MannyWellz @ Union Stage
Are you the sole creative director for the show?
This Was Produced By Will @REDEYEEASY A DC GRAPHIC DESIGNER
"I had a lot of help putting the show together. I Have an amazing partnership with House Studios. We planned, practiced , and put the show together. I Also had help from my band and PR team to help curate this crazy event!"
How was that experience and what did you choose to add or omit from the scenery and why?
It was a crazy experience working with all those around me. Everyone did their part and that’s why we sold it out! In the planning stages we omitted some slight musical arrangements that were dope but wasn’t necessarily needed for the night.
Were you influenced by any artists while creating your show?
I’m not sure if I was influenced by any artists while creating the show but I’ve studied the greats and people I admire in the past. Kendrick, Kanye, Lauryn, Bob Marley and many more.
What vibe/emotions/feelings are you aiming to transfer with your audience throughout the show?
"For the show, I wanted to give people an experience. Wanted them to see and hear SoulFro come to life and touch various genres, styles, and cultures.
For the ‘Early Comers’...
Little Bacon Bear of 93.9, spun for at least an hour and had everyone feeling their drinks while waiting for Sydney Franklin & Mannywellz. She played recent hits from 2 Chainz and Jay-Z and even took us back with classics like Juvenile’s “Nolia Clap” and “Throw Some D’s” by Rich Boy.
After being transported to 2006 by Little Bacon Bear’s playlist, the abruptly dimmed lights gathered the audience to the stage, alerting us that the show was now starting.
Sydney Franklin dressed in her black pajama style top and dark gray jeans took to the stage with her band ready to make some music and create an atmosphere full of soul. Sydney harmonized beautifully along the electric guitar played by band member Danny Roberts. She belted sweet sounds of how she had things figured out before meeting “you”; the message of her song “Figured Out” that many of us can relate to.
Sydney sang some other songs from her EP : Make it Hurt before performing her own mash up of Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. The ensemble did a fantastic job of preparing the crowd for MannyWellz.
What inspired SoulFro the album?
The things/people that inspired SoulFro are God, culture, family, and life experiences.
Mannywellz came out knowing that his audience was in for a treat (figuratively and literally).
He graced the stage with unconcealed energy, using all of the space to show off his dance moves and to interact directly with his fans.
Manny performed his Afro-beats and soulful music inspired album, “SoulFro” along with some fan favorite singles, such as “Alright” -- his own rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s hit which shook the nation 2015. Manny sang this song with felt intensity -- his body bent over and eyes shut tight, he bellowed into the microphone that “we gon’ be alright!” After a shared moment between him and his audience thinking back to heightened events over the past few years, involving people of color in the U.S and police, he set a new tone by reminding us all that the only way positive change will come about is by working together and spreading love. And with this message he transitioned effortlessly into “One Love” by Bob Marley, urging us to “get together and feel alright”.
Favorite Moment #1 was hearing the men sing along in unison to “Wrong Place” and form a bond of brotherhood in the tragic saga played out in the song of women looking in the wrong place for love. Females felt it too (perhaps a moment of self reflection for some).
To showcase his ‘Afro-inspiration’ Manny donned stylistic red & gold ankara pants with a black button down, and clean white sneakers -- truly a vision. But he didn’t stop there;
To compliment his sound, he would intermittently bang on either a set of bongo drums, or a talking drum.
Favorite Moment #2 had to have been when MannyWellz invited his 3 younger siblings on stage to help him introduce his next song “Watermelon”, by doing what? Passing out pieces of watermelon to the crowd! A great treat indeed for the crowd, and his siblings alike.
Manny left a piece of himself on that stage, confiding in his audience about his past and recent struggles as an immigrant to America from Nigeria. He is currently facing possible deportation as a DACA recipient. Not alone however, a few of his DACA friends were in attendance and let him know that they were there in full support of his American residency and of his music. “We see you, we love you!” they chanted in unison as he stood in awe receiving their love. A tear worthy moment indeed.
And our Favorite Moment #3 was Mannywellz’s ode to to DC Gogo. He and his band played a quick set of Gogo beats which really got the crowd hype, (as if we weren’t just excited for the watermelon).
All in all, this performance was amazing. Mannywellz is a true performer who knows how to resonate with his audience, we laughed, we cried, we sang, we dance, heck we even ate! He shared himself with us musically, personally, and even jumped off stage to dance with us in the crowd.
What would you like for your audience to take away from the concert about you as an artist?
I want my audience to take away the fact that I love what I do and I’m here to stay. I want them to see that I enjoy everything music and because of that I want them to experience that with me. I also want them to know I value their time so I’ll always make sure I give them the best show possible.
So the question remains, was it poppin?
yes, it absolutely was!
THANK YOU MANNYWELLZ Mosaic Souls loves you and wishes you the absolute best!