Ghanaian hip hop rap artist, musician and producer M.anifest has released his sixth studio album, New Road and Guava Trees.
The album, out via Mass Appeal, is available for streaming here.
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.
The album features collaborations with high-flying collaborators such as Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, The Cavemen., King Promise, Bien, Blinky Bill and A-Reece.
New Road and Guava Trees 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.
“The title of the album is inspired by the quest of embarking on a fresh path,” he said. “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 labour.”
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 (Doja Cat, Lil Yachty), alongside the likes of Grammy Award-nominated producer GuiltyBeatz (Beyoncé, Jorja Smith) and MikeMillzOn’Em (Amaarae, DarkoVibes) resulted in a record that is both experimental and deeply emotive.
Each track on New Road and 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 his sixth studio album, M.anifest 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 delivers music that bridges cultural divides and inspires listeners to embrace their own journeys.
As M.anifest says, “You have to make the climb to get to the fruits of your labour and this album is a reflection of that climb.”
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.
New Road and Guava Trees tracllist
1. Time Catch
2. Eye Red
3. Badman (ft. Vic Daggs II)
4. Wine And Blues (ft. AratheJay)
5. Puff Puff (ft. The Cavemen. & Flea)
6. Gye Name and Vibes
7. Safe Place (ft. Tobi & T’neeya) – produced by Blinky Bill
8. My God (ft. Lee Lewis)
9. Ease My Mind (ft. Xperience M)
10. Spirit Riddim (ft. Bien & DarkoVibes)
11. FTYD (ft. A-Reece)
12. Highlands
13. Hang My Boots (ft. King Promise)
14. Second Hand
The release cements M.anifest’s position as one of Africa’s most innovative hip hop artists through this captivating collection and resonant body of work.
With over a decade in the game, M.anifest is renowned for his exceptional lyricism, vivid storytelling, and groundbreaking fusion of hip hop and West African pop music.
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 and The Universe (2021).
The grandson of the legendary ethnomusicologist Prof JH Nketia, M.anifest brings a unique depth and perspective to his music, using his platform to humanise the African experience and bridge cultural divides through his rich soundscapes as a true innovator. His influence also reaches far beyond the continent, with cross-cultural collaborations with global icons such as Damon Albarn, Erykah Badu, and Burna Boy.
He continues to redefine the landscape of African music, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most revered and forward-thinking artists.
