mani

mani is a French hip hop artist associated with hip hop, instrumental hip hop and underground hip hop. The name also appears in relation to several other artists, but as a person from France, mani is identified here as a solo MC.

Style and background

mani is described as working within hip hop while also drawing on instrumental and underground forms. The music is presented as rooted in rap but not limited to a single category, with a focus on lyrics and content.

Career and activity

mani is active as a rapper and MC, with releases including material titled Vote4Mani, Swag Super Star, She My Type, So Sympathetic, Mass Transit and Out For The Night. The track Swag Super Star is singled out as an early success and is also used as intro music for a TV show. She My Type, So Sympathetic and Mass Transit are noted as further examples of his work.

Performance and public profile

On stage, mani is described as expressive and physical in performance, with strong gestures and body language. He is linked with live shows across the coast, with Maria Davis Mad Wednesday’s mentioned as a favoured venue, along with Baltimore Black and Wax and Peju’s Kitchen.

Influences and themes

mani’s musical influences include soul and funk as well as artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone and Curtis Mayfield. Later influences include Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Jadakiss and Kanye West. His songs are described as carrying messages and reflecting personal experience rather than fitting a fixed formula.

Business and independent work

mani is the CEO and owner of Stellar Entertainment Music Group (SEMG), which operates as an independent music company and is said to have been producing music since 2009. SEMG also provides instrumental music, guest articles, merchandise and streaming material, and mani is presented as sharing experience with other hip hop, indie and soul artists.

Associated material

A limited edition album titled Out For The Night is discussed in connection with press coverage, with the songs noted for thought-provoking lyrics. Other named projects in his orbit include a single called Bizness with Kali, as well as references to #Septic4MySkeptics and THE WORK SAMPLER.