not gonna It's great. I wrote it. Yeah, but like but I'm praising like I'm help. I'm trying to get Beautiful black women to appreciate I love the straightness of your curls. What did you do to folks? Did you mean but us? I would just this is a play on what I'd say I love it if you have straight hair. I love you if you have curly hair kinky and that's what I was trying to So you're just like all women luck Everybody's welcome in a my God loves everybody. Oh, children of God Um, we just needed to make a song that Celebrates that celebrates black women. Yeah everywhere everywhere every type of black women. Yeah, everywhere in the world I love that. Okay. Give us one hot take that will probably get you kicked out of like the group chat Wait, how many group shots are you in? I don't know, but not too much. I'm gonna group shot with you We need to have more friends together than mine. Yeah, but we don't. I feel like we're very like individual friends. Yeah, we know people But we're not like group people. That's true. Yeah, it's just saying Huh, who's group chat when I think about what's a hot take There's one group chat I want to get out of Because the the boys revisions like that. I mean, I don't like seeing rubbish. Yeah Um Hmm, okay with that group chat in mind. What's a hot take that will get me kicked out You guys need to follow Jesus in that group chat Yeah, it will get me kicked out really if you say that Yeah, because they know that kind of Crazy stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you feel like your spiritual because I know like you're very religious At least you're Christian. Do you think your spirituality has a role to play your music? Because I would also say you make sexy music Right, but also it feels like you're like that line is that line is very Like you don't want to hear because like your recent song now is holy father But you know since you're self-tied. It's great. No sense shot. What is it you say after it's very like how did it? What is it? How? How could you make someone this far? You know, I mean it's like only father. I'm like Oh my god, I get into something and I just see I feel fine. So I know you're still like praising Yeah fine beautiful black women. Yeah, so how do you tow that line of still being like I don't know I don't even want to explain what that is, but I like it Yeah, I mean, I don't know. I think I've just spent enough time with my craft to like On the I spent enough time with God first to understand that line and Now I've also spent enough time with my craft to know that these two things could come together. Yeah, and you could First of all, please God Um, and help people like Like these songs actually like help people from suicide. Like looking for God. That was crazy Like so like whole suicides. Yeah, have been stopped by the grace of God And that forever blows my mind People think like it has to be a gospel or some super religious song to like no just tell us in my that They're loved and appreciated stops them from doing a lot of shit. Yeah, yeah, so Um, I make romantic music Um, romantic soul music. Yeah Well, yeah, yeah, no, because I think one of my favorite songs from you is still philosophy Wow, days. I'm telling like that album was gonna repeat Yeah, and I will just go over again. I literally wrote down every time see how see and hey So if that's the kidney how do you think we met after the pandemic that's 2019? Uh-huh. Oh, you know me my whole face money. Yeah. Oh, okay Wait, hold a hole Yeah Okay So you are an artist and I think one of my dreams is to get to a point where I have artists on my show And so like I like to tell you like when you were going to move first artists I'll ever have my show because I love music And I also love like the kind of music we create from the continent. So what there's a lot of conversation around like Afro beats just black creatives of like that connection with the diaspora and back home And I think you do so well like sold out show in London sold out shows in America sold out shows in Nigeria Like for you know, we're going because if not for our DACA. Oh my gosh Well, like money wells would be in Jamaica South Africa, Morocco. I don't India It's coming though. It's coming. Like I know how far and how big and how much more you can even do Yeah, based on even the limitations you have right now So like first of all, we're just giving you flowers and props for that But what are like your top three inspirations like as an artist and as a human that keeps you like going I Like you think about it for a talk. I appreciate it. Yeah I family Yeah, that's good Family is really important to me and just trying to help them Achieving my dreams and goals isn't just a selfish thing. It's a One I'm helping people that I listen so family the listeners and God because Do God God is where I get the inspiration from God is what God is like the source of everything then families What keeps me going like oh, I'm chasing this because if I if a door opens now The experience to financial breakthroughs that I have could potentially help my siblings my brother my sister or whatever And then also the music I'm creating is what is gonna help people go through life like I want to I want I make life music When I'm creating music, it's like I want my music. I want you to do life with my music. Yeah, so Yeah, those are like the three things. So like based on that now, right? I wouldn't be a bit messy I see a lot of young people and just people who even just they hit that startup and The sense of get lost You've lived in L.A. You've lived in Maryland You've been to New York you've traveled in terms of like just even seen a lot I know you've seen the law. We have conversations. You've seen a lot of shit Are those the inspirations as to why like you're like right now like when you show your dad was there Yeah, and he was like so proud of you. I mean your brother is here like you're supporting like you Your family's so big phrase that the reason why you've not changed you've not sort of like because that is like as an artist to be successful You have to sell your soul to the devil Right, so like what is your take on that and like to an attribution not to your success not because there's a lot of big artists now in that You're like your son is shifted. Yeah, it's very reason why going hollywood going to L.A. How's that shifted your perception and a lot of things within the industry Yeah, I but I don't know I think Family definitely keeps me grounded for sure my family my friends like even though like you and I even though we're doing this thing. I feel like We just look at this craziness as nonsense Yeah, so we and we talk about it all the time So like selling myself is not cool to me. Yeah, it's just not cool. I don't want it that bad. I even told guy recently like if um If becoming This bigger artist takes me away from you. I don't want it. I do not want to be known Just yeah, I don't want it. That's how much I'd prefer To be with God then all of these things happen and I feel like because I have that heart God just keeps Adding a little bit more a little bit more a little bit more and he's not He's I feel like God is hasn't given me everything Because I'm not ready for everything Even though I might feel like I am so this level is what he feels like I'm ready to have and so when the next thing happens He he feels like I'm ready for that place. So selling myself. Oh, that's cool. He's not cool It's not cool, but he's negative Yeah, these niggas while in brother. Yeah, I'm doing some weird Can I say shit? Yeah Yeah, I do some weird shit, but I stop but to each his own. I'm not I feel like I'm I'm supposed to be in this space to be a light and it's not easy, but I'm sure here Yeah, dream collab Dream collab might happen today way really Just Yeah, no, I swear to god you know how much that you know how much who What You know how much yeah, that's my favorite that's my favorite No, they don't know me they might they know me then they know it no like I then by the time I don't by the time they hear it It's already done. So it's okay. No, we're not gonna tell them who it is. So they wouldn't even if they know you they wouldn't Confirm or whatever okay money. I will pass out. Yeah, let's lick them for me I just want to be in the present. Sorry. I'm geeking out guys. Oh my day Okay, that's fire. Okay. Yeah. All right. What? Oh shit, man You can't even get the Christmas. Oh my days. Who's some fucking hell? Okay Who are some underrated or upcoming voices your accessory right now? Oh I wish I could feel my heart beating right now. Oh, I don't know. I don't even think they're underrated You know McGee Oh, man, McGee is so hard. McGee. I'm gonna try to put it Yeah, yeah McGee is tough. Yeah, it's McGee African no or your boy. Oh your boy. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, when America Yeah, oh period. Okay. King Madi. Ah, yeah They're cool. They're cool. They're cool. They're cool. They're cool. They're cool. They're cool. King Madi's king Madi's the future. I was securing It doesn't seem like the logical pronunciation for that. Queuing Maddie. That's all I always said. Queuing. And I was like, what was she named for? Queuing Maddie. Also, I was watching a radio interview and she was like, oh, I said who's the king. Like, oh, the king. But please, it's queuing. I'm not the only one who thought that, guys. Yeah. You guys thought it was king too. Thank you. Because you thought it was queuing? I just saw it and I just knew it was king and they just had a different take on pronouncing king. But like, she's a woman. She's a way. I made like, I swear, what the logical direction to that is queuing. That's great on her team that I heard for that name. That's a fine thing. That's a fine thing. Oh, I was going to ask you like, anyone you're dying to work with, what you already told me. That's just I'm still in my head for it. I think, I think the dead are alive too. Wiz would be dope. Is that who it is? No, really. Yeah. Wiz would be dope and Bar Marley would be. Bar Marley would be nice. Oh, and Lauren Hill. Oh, that's. But we did the show together, so that's dope. Yeah, that's the opportunity right there. Is there a venue that you would want to perform at, that's like your dream venue that you know the like, if you ever did this venue, life is, as you know, it is forever changed. I mean, there's different milestones, so the next one is Fillmore at home. Yeah. Yeah. And then the anthem, no, he did Howard, Howard, yeah, I didn't do Fillmore for political reasons. Actually, I said, I didn't do Fillmore because the company that owned Fillmore doesn't give artists their data and promoters don't give artists their data. So I'm snitching. Yeah. Hey, if you listen to my music, whenever you buy tickets, the people that run the shows, don't give me your email because they claim that there are laws that prohibit them from sharing your information and you came to see me, you came to see me perform, not them. So they wouldn't let me be able to say, hey, thank you for coming to my show. They hold that information and then they use that information to sell more tickets for other artists and other shows. And I feel like that is absolute nonsense. And I feel like that information should at least be shared with the artist. So which is why I don't, and I can't do specific venues because I'm standing on business when it comes to that. But that's why I haven't done Fillmore because of the company that owned Fillmore. You always stand on business though. Yeah, I have to. Artists need more artacity and you need like, we need to stop being pimped out and hold out, man. It's not pimped out. Yeah. Cause it's right. Yeah. Yeah. That's true. I don't know. That's. Okay. Give me my data, nigga. Period. Keep minding his data. Yeah. Huh. Okay. Okay. Sorry. Sorry guys. Sorry guys. Sorry guys. Sorry guys. But. No, we're doing it. We're doing it. Okay. Are we going to play some association? I'm not that good at this game. This is the one game I say when it's time for me to do. I'm so sorry guys. You better know this one. I'm really easy for you. Okay. Okay. You ready? Sit up. All right. First word is brown. My brown skin. Exactly. Okay. Next one is God. I was looking. Oh. No, you have to sing it now. You're the kind that said. Oh, I got it. I got it. I got it. Yeah. Please give me like a spursor too. I was looking for God. Okay. Okay. Okay. Next one is God. I was looking for God. Um. No, you have to sing it now. Okay. I was looking for God. I was searching. Then I found you and I was so searching. The definition. You are from God. You fed me. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. I do. This. Now what? But the whispers are for you, sirs. Whoa, this is crazy live. Why don't we get to remember this think of this in the car? Okay, yeah, I'm just telling you. Okay, next one. Yellow. Get that finger. She way yellow. This is too much. Oh, shut up. I have to remember. Yeah, yeah. Oh, my day is wait. Are you ever going to do a song with Rema? Oh, yeah, boy, that boy is. Rema is amazing. I love Rema so much. I love what he's doing. Like, ah, nah, bro. Get Rema's fire. Like, I feel like, wait, hold on. Let's listen, sir. Before we go to next work, I promise I'm not trying to like. Get us to not finish that game. No, no, of course not. Let's know what you're doing at all. Why would you even do that? You have to, you need to forget. I won't forget. Nah, bro. I understand that there's this competitive nature in us as creatives. I feel like I'm the greatest. Other artists feel like they're the greatest. However, when somebody else is killing, you have to be able to say, nah, this person is great and amazing. And you need, you have to be okay with saying it publicly. Like, shout out to the people that have paved the way for African artists, shout out to Whiz, shout out to the people before we shout out to Asha, shout out to Bernie, shout out to David. They've all played a part. Shout out to Thames, Killin' and Now, shout out to like all these people. You shout out to me. Like adding more souls to like, now it's cool. Like, I see a lot of up and coming artists making soulful music from Nigeria and they're all following me and I see their messages like, I see a lot, but when it comes to Rema who's, and I'm saying this because I want to give Rema his flowers publicly. Rema is so bold, courageous, and he is killing it. And other people should be bold. And as he's being bold, we need to give each other our flowers. Even if anything flops, I would still respect that person because it's like, you had the audacity to just go and try something like his last album. It was so left for what people were expecting. And this man is at Madison Square Garden. You know what I mean? Like, shout out to Rema whether or not we work, but like, you're doing that shit. So, and I feel like other artists should just come out and give people their flowers, man. It's not, his deep, it's not that deep. Me, shouting out, Rema doesn't negate, take away from my greatness, whether or not we work. So yeah, I feel like this competitive nature keeps us from appreciating each other. It doesn't mean that we can be competitive and have like healthy competition, but, man, shout out, shout, man. Shout out, everyone's mentioned. I also think like it's within our community. And I say this a lot. Like, I just had some situation having to meet recently with even other creatives. It's like this crab in the bucket mentality that is like we're constantly fighting each other for getting that age old saying like, you can go fast if you go alone. We can go farther if you go together. Like, there's so much like, we've seen how much progress people make when they're together. Like, the partnerships, the collaborations, the people like, there's no backstabbing. It's just respect. And just honestly, respect. Like, respecting each other's crowds. And I know we always have the FCs and the people and the supporters always having these rivalries. But at the end of the day, like love, at the end of the day, or like just respect goes such a long way than beef. Like, we see that happen time and time and time and time again. Like, the folks who respect each other sell like the craziness that happens when they come and stage together, alone shows you how much people are hungry for people showing love to each other. And that's when they always respect about you. Like, you always show love. Like, I've never heard you like, and I just don't mean me saying this on camera for you, but even when we're talking within each other, you never say a bad thing about not an artist. You're not even critical. You simply always respect that art. Like, you always say like, I might not understand that by respect to your work. And I think that's important within our field. Because creativity is such a special, personal thing that it's, it's like, honestly, spiritual, right? Like, you ever read the artist's way, as I say, like, it's creativity comes from such a spiritual place in us that all you have to be respected. When someone is pointing their heart and soul into crafts, like, nah, so yeah, I love that. I was a Rema's MSG concert. And my mouth was like on the floor the entire time. Like just seeing the way he moved and how he was so him on stage. And I mean, when we're partying backstage and just having him just, he's just young. Yeah. But you can see, like, you know, when you see that fire in somewhere. Yeah. You see, and like, I literally draw that parallel to even seeing you on your load and show on stage too. The, it's such a beautiful thing to see you guys create. Like, and how happy and at home you are on that stage. No one else can do that, except for you guys. Like, no one else can carry a manual show except for fucking manuals. And no matter what, I'm going to go off the show. You're just like, it feels like a blurty. You probably, and we were all like, oh, you did amazing. You're just like, yeah, I was like, for I wish you knew. Yeah. I wish you saw yourself the way we saw you. Because then I think it will be such an interesting take on the things that you're able to even do even more of. So props to you as well for always giving flowers to people. Thank you. Thank you. You're so deserving of it. But I'm going to go back so I give now. Damn. And next. Tomorrow or tomorrow or tomorrow or it's Father, you can't say Holy Father or be there. Holy Father. Holy Father, I'm screaming. My lady. That's such a fucking conversation. You might be, yeah. Shout the big Tony in a miracle. Okay, last one. Nigeria. Nigeria. Come on. Mother by day. At least I don't know. Couldn't question me, you're on TV. Okay, there's also a part of the show that I've only done once. And when I did it with this person once, they refused to do it. Because I think their branding is very much like a humble and I can't. But I'm always going to keep asking all the guests I have in my show who are creative to talk your shit. So what I mean by that is for the next like, however many minutes or seconds you want to hype yourself up, like I want you to say whatever the fuck like. For me, I'll say like I have the only personal creative, amazing podcast on the fucking planet. I might say, that's what I mean. I want you to talk your shit about how amazing you are, your creativity, poor life into you in the way you wish, or the people who spoke life into you. I want to hear it. The camera is right there for you. Hmm, I'm going to do it in his second person. Yeah, you can't. However you want. I want to see how people's different takes out. And I like it. Yeah, it is kind of weird. So I'm better. But can I say this before you start? Yeah. I got this idea from Issa Rae's speech at a woman's award where she said like, we see a lot of male rappers talk about how good they are. And sometimes I talk about some crazy shit. So then she went on stage and she was like, I did this shit myself. Fuck my management. In like the funny way that she was just like, I worked so hard for this shit. I am the shit. And I remember seeing that and everyone was laughing. But I was just like, no one does that. No one actually says, no, I worked hard to get here. I deserve this. I made for this. So I want, I might too loud is sort of like that for me now. Right? It's like a platform where I want people to sort of question and was I being too loud? Of course you're not because you simply should be bold and loud. You're kind of content you're creating and kind of person you are. So we're on to over. I control my destiny. And I am here. I'm here because of God. Because of the creativity that God has given me. Which is why I think I'm the greatest thing working on earth. Artists produce a combination. I'm going to speak as me. I'm never going to do second person. Because I do say these things to myself. Sometimes I'm nice. I'm that nigga. Like, I do this shit, bro. And the competitive side of me is like, if you put me in a studio with any artist, including the people that I respect. And even, yeah, let me start to include the people that I love and respect the greats. They go and know what's up. And I say that humbly and proudly because I've put in the work. When I did the Lauren Hill show, first of all, how many people get invited by Lauren Hill? How many people get invited by Lauren Hill? That's crazy. So Lauren Hill did a festival. She invited three, four artists, as special guests. She brought us out during her set. Right before the set, my pack wasn't working. And the MC, I'd already introduced me. So they were waiting. I just said, if it ran out, destroyed the stage, destroyed the performance. I came back. The band was like, yo, you're crazy. But the audience is like, oh my god, what is this? I was like, yeah, I actually couldn't hear you guys. I didn't, couldn't hear. I was just going, but I can only do that because I'm that nigga. And I put in the work to do that. Like, I can, we can go perform right now. And I'm destined. Anybody give me the same production that Berna and Beyoncé have. And then we'll see who the greatest performer is right now. Put me in the studio with any of the best producers, songwriters. And they're going to see what's up. So that is the, that's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. She's doing that. Let me do this guy. I'm so humble. I love you guys so much. All right. Give me flowers. That's so nice. But not seriously, like, I think sometimes it's important for artists to do that. But also, I also do understand like time and chance have a big part to play in people's success. Staying prepared, but staying prepared is putting in the work and all of those things. So, yeah, but don't play with me. Like, don't play with me. Like, but I like. I'm kind of a level, but without the craziness, I'm kind of a level creative. I'm Donald Glover level creative. Whether or not the world gets to find out that's up to me and God. As I said, I feel like I control my destiny. But yeah, don't play with me. But I don't like right now, I'm just giving R&B so I can do any genre, I can do any sound, I can go into Afro beats and dust anybody. I would learn country. I like, I'm that guy. Glory be to God. Glory be to God. I'm so proud of you. That just made my fucking day. You know what you have a dream for your show? Yeah. And like, I knew I had the right person on to kick that off. Because like in my head, I see that compilation and I see that being played at like your show at Nelson Square Garden in like two years, one year, six months max at this point. Because we're speaking into it, right? And like that's the opening fucking scene. And then like you say this shit and then you're walking out of the crowd is screaming. All your features, the dream feature you just talked about today, all those features that have all come to pass. And you're like, I told you all I was going to do that. She's like, can be doing it and even walking in my purpose. That's what I want that to be. You know what I mean? Because like we shy so fucking hard from speaking the things we want. Whether that's from fear, whether that's from like uncertainty insecurity, whatever it is. But I wish more people would just said what their goals were and spoke to themselves about it. Whether that's in the mirror, whether that's like to your phone, whether that's to friends, family, like it's so important to speak life into yourself. I know the day itself. That even just healed a part of me here. You took about yourself like that. Because like I don't think like we ever get to speak like that to ourselves. And I'm glad you did. I'm glad I did too. Why the shit? Yeah, yeah. Glory be to God. Glory be to God. I know. You probably would have been thinking of something. Yeah, you still got to give God. Yeah, all the time. Wait, we do it for yourself. Huh? Do for yourself. Do for yourself. Oh, wait. Oh, shit. Do for yourself. Give me that. I appreciate it. Let's see. Let's see. OK, um, I want the funniest bitches you're ever going to meet. No, um, the holiday is going to be named like it's going to be known worldwide. That's a fact. Yes. I'm going to be on stage in Madison Square Garden. Yeah. And give me two years. Yeah. Sold out shows. Guest artists, get star, get host. I would own my own production company out of rain five children's books. I know I am destined for greatness. I'm destined to have a private jet that will fly around my fucking family and friends and pick their kids up for us to have days out in Tokyo fucking Disney. I have the strength to have the capabilities I'm disciplined. I am empowered. I am funny. I am successful. I am sincere. I'm creative. I am everything I want to be and even more. I deserve greatness because I am greatness. And it's only a matter of time. The time is now, but still only a matter of time. And I can't wait for everything I fucking say I want to be to be true. And it's always happening already. And I'm just really proud of me for a hard day of fucking work. Because I work hard. I'm one of the most hard-working people you would ever fucking me. And everything I do is because I work hard. And it's because I'm multifaceted. I'm a multi-potential. And I am a jack and master of ultra fucking trades. My drop. Yeah. She said I deserve greatness because I am great. I'm greatness personified. Okay. Period. Yeah, that was hard. Okay, last two questions and then we're going to head out. Because it's getting hot in here, guys. From all the heat, from what's happening ourselves up. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When the music fades and the mic is off, what do you hope people remember about Manuel's? Good music. He cares. He cares about us. That's what I want people to, like, he cares about our souls. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. Yeah, he cares. I don't do that as your friend. I would say, Manny is before anything a family man first. Like if there was ever a time that like you weren't doing music anymore, I would, I know for a fact all you'd be doing is pouring into your family. Whatever that looks like and that music extended personal, what do you call it? Absolutely. I don't know. Yeah, it's completely clear. Yeah, it's completely clear. Oh, the different types of problems, yeah. You're definitely a family person. And I always want to remember that because I think that's what keeps you grounded. And I'm just really proud of the many you are. Thank you. For all hard, you just, you show up for the people you care essentially. So you're absolutely right. Yeah. You care about a lot of people and I think that's why you are what you are. Okay, last question before we close out. What is one advice you give to younger Manny? Wow, I'll tell you about this a young artist. Oh, no. One advice that I would give to younger Manny is you. Huh. Yeah. Obviously keep going. Yeah. You have the right ideas. You should seek out teams and systems. Now so that you can potentially scale faster. Hmm. Because that's just how life. And you said it. If you want to go far, if you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, go with the team, go with a group. So go with the community. So that comes management, a friend group, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, just don't force it. But seek those people out and be vigilant for those people so that you can move. So you can go further and you go further faster, kind of. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. Period. All right, guys. What are you? What's up? Uh-uh. No, no, no, no, no, no. I do your own day of wind. Um, advice to young Sophie. No one knows you about you. You're just trying to. No, you're trying to. Like no one, no one does. I spent so long, young Sophie spent so much time looking at other people for guidance because she second-guests herself so much. I would, and when people don't see your dreams because no one has done what you're doing, they put into question. They're going to tell you, no, they're going to tell you, try it differently. They're not going to pour on bridal support into you and then you're going to take that and you're going to internalize that and then takes you a longer time to get there. I wish I started sooner. I wish I stopped listening to everybody else for myself. Like, when I wanted to do YouTube, that was when the Mr. Beast of the World was starting. I had those ideas and I just didn't know what to do with them. When I first came to America, I wanted to start creating. I love, you know, camera. I didn't want to ask me that. I love the camera. I love the mic. I wanted to be Ellen DeGeneres. Then someone would tell you, like, Ellen DeGeneres from Way, Nigeria. You don't have that. When it's a model, oh, you can't do that. Okay. Now they're Instagram models. It was always opportunity. I just, I listened too much to other people and I still find myself doing that now. But I've learned that everything I wanted to do, if I just did it, just listen to myself, listen to my god trusted myself. I've done a lot more. So that's something I always saw myself and any young person who's growing up, because you know you. Yeah. Like at the core of it, like when you sit down at home, when your brain storm, when you're thinking, like, so now I do this and just listen to my advice. I was giving people now. When you're starting out, I stopped scrolling for like every Sunday now. It's only time I scroll on bright old. Now I don't have screen time. And before I start my day, if I have any content idea, anything I think in my head, and of course now you get ideas from it. You don't even know what unless you saw a video that I'm going to give you the idea. But the idea is right on a notepad and your notes anywhere. Just the idea that just comes from you. Don't look at anybody else and record it fresh. Record it just from what you have. And then go from there and build on it if you need to. Because too many times we have an idea and we go, I wonder what TikTok says. I wonder what Instagram says. I wonder who has done this before. And then by the time the final product comes, it's a wash down version of the originality that you originally had. So I think it's something that I'm trying to be working to my creative process. Like today for this episode, I wanted to say, okay, my friend, like, what can I talk to you about? And I was going to start going to YouTube to say, what do people record art with artists? What are questions that they've already asked artists? And I was like, you know what I'm talking artists? You're my friend. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, what do I want to know about my friend? What do I want to say? So we wrote those things down. It's had GPD help too. I'm like, from what you know about me and what you can see at this person. What would you think? You know what I mean? Finding that way to keep the conversation fresh and organic and original. Because I think originality is going to be what would save us from the age of AI and technology and stuff like that. Because you can't duplicate humanity essentially. So I'll just say that. No one knows you, but you stick to that. Samps. Money, things we're coming on the park. You have a good time. This is fun. Yes. Thanks, ma'am. That person who's going to see, even if you don't feel something to share, just record. Just for me to see how she's alive and will. Any text? Many texts? No, no, no, no. All right, guys. That is the end of the podcast. Thank you so much for listening to my. It's a lot of the podcast with Sophie. AKA the motherfucking Audity. And my first artist creative guest, who is just an icon and legend in his own right. I'm so proud of you. I can't wait for us to just create some more together and just see where life takes us twin. I wish you the very best. Thank you for coming on my podcast. I can't wait. This is fun. Yeah. Yeah, it's fun, it's good. All right, don't forget, guys. Leave your comments. Leave a five-star rating on Spotify, Apple, all of it. And I'll see you in the next episode. Bye, guys.