He is also a skater, which led to his career in hip hop; after an accident in 1998, he took time to focus on rap and was noticed by Trevor McNevan of Ontario-based band Thousand Foot Krutch. This led to his signing to an internationally distributed label, BEC Recordings, and debut release Epiphany, which was made primarily of West Coast hip hop with several rapcore outings in the vein of Limp Bizkit.
He released two independent albums, Mislead Youth (2001) and My Own Thing (2003), prior to Epiphany in 2005. He has toured in Canada, the United States and Ireland to date.
His second album, Glory, emphasized rap-rock elements with more Linkin Park-esque nu metal, and included more authentic hip hop stylings.
Central themes of Manafest's music include nonconformity, hip hop culture, and walking with God.
Manafest says in regards to Glory that: "I wanted to allow all of my influences show on Glory. Musically, I wanted to blend the appeal of Linkin Park, Sum 41, and The Beastie Boys. Vocally, I wanted to merge that with popular hip hop à la Eminem and Kanye West. But beyond musical influence, I wanted to reflect on the issues around me in the most positive way possible. And whether I am talking about the loss of loved ones and abuse, or breakdancing and skate culture, it's all for the glory of heaven. In the end, my prayer is that people would not simply bob their heads to this, but feel a very real sense of healing from the words. However, this record is not all serious. Some of my favorite tracks are the most lighthearted ones."
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Manafest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Write my name keep it burning bright
Steal the night
Feel the flame gonna feed the fire
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Take a ride crazy train
Got ye hypnotized
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Set me on fire
Break free go higher
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
Dynamite
Beast mode
We come to life
Let it ride explode see the smoke rise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Come alive
Take a walk on the wild side
Mesmerized I'm caught by the sunshine
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Set me on fire
Break free go higher
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
Yeah watch it burn, come on
I'm on fire like a millionaire
Got nothing to lose except the smoke in here
Not going home but we can't stay here
Set it on fire like we just don't care
Set it on fire
Set it on fire
Just let it burn
Yeah
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Set me on fire
Break free go higher
Light it up
Gonna light it up up
Light it up
The lyrics to Manafest's song "Light It Up" are all about embracing your true self, breaking free from constraints, and letting your inner fire shine brightly. The opening lines, "Light the sky, write my name, keep it burning bright, steal the night, feel the flame, gonna feed the fire," convey the idea of leaving a lasting impact on the world and not being afraid to stand out. The repetition of "oh oh oh" adds a sense of energy and excitement to the lyrics, further emphasizing the theme of empowerment and self-expression.
The chorus, "Light it up, gonna light it up, set me on fire, break free go higher," is a call to action, inspiring listeners to ignite their passions, embrace their uniqueness, and reach for greater heights. The lyrics encourage individuals to let go of their inhibitions and embrace their wild side, as expressed in the lines "Come alive, take a walk on the wild side, mesmerized I'm caught by the sunshine."
The second half of the song continues to amplify the theme of freedom and self-discovery. The mention of being "on fire like a millionaire" suggests an unstoppable energy and determination, while the phrase "set it on fire like we just don't care" portrays a sense of reckless abandon and living in the moment.
Overall, "Light It Up" is an anthem for embracing individuality, breaking free from societal norms, and embracing a life filled with passion and purpose. It encourages listeners to let their inner fire burn bright and not be afraid to shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Light the sky
Illuminate the world around us
Write my name keep it burning bright
Leave a lasting impact and be remembered for our actions
Steal the night
Seize the darkness and make it our own
Feel the flame gonna feed the fire
Embrace the passion and use it to fuel our ambitions
Take a ride crazy train
Embark on an unpredictable, thrilling journey
Got ye hypnotized
Captivating and captivating your attention
Open eyes earthquake going worldwide
Awaken to the impact we can have on a global scale
Light it up
Ignite our potential and make it shine
Set me on fire
Inspire and motivate me to reach new heights
Break free go higher
Break free from limitations and strive for greatness
Dynamite
Exploding with energy and power
Beast mode
Unleashing our inner strength and determination
We come to life
Awakening and embracing our true selves
Let it ride explode see the smoke rise
Allowing ourselves to fully experience life's intensity and witnessing the impact we make
Come alive
Embark on a vibrant and fulfilling existence
Take a walk on the wild side
Embrace excitement and take risks
Mesmerized I'm caught by the sunshine
Enchanted and captivated by the bright moments in life
Yeah watch it burn, come on
Witness the fiery transformation and embrace it
I'm on fire like a millionaire
Burning with a passion and drive comparable to that of a successful individual
Got nothing to lose except the smoke in here
Fearlessly pursuing our dreams, not worrying about the obstacles that may arise
Not going home but we can't stay here
Moving forward and not settling for our current state
Set it on fire like we just don't care
Ignite our desires without hesitation or concern for judgment
Just let it burn
Allowing our passions to consume us completely
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Chris Greenwood, Matt Bronleewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind