Manafest

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Manafest

Background information

Birth name Christopher Scott Greenwood

Born July 19, 1979 (age 38)

Origin Pickering, Ontario, Canada

Christian hip hop

Genres
hard rock

rap rock

alternative rock

Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, rapper

Instruments Vocals

Years active 2000present

Labels BEC

Associated acts Thousand Foot Krutch

Website manafest.com

Chris Scott Greenwood (born July 19, 1979), better known by his stage name Manafest, is a
Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario. He has been nominated and
won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, and Juno
Awards. Signed for almost a decade with BEC Recordings, Manafest became fully
independent as of early 2015 and continues to write and record music.[1][2]
When asked about the meaning and development of his stage name, Greenwood has stated "it
means to be a light in a dark place because when anything is made Manifest it's because it's
been exposed by the light. I've always wanted my music to be encouraging and shine light or
my perspective on life."[3]

Contents
[hide]

1Biography
2Musical style
3Discography
4Awards and recognition
5Touring band
6Guest appearances
7Other projects
8Personal life
9References
10External links

Biography[edit]
Beginnings and early years (2000-2009)
After a skateboarding accident in 1998,[4][5] Chris Greenwood shifted his focus to musical
writing. He and fellow rapper Jusachyl started a hip-hop group entitled Under One
King.[3][6] During this time, Greenwood used his skater nickname of 'Speedy' as his
monkier.[3] However in 2000, Greenwood shifted to the stage name Manafest and began to
produce music independently under the new persona.[5][3]
In 2001, Manafest debuted with 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.[7]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.[8][9] This led to his signing with an internationally distributed label, BEC
Recordings under the Uprok Records label.[9]
After signing on with BEC, Manafest released his second album Epiphany in 2005.[9] The
release achieved several nominations and awards.[7]
In 2006, Manafest released his third album Glory. The album received critical success and
went on to win Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards, as
well as receiving the artist a nomination for Artist of the Year.[7] The album also marked
Manafest's first release to be nominated in the Juno Awards.
In 2008, Manafest's fourth album Citizens Activ was debuted to similar success receiving many
nominations, as well as awards.[7] The album boosted Manafest's fame and reputation
in Japanimmensely.[10][11]
Mainstream breakthrough (2010)
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.[12][13] 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.[14]
In 2012, Manafest 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.[15] Because of this album's release, Manafest fans have since
become known officially as "Fighters" amongst themselves, as well as Manafest himself.[16]
In late 2013, Manafest released his first Christmas single "California Christmas", featuring Joel
Piper.[17][18] The track was additionally featured BEC's Christmas compilation
release Christmastime All Year.[19][20]
In 2014, Manafest released his seventh album The Moment.[21] The genre of the release
deviated from his hard rock style and featured a more electronic hip hop sound.
Reborn and Stones (2015)
In late 2014, Manafest 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.[8] The song was recently pulled from iTunes (it is however still available in Manafest's
store[22]). Manafest has also hinted it might make his next album's track listing.[8]
On April 24, 2015, Manafest announced a new PledgeMusic campaign for his next full-length,
fully independent album, Reborn.[1][23][24] The album released globally on October 2, 2015.
When first announcing Reborn, Manafest also alluded to the fact his next album is already
planned to be a rock record.[1][25]
A new single called "I Won't Give Up" was released on April 29, 2016 from the album Stones.
On their 2016 album Hold the Light, Bread of Stone featured Manafest on the track
"Battleground".[26]

Musical style[edit]
Manafest's genre has developed and changed over the entirety of his career. Originally starting
with a classic feel of urban hip hop for his first four releases, Manafest then developed a style
of alternative rock and rap rock by lightly mixing it into Citizens Activ, and fully integrating it by
the time of The Chase. In 2014, with the release of The Moment, Manafest's style then
changed to a "hybrid" mixture of rap rock and electronic-based hip-hop.[27][28] Manafest's 2015
album Reborn returned to his roots of straighter hip-hop as a way to reflect his return to
independent status.[29]Presently, Manafest's latest release Stones returns to the same hard
rock/rap rock style of The Chase and Fighter.[30]
Manafest is typically compared to other Christian rappers of his genre including Andy
Mineo, Lecrae, KJ-52, Tedashii, and Shonlock. Musically, Manafest's rock style is often
grouped with other Christian hard rock acts such as Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet, and Red.

Discography[edit]
Main article: Manafest discography
Studio albums

My Own Thing (2003)

Epiphany (2005)
Glory (2006)
Citizens Activ (2008)
 The Chase (2010)
Fighter (2012)
The Moment (2014)
Reborn (2015)
Stones (2017)

Awards and recognition[edit]

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[31]
2007 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Bounce"
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)[32]
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

Touring band[edit]
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 guitar (2010present)[33]

John Panzer (2016present)
Ian Hough bass (2015present)[34]
Tyler Armenta drums (2016present)
Former

Mike Crofts guitar (20102015)[35]

Joe Rickard drums (20142016)[36]
Travis Blackmore drums (20102013)[37]

Guest appearances[edit]

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

Other projects[edit]
Stories Since Seventy Nine
In late 2012, Manafest independently released a side project EP, Stories Since Seventy
Nine,[38] that deviated slightly from his normal style and had a softer, pop sound, as well as
more vocal singing (as compared to rapping) than his main work.[39] The release contains
Manafest's 2013 single "Overboard".[40]
Fighter book release
In late 2013, Manafest penned and published his first book, Fighter: Five Keys to Conquering
Your Fear and Reaching Your Dreams.[5][41][42] He plans to produce another book and do more
public speaking in the future, as well as teach special seminars for people aspiring to enter the
music industry.[8]
Smart Music Business/Fanbase University
In 2014, Manafest began posting videos on a YouTube channel entitled Smart Music
Business.[43] The channel contained videos regarding tips, strategies, trick, and advice
regarding the music industry and how to make it a career.[44][2][45]
In 2015, Manafest launched a full official online curriculum music course entitled Fanbase
University which focuses on training independent aspiring music artists and giving them
practical tools to make it in the music industry, with an emphasis on not signing yourself to a
record label.[46]
Presently, Manafest still currently runs the music course and channel actively.

Personal life[edit]
In 1984, at the age of five, Chris Greenwood lost his father to suicide, leaving only him, his
sister Virginia, and his mother.[5][47] A few years after, at a Bible camp,[48] he accepted Christ and
became a Christian.[5] At the same camp, he also met his future wife, Melanie.[48] Around the
age of fourteen, Greenwood invested himself into skateboarding and aspired to make it a
career.[5]He however experienced an accident in 1998 which crippled his dreams to become a
professional skater.[4][5][47] After hearing God telling him to turn his attention to music,
Greenwood began songwriting and started his career as a Christian artist.[5][8][49]
In 2003, Greenwood married his wife Melanie Cardoza.[8] Besides being a part-time
model,[8] she runs the graphic design company Vision City (which designs the concepts for
many of Manafest's designs, promotionals, and merchandise).[50] In March 2014, they had their
first child and daughter, London Grace Greenwood.[51][52]
In 2012, Greenwood and his wife moved to Los Angeles, California.[8][53] In October 2015, he
and his family moved back to Toronto, Canada.[54]

References[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Manafest - New Album Pledge Music
Campaign". YouTube. April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b "Why I don't Want a Record Deal - Chris
Greenwood". YouTube. April 20, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b c d "Manafest Explains the Meaning Behind the
Name 'Manafest'". BC News: BREATHEcast. July 5, 2012.
Retrieved September 22, 2017.
4. ^ Jump up to:a b "Manafest - Skate Accident Story". YouTube.
April 26, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
5. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h "Manafest, a "Fighter" in Life -
Interview". YouTube. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March
16, 2015.
6. Jump up^ "Manafest Music - Reviews". Christian Music Town.
Retrieved September 25, 2017.
7. ^ Jump up to:a b c d "Covenant Awards Archives".
GMACanada.ca. Archived from the original on December 18,
2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
8. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h "Manafest Listening Party Live
Q&A". YouTube. August 19, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Epiphany review on Jesus Freak Hideout".
Jesus Freak Hideout. August 1, 2005. Retrieved March
22, 2015.
10. Jump up^ "Manafest: Canadian gospel rapper with a surprising
Japanese following". Cross Rhythms. October 15, 2008.
Retrieved June 23, 2015.
11. Jump up^ "The Chase review by Cross Rhythms". Cross
Rhythms. June 26, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
12. Jump up^ "The Chase Award History on AllMusic". AllMusic.
Retrieved March 22, 2015.
13. Jump up^ "Manafest Celebrates First Career No. 1
Single". Rapzilla. August 31, 2011. Retrieved February
28, 2015.
14. Jump up^ "Covenant Awards Archives". GMACanada.ca.
Archived from the original on December 18, 2014.
Retrieved June 24,2015.
15. Jump up^ "Dove Awards Announce "Hip-Hop/Rap Album of the
Year" Nominations". Rapzilla. August 21, 2013. Retrieved March
22, 2015.
16. Jump up^ "PledgeMusic:
Manafest Reborn Logo". PledgeMusic. July 10, 2015.
Retrieved July 10, 2015.
17. Jump up^ ""California Christmas" single on iTunes". iTunes.
Retrieved June 22, 2015.
18. Jump up^ "Manafest "California Christmas" Music
Video". YouTube. December 9, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
19. Jump up^ "Christmastime All Year on iTunes". iTunes.
Retrieved June 22, 2015.
20. Jump up^ "Manafest "California Christmas" Lyric
Video". YouTube. December 2, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
21. Jump up^ Jase Spiegel (December 24, 2012). "INTERVIEW:
MANAFEST'". RockRevolt Magazine.
22. Jump up^ ""Let Go" Single on Manafest's official
store". Shopify. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
23. Jump up^ "Manafest
PledgeMusic Reborn Campaign". PledgeMusic. Retrieved April
24, 2015.
24. Jump up^ "Manafest Going Independent With 9th Studio
Album". New Release Today. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August
4,2015.
25. Jump up^ "Manafest Replies to Fan and Confirms His Future
Rock Record". Facebook. September 14, 2015.
Retrieved September 15, 2015.
26. Jump up^ "Hold the Light by Bread of Stone on
iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
27. Jump up^ "Manafest Prepares to Release Reborn Oct. 2". New
Release Today. August 7, 2015. Retrieved September 15,2015.
28. Jump up^ "Manafest Returns To Indie Roots,
Release Reborn Oct. 2". Jesus Freak Hideout. August 7, 2015.
Retrieved September 13, 2015.
29. Jump up^ "Manafest X PledgeMusic
Interview Reborn". YouTube. May 22, 2015.
Retrieved September 15, 2015.
30. Jump up^ "JFH News: Manafest Releases 1st Rock Album In 5
Years,Stones, July 21". Jesus Freak Hideout. July 18, 2017.
Retrieved July 27, 2017.
31. Jump up^ 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.
32. Jump up^ Manafest was also nominated as GMAC Artist of the
Year in 2009. GMAC 2009 Covenant Award
 Nominees ArchivedJune 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine..
Retrieved October 25, 2009.
33. Jump up^ "Josh Macintosh on LinkedIn". LinkedIn.
Retrieved March 21, 2015.
34. Jump up^ "Ian Hough on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March
31, 2015.
35. Jump up^ "Mike Crofts on GHS". GHS. Retrieved March
21, 2015.
36. Jump up^ "Joe Rickard on Instagram". Instagram. January 6,
2013. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
37. Jump up^ "Travis Blackmore tells fan he is no longer with
Manafest". Instagram. March 11, 2013. Retrieved March
21, 2015.
38. Jump up^ "Chris Greenwood (Manafest) Releases Side
Project Stories Since Seventy Nine". Indie Vision Music. August
22, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
39. Jump up^ "Manafest on TVU's Most Wanted -
Interview". YouTube. October 16, 2012. Retrieved March
31, 2015.
40. Jump up^ "Manafest Overboard". Indie Vision Music. July 29,
2013. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
41. Jump up^ "Fighter book Official Website". Fighterbook.net.
Retrieved March 31, 2015.
42. Jump up^ "International Rock Artist Manafest Sets His Story To
Pen Releasing His First Book Fighter October 2013". Jesus
Freak Hideout. September 16, 2013. Retrieved March 31,2015.
43. Jump up^ "Smart Music Business YouTube
channel". YouTube. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
44. Jump up^ "Smart Music Business official website". Smart Music
Business. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
45. Jump up^ "How I Got Signed and Why I Went Independent -
Chris Greenwood". YouTube. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July
12,2017.
46. Jump up^ "Fanbase University official website". YouTube. June
22, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
47. ^ Jump up to:a b "Interview: Manafest". Christian Revolt.
Retrieved March 16, 2015.
48. ^ Jump up to:a b "Manafest "Reborn" Behind The Scenes Song
Explanation". YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
49. Jump up^ "Manafest - A Fighter Isn't Someone Who Never
Fails, A Fighter is Someone Who Never Quits". YouTube. June
15, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
50. Jump up^ "Vison City Art Shop on Esty". Esty. Retrieved June
22,2015.
51. Jump up^ "Manafest Announces Seventh Album The
Moment". BEC Recordings. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
52. Jump up^ "Manafest announces his new daughter". Facebook.
March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2015. Drum roll please. I
am proud to announce the birth of my daughter "London Grace
Greenwood"
53. Jump up^ Argyrakis, Andy. "Moment at a Time - CCM
MagazineReview 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.
 54. Jump up^ "PledgeMusic: Manafest Reborn Bonus
Songs!". PledgeMusic. October 5, 2015. Retrieved October
5, 2015.

External links[edit]
Official website
Hip Hop Canada interview, accessed October 26, 2006
Rapzilla interview, accessed November 2006

[hide]

Manafest

Discography

ty Nine

73fe884-b13e-47cc-a2d9-603a34289796

Categories:
Canadian Christians
Canadian performers of Christian music
Performers of Christian hip hop music
Canadian rappers
Canadian rock singers
 Canadian heavy metal singers
Rap rock musicians
1979 births
Living people
Musicians from Toronto
BEC Recordings artists
People from Pickering, Ontario
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