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Misled Youth EP Review

I stand for the righteous, in the middle of a crisis."

Manafest's sound is like nothing you've ever heard before. He brings a message of unwavering positivity and a rock-solid dedication to his ideals and beliefs. Manafest's tracks are, in his words, "about 70% hip-hop and 30% alternative rock". This is for real.Who is Manafest? When he isn't skating in downtown T-Dot, you can find Manafest freestylin' with his crew, recording in the studio, or just puttin' in time in the basement, creating lyrics that flow with an unrivalled intensity.

Who is Manafest? Hailing from Pickering, Ontario, Chris Greenwood a.k.a Manafest or "Speedy" to his friends, formed the group UnderOneKing at 18 with fellow MC Jusachyl ("Just-A-Child") with the mission of bringing the Gospel to his friends. Today, Manafest spreads his own message as a solo artist through his unique mix of hip-hop and punk styles, playing shows at churches, prisons, and all points in between. His experiences as a youth, walking the line between "MC" and "skater", as well as his love for Jesus Christ have enabled him to reach out to people - young people especially - on a level that is real and uncensored.

Representing the vibes, the attitudes, and the lifestyles of hip-hop and skateboarding culture, Manafest possesses a balance that allows him to represent Christ while keeping it real on all fronts. In his words, "the music that I do is not preachy, but I will not compromise the Gospel...I know that everyone is on this 'conscious' tip, but some of these hip-hop artists [today] are still lost. I can relate to what they're saying, but I'm not feelin' it. I want to go deeper [than other MC's], to enter the mind of that guy who wants to commit suicide. I want to know what's going on in the streets so I can get out on the corner and talk to these guys."

On his underground debut EP, "Misled Youth", Manafest expresses his views of the world from the perspective of a teenager growing up in a cynical urban environment. Experiencing a life filled with false hopes and empty promises ("What's Goin' On") - it leads him on a search for fulfillment and ultimately, a divine revelation ("Freedom", "Soul Searching"). In an age where every artist aims to be different, but ends up sounding the same, Manafest is truly enigmatic, just by being who he is and conceding nothing.

Who is Manafest? "When something is manifested, it is exposed to the light...I don't want to just be some guy on a stage..."

"I want to go out and live this."

Review by: Anonymous, Amazon.com