Award-winning Ghanaian musician and Africa’s most innovative hip-hop artist M.ANIFEST is set to release his much-anticipated sixth studio album NEW ROAD & GUAVA TREES on March 13, 2025, via revered hip-hop label Mass Appeal. Known for his groundbreaking approach to music and cultural storytelling, M.anifest has once again crafted a body of work that pushes creative boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in his heritage. Featuring collaborations with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, The Cavemen., King Promise, A-Reece, and Bien from Sauti Sol, the album is a bold exploration of hip-hop, afrobeats, and highlife, paired with profound storytelling and lush sonic landscapes.
The album’s title is both metaphorical and personal, referencing M.anifest’s childhood in Madina, Ghana. “‘New Road & Guava Trees’ is about embarking on a fresh path,” he shares. “I grew up in a part of Madina called New Road, where we had a guava tree that symbolized growth and beginnings. This record is about the climb—facing challenges to reach the fruits of our labor.” Created between Accra, Seattle, and Los Angeles, the album represents a culmination of nearly two years of creative awakening and collaboration. Key sessions with longtime producer Budo (Doja Cat, Lil Yachty), alongside the likes of Grammy Award-nominated producer GuiltyBeatz (Beyonce, Jorja Smith), and MikeMillzOn’Em (Amaarae, DarkoVibes) resulted in a record that is both experimental and deeply emotive.
Each track on New Road & Guava Trees offers a distinct perspective, blending introspection, cultural commentary, and infectious grooves. The album seamlessly transitions between reflective storytelling and vibrant, danceable anthems, creating a rich and multi-dimensional listening experience. With New Road & Guava Trees, M.anifest charts a bold and fresh course, intertwining personal history with resonant themes of resilience, love, identity, hope, and self-discovery. This introspective yet outwardly expansive album cements his position as one of Africa’s most innovative artists, delivering music that bridges cultural divides and inspires listeners to embrace their own journeys. As M.anifest says, “You have to make the climb to get to the fruits of your labor, and this album is a reflection of that climb.”
The 14-track offering is a rich, genre-spanning journey that fuses introspection, cultural commentary, and experimental soundscapes in a way that only M.anifest knows how. The album opens with ‘Time Catch’, a triumphant call to action, symbolizing the urgency of seizing the moment, with tracks like ‘Eye Red’ offering a raw portrayal of youth desperation amid systemic failures, while ‘Wine And Blues’ paints a vivid picture of navigating life’s challenges with strength and grace. The album’s lead single ‘Puff Puff’, featuring The Cavemen. and Red Hot Chili Peppers legend Flea, blends hip-hop, jazz, and highlife to deliver a soulful anthem on the resilience we need to navigate through life’s many challenges.
The album’s narrative deepens with ‘Spirit Riddim’, a breezy ode to carefree summer moments, while love takes centre stage on ‘My God’, a poignant exploration of tortured devotion, and ‘Ease My Mind’, a tender celebration of imperfect love. ‘Hang My Boots’ featuring King Promise serves as a heartfelt anthem of love and commitment that celebrates leaving the chaos behind. ‘Highlands’ offers hope for those born into adversity, affirming the soul’s eternal resilience, and the reflective closing track ‘Second Hand’ meditates on life’s cyclical nature. Through this captivating collection, and resonant body of work, M.anifest reaffirms his status as Africa’s most innovative hip-hop artist.
