Canadian-born Chris Greenwood, also known as Manafest, began his music career by performing at churches, prisons, and everywhere in between.
Known for infusing hip-hop and rock music, Manafest decided to focus on his rap career after getting in a skateboarding accident in 1998.
Having a difficult childhood, Chris used music and faith to survive. “I got picked on as a kid, bullied at public school. I was shy and overweight, so I wrote this about standing up for yourself and not being afraid to be a true individual,” he says. “My mom dragged me to church after my father's passing; faith in God has helped me through a lot.”
After releasing two albums independently, Manafest caught the attention of record executives and released his debut album Epiphany (2005) and followed that with Glory (2006) which featured the songs, “Impossible” and “Run Away.”
“The song 'Run Away' is about a girl who ran away from home because sometimes life always looks better on the other side, or 'the grass is always greener on the other side. Then all of a sudden you get over there and you're like, 'whoa, I had it better where I was!”' he explains. “I wanted to reflect on the issues around me in the most positive way possible. And whether I am talking about the loss of loved ones and abuse, or break-dancing and skate culture, its all for the glory of heaven.”
Manafest hopes his music and messages encourage listeners that with God, anything is possible...
"We all have goals and we all have dreams and it's just about encouraging people to go for those goals and dreams,” he explains. “As a kid I always had my dreams stepped on or was told I couldn't do this or couldn't do that. The whole message ... is pursuing those dreams and to unlock that dream and go inside of you; make it happen, make it manifest.”