Manafest
Manafest performing in 2010
Manafest performing in 2010
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Scott Greenwood
Born (1979-07-19) July 19, 1979
OriginPickering, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, rapper
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2000–present
LabelsBEC
Websitemanafest.com

Christopher Scott Greenwood (born July 19, 1979), known by his stage name Manafest, is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, and has been nominated for multiple Juno Awards. Signed for a decade with BEC Recordings, Manafest became independent in 2015.

History

After a skateboarding accident in 1998,[1][2] Greenwood shifted his focus to musical writing. He and fellow rapper Jusachyl started a hip-hop group, Under One King.[3][4] During this time, Greenwood used his skater nickname 'Speedy' as his moniker.[3] In 2000, Greenwood shifted to the stage name Manafest and began to produce music independently.[3]

In 2001, Manafest debuted his EP, Misled Youth. The release garnered "Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year" for the song "Freedom" at the GMA Canada Covenant Awards in 2002.[5] The following year, Manafest released his first full-length album My Own Thing and attracted the notice of Trevor McNevan of the Ontario-based rock band Thousand Foot Krutch.[6][7] This led to his signing with an internationally distributed label, BEC Recordings under the Uprok Records label.[7]

After signing on with BEC, he released his second album Epiphany in 2005,[7] The release achieved several nominations and awards.[5]

He released his third album, Glory, in 2006,. The album won the Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards, as well a nomination for Artist of the Year.[5] The album also marked Manafest's first release to be nominated in the Juno Awards.

In 2008, his fourth album, Citizens Activ, received many nominations and awards.[5] The album boosted Manafest's fame and reputation in Japan immensely.[8][9]

In 2010, Manafest debuted his fifth full-length album The Chase. The album was well-received with the single "Avalanche" charting on the Billboard Christian Songs, as well as selling over 50,000 copies of the track as of September 2011.[10][11] The album showcased a directional change for Manafest, moving from a more straight hip hop flare to a heavier rock-based rap style.

In 2011, Manafest released his first live album Live in Concert. The album won "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year" at the 33rd GMA Canada Covenant Awards.[12]

In 2012, he released his sixth studio album of Fighter. The album continued the previous release's heavy rock influence and garnered a nomination for Hip-Hop/Rap Album of the Year in the GMA Dove Awards.[13] Because of this album's release, Manafest fans have since become known officially as "Fighters" amongst themselves, as well as Manafest himself.[14]

In late 2013, he released his first Christmas single "California Christmas", featuring Joel Piper. In 2014, he released his seventh album The Moment.[15] The genre of the release deviated from his hard rock style and featured a more electronic hip hop sound.

In late 2014, he released the single "Let Go", featuring Dave Stovall of Wavorly. The track was a song that didn't make the final cut of The Moment and was later released by itself.[6] The song was briefly pulled from iTunes. He also hinted it might make his next album's track listing.[6]

He started a PledgeMusic campaign for Reborn on April 24, 2015.[16] The album released globally on October 2, 2015.

On their 2016 album Hold the Light, Bread of Stone featured Manafest on the track "Battleground".

On February 20, 2017, he launched a Kickstarter project for Stones.[17][18] It was independently released on July 21, 2017.[19] In May 2018, he launched another PledgeMusic campaign to fund Stones Reloaded,[20] a remix album and companion piece to the original album. The release was fully funded and publicly released on September 21, 2018.[21]

On September 17, 2019, after releasing several singles earlier in the year, he announced a new crowdfunding campaign in order to fund his tenth studio album This Is Not The End. The album was released on December 13, 2019.[22][23]

Manafest released his eleventh album I Run With Wolves on May 6, 2022, featuring Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. on the track "Nemesis".

Musical style and influences

Manafest's genre has developed and changed over his career. After starting with a classic urban hip hop style for his first four releases, Manafest developed a style of alternative rock and rap rock by lightly mixing it into Citizens Activ, and integrating it by the time of The Chase. In 2014, with the release of The Moment, Manafest's style changed to a mixture of rap rock and electronic-based hip-hop.[24][25]

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

GMA Canada Covenant Awards

  • 2002 Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year: "Freedom"
  • 2005 Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Epiphany
  • 2005 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Let It Go" (with Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, Aubrey Noronha and Gerhard Thomas)
  • 2006 nominee, Video of the Year: "Rodeo"
  • 2007 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: Glory[28]
  • 2007 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Bounce"
  • 2007 nominee, Artist of the Year
  • 2008 nominee, Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: Citizens Activ
  • 2008 nominee, Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Good Day" (with Adam Messinger)
  • 2009 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "4-3-2-1" (with Adam Messinger)[29]
  • 2009 nominee, Artist of the Year
  • 2010 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: The Chase
  • 2011 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: Live In Concert
  • 2011 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Avalanche"

GMA Dove Awards

  • 2007 nominee, Rap/Hip-Hip Recorded Song of the Year: "Skills"
  • 2007 nominee, Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Album of the Year: Glory
  • 2009 nominee, Rap/Hip-Hip Recorded Song of the Year: "So Beautiful"
  • 2009 nominee, Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Album of the Year: Citizens Activ
  • 2012 nominee, Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Album of the Year: Fighter

Juno Awards

  • 2007 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Glory
  • 2011 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: The Chase
  • 2015 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: The Moment
  • 2017 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Reborn
  • 2018 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Stones

Touring band

Though a solo artist himself, Manafest travels with a touring band. Adam Messinger has provided the majority of instrumentation for Manafest's studio releases throughout the years, while the band supplies the music live on tour and at shows:

Current

  • Josh Macintosh — lead guitar (2010–present)[30]
  • John Panzer – rhythm guitar (2016–present)[31]
  • Ian Hough – bass (2015–present)[32]
  • Tyler Armenta – drums (2016–present)

Former

  • Mike Crofts – bass (2010–2015)[33]
  • Joe Rickard – drums (2014–2016)[34]
  • Travis Blackmore – drums (2010–2013)[35]

Guest appearances

Song(s) Artist Album Year
"Abortion" 7Life For What It's Worth 2003
"The Real" N.I.F.T.Y. The Preface EP 2004
"The Seed" (remix) Aubrey Noronha Single 2013
"Battleground" Bread of Stone Hold the Light 2016

Personal life

In 1984, at the age of five, Chris Greenwood lost his father to suicide, leaving only him, his sister Virginia, and his mother.[2][36] A few years after, at a Bible camp,[37] he accepted Christ and became a Christian.[2] At the same camp, he also met his future wife, Melanie.[37] Around the age of fourteen, Greenwood invested himself into skateboarding and aspired to make it a career.[2] He however experienced an accident in 1998 which crippled his dreams to become a professional skater.[1][2][36] After hearing God telling him to turn his attention to music, Greenwood began songwriting and started his career as a Christian artist.[2][6][38]

In 2003, Greenwood married his wife Melanie Cardoza.[6] They have a daughter.[39]

In 2012, Greenwood and his wife moved to Los Angeles, California.[6][40] In October 2015, he and his family moved back to Toronto, Canada.

References

  1. 1 2 "Manafest - Skate Accident Story". April 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2015 – via YouTube.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Manafest, a "Fighter" in Life - Interview". February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2015 – via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 3 "Manafest Explains the Meaning Behind the Name 'Manafest'". BC News: BREATHEcast. July 5, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Manafest Music - Reviews". Christian Music Town. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Covenant Awards Archives". GMACanada.ca. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Manafest Listening Party Live Q&A". August 19, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2015 – via YouTube.
  7. 1 2 3 "Epiphany review on Jesus Freak Hideout". Jesus Freak Hideout. August 1, 2005. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Manafest: Canadian gospel rapper with a surprising Japanese following". Cross Rhythms. October 15, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Chase review by Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms. June 26, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ "The Chase Award History on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Manafest Celebrates First Career No. 1 Single". Rapzilla. August 31, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Covenant Awards Archives". GMACanada.ca. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Dove Awards Announce "Hip-Hop/Rap Album of the Year" Nominations". Rapzilla. August 21, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "PledgeMusic: Manafest Reborn Logo". PledgeMusic. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  15. ↑ Spiegel, Jase (December 24, 2012). "Interview: Manafest". Rock Revolt Magazine.
  16. ↑ "Manafest Going Independent With 9th Studio Album". New Release Today. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Manafest Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Upcoming Album Stones". New Release Today. February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  18. ↑ Ivy, Brandon (February 21, 2017). "Manafest Launches Kickstarter For New Album". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  19. ↑ "JFH News: Manafest Releases 1st Rock Album In 5 Years, Stones, July 21". Jesus Freak Hideout. July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Manafest Reloads with Remix Record Via Pledge Music". New Release Today. June 11, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Manafest Releasing Remix Album 'Stones Reloaded'". Louder Than Music. August 25, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  22. ↑ Nikkel, Mary (September 18, 2019). "Manafest Launches Campaign For New Album This Is Not The End". apostlesthatrockradio.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  23. ↑ J., Brandon (September 29, 2019). "Manafest to Release New Album This Is Not The End, Drops New Single". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Manafest Prepares to Release Reborn Oct. 2". New Release Today. August 7, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Manafest Returns To Indie Roots, Release Reborn Oct. 2". Jesus Freak Hideout. August 7, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Manafest to Release New Album 'This Is Not The End', Drops New Single - Music Videos, News". Indievisionmusic.com. September 29, 2019.
  27. ↑ "New Album I Run with Wolves". www.manafest.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  28. ↑ In 2007 Manafest also received GMAC nominations for: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year: Glory, and Recorded Song of the Year: "Bounce". CGMA 2007 Covenant Award Nominees Archived February 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  29. ↑ Manafest was also nominated as GMAC Artist of the Year in 2009. GMAC 2009 Covenant Award Nominees Archived June 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Josh Macintosh on LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  31. ↑ "John Panzer of Fight the Fury". Solid Rock Radio. April 24, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022. He has also been the touring guitarist for Veridia, Disciple, Manafest, and other rock bands in the faith-based music industry.
  32. ↑ "Ian Hough on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Mike Crofts on GHS". GHS. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Joe Rickard on Instagram". Instagram. January 6, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Travis Blackmore tells fan he is no longer with Manafest". Instagram. March 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  36. 1 2 "Interview: Manafest". Christian Revolt. December 25, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  37. 1 2 "Manafest "Reborn" Behind The Scenes Song Explanation". Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2015 – via YouTube.
  38. ↑ "Manafest - A Fighter Isn't Someone Who Never Fails, A Fighter is Someone Who Never Quits". June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via YouTube.
  39. ↑ "Manafest Announces Seventh Album The Moment". BEC Recordings. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  40. ↑ Argyrakis, Andy. "Moment at a Time - CCM Magazine Review of The Moment". CCM Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2015. I'm a very different person than I was a few years ago. Since my move to California and having a daughter, my perspective on life and music has changed.
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