Peace, First name / movemaker! It's Monday again and this particular moodmaker has my heart on a variety of levels — so much so that I've avoided writing this newsletter for a couple weeks out of fear of not getting it right. 

A true Grime legend with over two decades on the scene and the discography to prove it, Manga Saint Hilare. Manga is not only one of the most monumental Grime acts in existence, but is also a highly skilled visual artist, designer, media personality (dare I say comedian?). He's also someone who I look to up to greatly for personal & professional guidance whether it be through his music or content that helps to not only provide perspective, but some much needed comic relief to this silly, but beautiful life.

My first time meeting Manga below…(smh 🤦🏻‍♀️)

 

I met Manga back in 2019 on my first grime tour in London and I'm going to shamefully admit — I really didn't understand the gravity who he was at the time (even as I sat down at his home for an interview). I know, this sounds really unprofessional of me, but when I tell you that I was thrown into the grime scene (and this tour) with only enough time to prepare my own bars…I mean it. Everything else was me learning about grime culture in real-time, and wow, did I learn a lot from Manga that day (and for years to follow).

Today's Mood, “Seat At The Table” tells more of a story than I ever could in my feeble attempt at trying to explain Manga's journey. He's been at this for over 2 decades, and was a member of the pioneering Grime crew, Roll Deep, alongside Wiley “The Godfather of Grime” (if you need a reference point). Sometimes when I listen to Manga I feel like he's peering into my innermost thoughts and feelings.

 

To me, Manga represents perseverance, growth, and the true essence of turning self-worth into a superpower. Years of planting seeds through hard work, sheer relentlessness, and an undying passion have begun sprouting beautiful flowers for Manga. His garden has traveled globally and his art can not only be heard, but seen, felt, hung on a wall, and even worn. 

In an industry that can be unforgiving and a genre that has gone through it's lulls (i.e. the infamous saying that, “Grime is Dead”), Manga has truly carved his own path, rebirthing the culture and himself time and time again. It wasn't always easy, and from an outside perspective (or maybe an inside one if I look back at that interview), it even seems that only as of recent is Manga fully reaping the fruits of all of his labor — but this time at a table that he carved, seats and all.

 

“If you're doing it because you love it, you love the culture, or the art, or the ting, 
it's never gone…" 
- Manga Saint Hilare, AG Interview 2019