For many pepople the mention of Manga will lead you to images of chart topping success alongside Roll Deep. However Manga is now looking to branch out on his own (don’t worry he has not left Roll Deep) and after the success of his last mixtape ‘The Adventures Of….’ it’s easy to see why.
The first step is the release of his latest single ‘NO MC‘ which will be dropping on September 25th as part of an EP via Launchpad Records. We caught up with Manga to discuss the new single, UK music scene and the future. Read our exclusive interview below.
HTF: Hi Manga, how are you?
Manga: I’m good,lifes treating me well at the moment. I’m being kept busy & I’ve got food in belly & nice trainers on my feet so I can’t complain.
HTF: Your about to release ‘No MC’ via Launchpad Recordings on September 25th, for those that have yet to hear the track, how would you describe it?
Manga: It’s grime in it’s purest form, it’s got a pirate radio feel to it with just pure energery & vibes.
HTF: What has the reception to ‘No MC’ been?
Manga: Crazy so far, I was just going to give it out for free,but when people heard it they were really feeling it saying it could be grime track of the year, so I thought I would release it properly.
HTF: It’s a Grime track at heart, how do you think your more mainstream Roll Deep fan will take to it?
Manga: I think they’ll like it,but I did do this for the people who’s been with us from the start. So yeah it is more for them.
HTF: Your about to drop ‘Obzokey Wranglings’, firstly where did the name came from?
Manga: Obzokey is a word I made up that means,just doing a normal thing in a next way. With the project I recorded it all by myself. Pressing record and then running in the booth,trying to do it in one take. Wranglings is just a word for doing your normal day to day stuff. so…yeah ‘Obzokey Wranglings’
HTF: What can we expect from this mixtape after the success of ‘The Adventures Of…’?
Manga: This is my best release to date by far, I’ve put a lot of myself into it. Thats why the range of songs are so different,I’ve got a lot of Grime,hip hop dustup & more emotional straight from the heart songs. I’m just being myself on this cd.
HTF: When will it be released and where can we get a copy?
Manga: Its out on Oct 2nd.Its going to be a free download, so just type it in on google & you’ll definantely get a link for it. Im pressing up copies aswell so if you see me you can get a physical copy too.
HTF: Obviously a lot of people will know you more from your success with Roll Deep, but you started out before that, what advice would you give to the current crop of youngsters coming through?
Manga: Keep at it,thats all I can say. The amount of times I wanted to give up is crazy. Its not easy,but it can be done.
HTF: What do you think of the current success of UK artists within the charts?
Manga: It’s inspirational, the up & coming artists can really see if they work had there’s success to be had in this country. I hope we keep it like this forever.
HTF: Will we see a lot more solo stuff from you in the future?
Yeah Im working very hard right now, already started on my next project so yeah aswell as Rolldeep stuff you’ll see me on my own too.
HTF: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us, would you like to add anything?
Manga: Yeah thanks for reading, I hope my font was entertaining & my words were witty & full of information. follow me on twitter for similar ramblings www.twitter.com/rolldeepmanga …..Thankswickedcoolsafe
