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."
Rockin' Me
Manafest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at me, what you see?
Is it him or me? Critic's is dissing me hard was this meant to be?
The feeling I'm feeling is real, and it's stealing, the meaning to stay in this field
Many men of tried it, few have ever made it
Most taken out fighting sin temptations
I separate my English, like the French
When I fall, get down repent, what don't ye get?
Chorus
Rocking me constantly, being somebody, the pressures is calling me
God and society Break Down Chorus
If do I could fall, if I don't I will crawl.
It's so hard having all, isn't this what I want
I stepped out, fell down, Got up, what now
Verse II
Put yourself in my shoes, with my crew,
I lose take a ride right through my mind, birds eye view
I stopped caring what yall think a year ago, here we go, radio, video,
Stereo, types cause I'm white, the harder I write, the more lies on my life
Ye tell it in spite
Right to my face, or stab me in the back
Manic depressive no, but I might just snap
Verse III
This position's warn out, I want out
It's what I wanted not what I thought
It was when I was poor now I'm cornered
Knowing now it's in the past with the wack raps
I'm signing 99 hundred 9 lines of autographs
Most significant feeling like I'm infinite
Critics used to kick my backside now they kissing it
What a switch up, thought I'd a give up
Ridiculous, how I ended up, so what
I ain't so different, yeah I'm a Christian
Living still winning you got counterfeit religion
I say it in my lines in ye face up to rise
You hating on something that you ain't even tried
In "Rockin' Me," Manafest explores the struggles of fame and the pressure to constantly be "somebody" in the music industry. He questions whether people see him for himself or as a representation of someone else or something else. Critics have been "dissing" him hard, but he tries to remind himself that the feeling he has for music is real and important to him. It steals his meaning to stay in the field of music, which makes him question whether it's what he truly wants or if he's just trying to prove something.
Manafest admits that being in the music industry is hard, and it's a constant battle against temptation and sin. He tries to separate himself from the negativity and focus on the music he's making, but it's not always easy. He gets a lot of hate for being a white rapper, and the more successful he becomes, the more lies people tell about him. He feels like he's constantly being judged, whether it's to his face or behind his back. He admits that he's not immune to the stress and pressure of fame and may snap at any moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me, what you see?
What impression do you have of me when you see me?
Is it him or me? Critic's is dissing me hard was this meant to be?
Are you confused if it's me or someone else? The critics are harshly criticizing me, is this what I deserve?
The feeling I'm feeling is real, and it's stealing, the meaning to stay in this field
The emotions I'm experiencing are genuine, and they are taking away my desire to continue in this occupation.
Many men of tried it, few have ever made it
Numerous people have attempted to succeed in this field, but only a small fraction have prevailed.
Most taken out fighting sin temptations
Most individuals are eliminated while struggling to resist sinful temptations.
I separate my English, like the French
I intentionally use distinct forms of English in a similar manner to how the French use their variations of language.
When I fall, get down repent, what don't ye get?
I admit my mistakes, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. Why is this concept so difficult for some to comprehend?
Rocking me constantly, being somebody, the pressures is calling me
I'm being constantly influenced, and the responsibilities of someone of importance are increasing as a result.
God and society Break Down Chorus
The breakdown of my relationship with God and society is reflected in the chorus.
If do I could fall, if I don't I will crawl.
If I make a mistake, I will fall. If I don't, I will continue on but at a slower pace.
It's so hard having all, isn't this what I want
Having everything is challenging, am I sure this is what I was seeking?
I stepped out, fell down, Got up, what now
I took a risk, failed, recovered, and now what is the next step?
Put yourself in my shoes, with my crew, I lose take a ride right through my mind, birds eye view
Imagine being in my position, with my colleagues, and experiencing the reality of it from an outside perspective.
I stopped caring what yall think a year ago, here we go, radio, video, Stereo, types cause I'm white, the harder I write, the more lies on my life, Ye tell it in spite
I stopped worrying about your opinions a year ago, and now I'm moving forward with radio, video, and stereo. My race causes stereotypes, and the better I write, the more rumors are spread despite the truth.
Right to my face, or stab me in the back, Manic depressive no, but I might just snap
Whether you confront me directly or betray me covertly, it may push me past my limits even though I'm not clinically depressed.
This position's warn out, I want out, It's what I wanted not what I thought, It was when I was poor now I'm cornered, Knowing now it's in the past with the wack raps
This position is tiresome and unsatisfactory, I want to leave. It's not what I expected, but it was preferable to being poor. Now, I'm trapped by it. I recognize that the poorly categorized raps are in the past.
I'm signing 99 hundred 9 lines of autographs, Most significant feeling like I'm infinite, Critics used to kick my backside now they kissing it
I'm signing thousands of autographs, and it feels significant. I feel eternal. The critics who used to disparage me now praise me.
What a switch up, thought I'd a give up, Ridiculous, how I ended up, so what
It's a drastic change. I intended to quit, but I ended up here regardless of how absurd it sounds.
I ain't so different, yeah I'm a Christian, Living still winning you got counterfeit religion
I'm not that different from others. Yes, I'm a Christian, and I continue to gain success. You have a false sense of faith.
I say it in my lines in ye face up to rise, You hating on something that you ain't even tried
I state it plainly in my lyrics, even if it is not popular. You are unfairly judging something you have not even attempted.
Contributed by Muhammad J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.