Ghanian award-winning rap icon and beat maker, Kwame Ametepee Tsikata better known as M.anifest, has released his much-awaited sixth studio album New Road & Guava Trees, via the revered hip-hop label Mass Appeal.
Known for his groundbreaking approach to music and cultural storytelling, M.anifest has once again crafted a body of work that pushes creative boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in his heritage. Featuring collaborations with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, The Cavemen., King Promise, A-Reece, and Bien from Sauti Sol, the album is a bold exploration of hip-hop, afrobeats, and highlife, paired with profound storytelling and lush sonic landscapes.
The album’s title is both metaphorical and personal, referencing M.anifest’s childhood in Madina, Ghana. “New Road & Guava Trees’ is about embarking on a fresh path. I grew up in a part of Madina called New Road, where we had a guava tree that symbolises growth and beginnings. This record is about the climb—facing challenges to reach the fruits of our labor,” the cipher said.
Created between Accra, Seattle, and Los Angeles, the album represents a culmination of nearly two years of creative awakening and collaboration. Key sessions with longtime producer Budo (who produces for Doja Cat, Lil Yachty), alongside the likes of Grammys nominated producer GuiltyBeatz (Beyonce, Jorja Smith), and MikeMillzOn’Em (Amaarae, DarkoVibes) resulted in a record that is both experimental and deeply emotive.
Each track on New Road & Guava Trees offers a distinct perspective, blending introspection, cultural commentary, and infectious grooves. The album seamlessly transitions between reflective storytelling and vibrant, danceable anthems, creating a rich and multi-dimensional listening experience. With New Road & Guava Trees,
M.anifest in this new offering, charts a bold and fresh course, intertwining personal history with resonant themes of resilience, love, identity, hope, and self-discovery. This introspective yet outwardly expansive album cements his position as one of Africa’s most innovative artistes; delivering music that bridges cultural divides and inspires listeners to embrace their own journeys.
“You have to make the climb to get to the fruits of your labor, and this album is a reflection of that climb,” he said.
The 14-track offering is a rich, genre-spanning journey that fuses introspection, cultural commentary, and experimental soundscapes in a way that only M.anifest knows how. It opens with Time Catch, a triumphant call to action, symbolizing the urgency of seizing the moment, with tracks like Eye Red offering a raw portrayal of youth desperation amid systemic failures, while Wine and Blues paints a vivid picture of navigating life’s challenges with strength and grace.
The album’s lead single Puff Puff, featuring The Cavemen and Red Hot Chili Peppers legend Flea, blends hip-hop, jazz, and highlife to deliver a soulful anthem on the resilience we need to navigate through life’s many challenges.
The album’s narrative deepens with Spirit Riddim, a breezy ode to carefree summer moments, while love takes centre stage on My God, a poignant exploration of tortured devotion, and Ease My Mind, a tender celebration of imperfect love.
Hang My Boots featuring King Promise serves as a heartfelt anthem of love and commitment that celebrates leaving the chaos behind, while Highlands offers hope for those born into adversity, affirming the soul’s eternal resilience, and the reflective closing track Second Hand meditates on life’s cyclical nature.
Through this captivating collection, and resonant body of work, M.anifest reaffirms his status as Africa’s most innovative hip-hop artiste. With over a decade in the game, he has crafted a series of critically acclaimed and transformative works, including five studio albums and three EPs that showcase his deep connection to his African roots while pushing the boundaries of modern hip-hop music – from 2013’s Apae: The Price of Free, to Madina to the Universe from 2021
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