The DMV Daily Interviews: Mannywellz

Who is Mannywellz?

Mannywellz is a genreless Nigerian artist/producer that creates from the Soul and loves to fuse various styles & genres together.

What’s your favorite Bible scripture and why?

My favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 because it gives me hope. It’s a constant reminder that my creator is always looking out for me

How did you get started making music?

I was pretty much born into music. Growing up I was always curious as to how certain big producers at that time made beats. I got introduced to Ryan Leslie at like age 15 and from that point I told myself that I was going to be a producer

What is your dad’s musical background and how has he inspired you or aided you as a musician?

I’m Nigerian, and I my dad makes Nigerian gospel music. He put me on stage at a very early age so I was introduced to performing in front of large crowds really early on. Learned a lot about entertaining people with your voice and being a leader!

What was it like growing up around music and what age did you begin to take your music career seriously?

Growing up around music was amazing, I started loving music at a very early age because it was always around. I decided to take my music career seriously at age 17 and then released my first project at age 18.

5 artists you want to collab with?.

I definitely want to get in with Kendrick Lamar one day, ASA, Lauryn Hill, Jon Bellion, Chance the Rapper, Charlie Puth. lol that’s 6 but I mess with those artists!

How did you meet Jidenna? How was it working with him?

I met Jidenna through a friend of mine who’s a photographer and it was dope working with him. He has a great team and was a blessing to be on a national tour with another Nigerian artist doing his thing and killing the game. Huge blessing!

What was your favorite part of being on the “Long Live The Chief” tour? What did you learn from that experience?

My favorite part on tour were the shows really. Was really cool to see the different kinds of people that attended the shows. I definitely learned how the backend of a tour runs. I payed attention to everything going on from the venues, to Jidenna’s team, and also what my team was doing.

What instruments do you play?

I play a little bit of everything from percussion, to Drums, piano, Guitar & some bass. I used to play the trumper in the 6th grade

During the making of “SoulFro” what artists, songs or albums were you listening to for inspiration?

During the making of SoulFro I don’t remember listening to much. Maybe because I didn’t feel like there was anything out there like I wanted to make.

What inspired “watermelon”? What is the meaning and how long did it take to record?

Life and experiences inspired Watermelon! It’s a song about betrayal, people claiming to be for you but nowhere to be found when things go wrong. I don’t remember exactly how long it took but I do remember writing the verses relatively quick because I didn’t have to think much about it. It felt natural

What was the hardest part about making “SoulFro”? What part of the album did you have the most fun doing?

I think the mixing was the hardest part. I was trying to get the best mixes with my engineer at House Studios. We did mad mixes for a song that we ended up not putting on the project.

What is your favorite song on the project and why?

My favorite song on the project might be ‘No I don’t’. I learned a lot about myself vocally and I also love the live/Jazz fusion to the song.

Follow Mannywellz on Twitter (@Mannywellz ) and stream his latest project  SoulFro, below.