I take making music and the opportunity it brings very seriously, but let’s be honest, you and I both know there are more rappers better than me. This isn’t false humility; this is fact and I’m not ashamed. At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter to me. I want people to like my music, to think I did a good job, or even better, memorize it and be impacted by the words. What I don’t want is to be just a rapper. It’s not enough to merely lay verses down over beats.

No, I am trying to be an artist. I create to evoke emotion which hopefully leads to change. I want my art to help you wrestle with your life’s philosophy, and help me wrestle with mine. I want to be a voice for people who can’t speak for themselves. A voice for those screaming around the world that go unheard. I want my intimate and true life stories to be your stepping stones where they once were my stumbling blocks. I don’t want you to just listen to the music, rather I want you to take action.

My aim is to touch people’s lives through rap - not rise to the top of the rap pyramid. Honestly, what’s the point of being the best rapper? Many great rappers have simply made a hot song and that was it. There are millions of rappers who are prisoners of the moment, give me a hot beat and I’m on it. Trap rappers who will put out one hit single and then leave the scene entirely. I pray this is not me, I want to make something that stands for a long time, and speaks the truth boldly and loudly.

I don’t want to be a rapper, I want to be an artist

Go be more than just a title/label for the greater glory of God,

Kareem Manuel
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