Epiphany (Manafest album)
2005 studio album by Manafest
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Epiphany is the second studio album by Christian rapper Manafest. It was released July 19, 2005 under BEC Recordings.[4][5] The release also marks Manafest's first label album, as well as the start of his long-time affiliation with BEC.
| Epiphany | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 19, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2004–2005 | |||
| Genres | Christian hip hop, rap rock | |||
| Length | 47:03 | |||
| Label | BEC | |||
| Producers | Adam Messinger, Chris Stacey | |||
| Manafest chronology | ||||
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The album contains the single "Skills" featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch.[6][7]
Critical reception
As the album was Manafest's first step out of an independent status, the release only garnered a few glances from professional music sites and reviews. They were however, generally positive.
About.com applauded the album and stated: "On his debut release with BEC Recordings, Manafest brings a variety of beats to the table. Some serious rock licks back him up on some cuts, while he goes a little old school on others and then shifts to a more modern hip-hop sound on a few more. Lyrically, Manafest covers ground from witnessing to others to the pressures of living in the 21st century to living for God. Overall, this is a strong debut and it makes a big statement for this young artist."[1] Paul Portell of Jesus Freak Hideout went on to say that "Manafest's debut may take more than a listen or two to fully appreciate his talent and attempts at songwriting. If you're a music fan that isn't too picky on diversity within the confines of an individual project that fuses rock and hip-hop together, then Epiphany is the project for you."[2]
Awards
The album was awarded "Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year" for the 27th GMA Canada Covenant Awards.[8] The same year, the song "Let It Go", off the album, also won "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year".[8] The following year, the music video for the song "Rodeo" was nominated for "Video of the Year".[8]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rodeo" | Chris Greenwood, Chris Stacey | Chris Stacey, Manafest | 3:14 |
| 2. | "Skills" (featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch) | Greenwood, Trevor McNevan, Adam Messinger | Adam Messinger | 3:10 |
| 3. | "What I Got to Say" | Greenwood, Gerhard Thomas, Messinger | That Brotha Lokey | 3:59 |
| 4. | "Rockin' Me" | Greenwood, Stacey | Stacey, Manafest | 3:10 |
| 5. | "Not Ready to Die" | Greenwood, Thomas, Messinger | That Brotha Lokey | 3:15 |
| 6. | "U Don't Know Me" | Greenwood, Stacy | Stacey | 3:58 |
| 7. | "Quit Thuggin'" | Greenwood, Mark Morley | Relic the Oddity | 1:21 |
| 8. | "Let It Go" (featuring Bre) | Greenwood, Thomas, Messinger, Aubrey Noronha, Nasri Atweh | That Brotha Lokey | 4:03 |
| 9. | "Changes" | Greenwood, Messinger | Messinger, Manafest | 2:50 |
| 10. | "Manafesto" | Greenwood, Morley | Relic the Oddity | 3:09 |
| 11. | "Stressed Out" | Greenwood, Messinger | Messinger, Manafest | 3:39 |
| 12. | "My Life" | Greenwood, Stacey | Stacey | 3:39 |
| 13. | "Be Yourself" (hidden track: "Jimmy") | Greenwood, Josh Macintosh | Manafest, Josh Macintosh | 7:36 |
| Total length: | 47:03 | |||
- Track 3, 6, 9, 10, 11 & 12 originally on My Own Thing.
Personnel
- Manafest - lead vocals, executive producer
- Trevor McNevan - additional vocals on track 2
- Aubrey "Bre" Noronha - additional vocals on track 8
- Jusachyl - additional vocals on track 15
- Aisha Jess - backing vocals on track 8
- Chris Stacey - opening vocals on track 1
- Relic the Oddity (Mark Morley) - scratching on track 10
- Melanie Greenwood - graphic design, photography
Music videos
Notes
- Epiphany was released on July 19, which also happens to be Manafest's birthday.[9]
- The hidden track on track 13 entitled "Jimmy" was later released on the iTunes deluxe edition of Epiphany as its own track.[4]
- The deluxe edition bonus track "Mind Master" was a demo song created in 2000, a year before Manafest's debut EP Misled Youth.[4]
- The song "Let It Go" is not to be confused with Manafest's 2015 single "Let Go", featuring Dave Stovall of Wavorly.[10]
- In second verse of the song "Manafesto", Manafest makes a reference to his old nickname "Speedy" from his days as a skater when he states "They call me speedy, so I'm easy on the breaks".[11]