Today we’d like to introduce you to MANUEL!.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I always had a love for music, Whether it was my grandfather playing the guitar in the mornings or having music in the background while cleaning. My family always had music playing. Around 13, I realized I wanna create music but I didn’t know where to start. I then downloaded a little app on my phone where you can throw loops together and make a beat. That’s really how I started. Then around 15, I took a trip to California with Grap3z for a whole summer, who is now my manager. He showed me a new perspective on life and what I could do with it. He gave me my first laptop and music software. I just started creating from there. I obviously wasn’t good at the time and it was hard to stay motivated. But I just kept going. I didn’t take it seriously until about 16 when I got a job and started purchasing music equipment, stuff that I needed and stuff that maybe could help me with my creative process. I started hitting the studio every single day with my friend RANZA. He also shaped me into the artist I am today. And that’s when everything started going to the next level. And now I am 17 going on 18. I have done 2 shows and have created a little fanbase.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. But nothing is ever smooth when you build from the ground up. The biggest struggle was getting out of my comfort zone. I was the shy kid, no one really knew me. I would go day to day with little to no social interactions. It took a tole but that’s when I realized I was the problem. And I feel that is the hardest part, is realizing you are the one holding you back. I started carrying myself as an artist and really started promoting my music around my school and my family and it was nerve-wracking at first but I didn’t wanna be in my little bubble anymore. Another challenge was figuring out how to make my songs entertaining, I could rap a verse and throw it on a beat but would it be interesting? probably not. I started learning how to take a song and make it a story. Those are some of the biggest challenges that I have come across. Recently it has been, learning the music business. Too in-depth to touch on here. But overall, I wouldn’t want to have it any other way
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Some call me an artist. Others call me a producer. I’d like to call myself a creative, It’s not just through the music, it’s visuals (music videos), writing, producing, mixing and mastering, and marketing. I wanna learn how to do it all, and I wanna take all of it and put it on a bigger level than anyone has done before. I have recently dabbled in clothes and apparel. Taking my creativity to new lengths and testing new waters. I feel like that is what will set me apart from others, I say “will” because I am very young as I mentioned before, I’m only 17. Younger creatives don’t get as much respect as older more experienced ones. But I know my day will come soon.
What makes you happy?
A lot. Mostly making sure my family is okay, and friends as well. Challenging myself, then getting over that barrier also makes me happy. Just creating anything makes me happy. Being content with myself is a big one. I learned how to be happy with myself, and my stress levels have gone down, greatly.
Contact Info:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jBosUtmgmlUoZS9XL5C6F?si=BibSgjUASgu1IH0-c1n3-A
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmademanually/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5HHK65zVdTpMAHypynauMg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-769601300
Image Credits
Grap3z
MANUEL!
RANZA
