Manifest Spreads Hip Hope To Barbados With HISLife, HISMic Tour

Bridgetown, Barbados… Bahamian hip hop icon Manifest is spreading hip hope to the island nation of Barbados this week and he’s bringing along his music, his mission and debuting a protégé. The artiste, who is unofficially crowned the prince of positive hip hop is making Barbados the first Caribbean island to sample his latest album HISLife HISMic, his most critically acclaimed to date. Bajans can expect Manifest to hit up some venues from March 25th to March 29th.
Barely 30, Manifest is considered a veteran in Caribbean hip hop, having launched his own record label Dunamus Soundz Records while still a teen and founded the Bahamas Hip Hop Fest over a decade ago. Barbados is the first Caribbean stop on his 2010 Hip Hope tour which will hit Miami next week, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos plus several Canadian and mid-western American cities. The multi-award winning artiste and producer had eased up on touring last year due to the birth of his first child, Johanan Manifest Parks with his wife Bahamian writer/filmmaker Radel.
“I can’t wait to be back in Barbados,” said Manifest. “The last time I was there, I was 12 years old and participating in a track meet but this is my first trip as an artist and I am looking forward to meeting the Bajan fans and performing for them at various venues while reminding them to spread hip hope instead of just getting caught up. I also hope to drop in to some of the youth organizations and schools to encourage those who will be coming up behind me to put a positive message back into the arts. It’s one thing for them to see Caribbean people blow up big abroad as entertainers but it’s another thing to ensure that we maintain a good image and set an example because we are not just carrying the weight of our individual islands or nation, we are repping the region. It doesn’t matter if its music, sports or something else, we have to set a standard, you know.”
Joining Manifest on the tour will be former Bahamian teen rapper Big Willie, who will be debuting his first full length album. Wilshire Dawkins aka WD-40 will show Bajans how he kept holding onto his title on Teen Scene (a Bahamian youth talk show with an American Idol-like sing/rap off talent segment). WD-40 already holds a special place in his heart for Barbados as his wife is a native.
“I plan to deliver,” says Manifest when asked of how Bajans will receive his music. “I know WD-40 can deliver, but even though my hip hop style is unconventional, I plan to deliver too. I mean there is the basis of hip hop on the album but we’ve also got some old school funk, opera –yes opera, rock, alternative and contemporary in there. So I think those who check me out on tour will find themselves in for a pleasant surprise.”
For more information check out www.dunamussoundz.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Should you like to arrange an interview with Manifest while he is in your area, please contact theambassadoragency@gmail.com or arthia.nixon@gmail.com

Manifest Now Solo Star On His Dunamus Soundz Label

Nassau, The Bahamas… After spending the past decade launching the musical careers of well rounded entertainers such as Bodine ‘BE’ Johnson and Ricardo ‘Mr. Beeds’ Forbes, multi-award winning producer/hip hopper, Lavard ‘Manifest’ Parks announced that he is now the sole artist on his Dunamus Soundz Records label.

Manifest established himself as pioneer on the Caribbean hip hop scene as a teenager when he started the label, after being musically moulded by Double Syx, the producer who introduced the world to Manifest and other artists such as Ternielle ‘TaDa’ Burrows. Now, the hit-maker and founder of the Bahamas Hip Hop Fest says he’s ready to take his music to a whole other level, and as a result has had to make changes to facilitate the road he’s now travelling.

“I just want to clear the air that no one was dropped or fired or anything,” stated Manifest. “The people who were on the label were and still are family. Everyone got to complete what they were working on and it was really cool how we are still able to chat each other up when it’s time to make music and such. The real deal is that I am unable at this time to commit to developing the whole artist as I once did because the vision I wrote is becoming plain and there is room for the work of my hands. In other words, Manifest is about to blow the roof off! Because I’ll be travelling the Caribbean and North America very soon and of course my obligation to my family and even the youth I mentor, I simply won’t have the time to focus on polishing up an artist.”

Manifest noted that while he will be pushing himself as an artist with a team of managers and publicists in the Caribbean, Bahamas and North America, the overall goal is to take the lessons he’s learnt and come back to help establish more artists from his country.

“I mean, it’s like this – in order to take your craft to another level once you’ve saturated a market, you have to follow opportunities as they present themselves,” he says. “I’ve been blessed to have had a great decade of hits in my country, and I’m blessed to see that the hardwork has paid off with the awards I’ve received, but the time is right to take it to a whole new level. We’re not breaking the company down, we’re building on to it.”

Presently, Manifest is working on his latest music video and putting the finishing touches on HISlife, HISmic set to be release in early 2010. Good Times, the first single from the album has already been making the top ten lists on several stations and magazines while providing him with opportunities to perform live including at this weekend’s Artists 4 Peace concert.

“It’s been a really good time for me because of the people I surround myself with,” admits Manifest. “My wife has been there every step of the way supporting me – I mean, when Dunamus Soundz was still an idea in my head, she was the one who got me my first computer. Of course, my right hand man Corridon ‘The Don’ Hanna has been behind the scenes from the start and while I travel he’s going to be holding it down. I also wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the fans who actually continue pushing me to bring more clean, cuss-free, feel good hits so I thank God for them. And even though he’s only been here for four months, my son Jojo also gives me new motivation and he’s already living the hip hop life by joining us when we do some interviews and shows and who knows, he might even have a cameo in one of the new videos. All in all, keep looking out and checking me up on Facebook, MySpace and www.dunamussoundz.com because we are taking it to a whole new level!”

Our First Readers' Reward Prize Giveaway! You Can Win Something Straight From the Hands of Hip Hop Icon Manifest!

Lavard 'Manifest' Parks performs at the Hip Hop Fest, an event he founded several years ago while wearing gear from his label.

Hi there everyone,

We've got some exciting news from Manifest that we'll be sharing very soon that is truly worth celebrating. Soooooo, in order to celebrate, I've decided to give an autographed Dunamus Soundz product to you. Simply answer the following questions (some of them are already answered for you right here):

1)What is Manifest's real name?

2)Who, other than Manifest, has produced the most tracks under the Dunamus Soundz label?

3)What is the name of the hip-hopera song that won Manifest his most recent award?

4) Who is the only female to serve on the Dunamus Soundz Executive team?

5) What is the name of Manifest's newest album?

6) Which Caribean island did Manifest tour early 2009?

7)Name the mega Bahamian female artist who shared a musical mentor with Manifest when they were teens?

We'll be taking your answers from now until we release our latest story on Manifest. So take care and do your research... PS His official page is on Facebook and it's connected to his website.. or you can scroll our archives at http://www.youought2know.blogspot.com/

You may also leave your answers at 1-242-225-1550 ONLY if you leave your e-mail/phone number and at least your first name.

Happy hunting!

Caribbean Hip Hop Mogul To Perform Live With Opera Legend At Music Awards

Nassau, The Bahamas... Guests and nominees of this year’s Marlin Music Awards will be in for a never before seen performance when Bahamian music icons Manifest and Joanne Callender take the stage for their ‘hip-hopera’ duet I Shall Rise on March 29.
The highly anticipated annual event, considered the Caribbean version of the Grammy’s combined with the positivity of the Stellar Music Awards, recognized Manifest at the last gathering in 11 categories as a nominee. This year, Manifest, who also serves as CEO of Dunamus Soundz Records is up for Song of the Year with I Shall Rise. The single from the Overcomers soundtrack has been in heavy rotation in the Caribbean and North America. It’s also featured on Manifest’s newly released Parables album and has listeners comparing his authoritative vocals to the likes of several well-known artists. However, the seasoned hip hop artist is quick to point out that his style is much different.
“Whatever I rhyme about comes from a deep spiritual connection I have with my Creator,” says Manifest. “My message is about hope and I do not believe in creating derogatory or offensive songs laced with cuss words or violence. This song in particular is self-explanatory – it’s about rising and overcoming no matter what people think of you and to stop being blind and finally seeing how awesome things can be. A part of the awesomeness behind this single is the hard work that Joann and Lee put into it to making it a trailblazing hit by more or less marrying hip hop and opera. Sure it sounds like an odd couple but when you actually sit and work on it, opposites attract.”
Bahamian diva Joann Callender is a stellar soprano who has given sold out performances all over the world accompanied by her husband, noted piano virtuoso Lee; the grandson of Timothy Gibson, who composed the Bahamas National Anthem. According to Manifest, the birthing of the song came quite naturally as the artists behind it were eager to unleash a new sound.
“We admire and respect each other as artists and that is very important in making a record that will be successful,” said Manifest. “It was a first time for both of us to venture so far away from our own sound but the riffs came out amazing and overall it offers something that inspires and empowers. We want that to come across when we perform in front of our industry colleagues.”

Hip-Hopera Single I Shall Rise Could Rise To Win Song of The Year

Nassau, The Bahamas… The recipe was unconventional – one cup of multi-award winning producer and hip-hop artist Manifest, combined with a teaspoon living opera legend Joanne Callander. Indeed, the end result could only equate to delicious mm-mmm good music.

The song, originally released on the Overcomers compilation CD is one of the hottest hip hop singles on Manifest’s sophomore album Parables. Still in his 20's, Manifest is an industry icon in his native Bahamas having at least five of the tracks he’s sang, written, produced or collaborated on receive multiple nominations or awards in recent years. I Shall Rise is a cuss-free, uplifting anthem perfectly marinated with emotionally gripping opera vocals that many never imagined had a place in the hip-hop genre. Yet, Manifest proves why his company Dunamus Soundz Records is at the forefront of hip-hop in the Caribbean and why North American and European listeners are eagerly waiting to be served a plate of this creative concoction.

In fact, many of his fans have taken the opportunity to vote for him in the Marlin Awards catergory Record of The Year category by signing up and visiting www.caribbeanhour.com/marlin_awardz/album/albums.php which will close polls on Friday February 27. The Marlin Awards, held in The Bahamas has for many years been considered the Caribbean version of the Grammys.

Manifest is quietly taking over the music industry in stride already considered the prince of positive hip hop on his home turf. Fresh off of a tour to Atlanta, the Cayman Islands, dropping his new album in the Bahamas’ capital city, plus the Marlin nominations, Manifest has already given fans a peek of what’s to come in 2009. Yet, with his humble and gracious nature it’s hard to imagine that he transforms into a powerhouse live performer with a lyrical flow and command of rap and hip-hop’s major players. In fact, many who’ve heard him agree that he is worthy of the 20-plus awards he’s been nominated for in his lifetime. However, he only has one award in his studio and has even given some away to artists he felt are also worthy to be mentioned.

“The key is just focusing on being a good artist and then the rest will come if you are good at what you do,” stated Manifest. “I am who I am because of ‘Who's I am’, not because of awards - ya know. I just do my very best and don’t settle for anything less than greatness, at least to me.”

For more information visit http://www.dunamussoundz.com/.