Emerging musician Manfred West has opened up about the inspiration behind his Afrocentric sound and his mission to inspire a new generation through music during the listening session for his new project, “Shine.”
The event, hosted by Legacy Life Entertainment in collaboration with Iguala Inn on Thursday, May 7, brought together music lovers and industry players for an intimate introduction to the artiste’s evolving sound.
Speaking at the session, Manfred West described Afrocentric music as “magical,” explaining that his transition into the genre came after years of performing country music.
According to him, a conversation with Grammy Award-winning producer CT encouraged him to experiment with Afro-house influences and fuse them with his vocal style.
“I was in country music and it was doing extremely well, but there comes a time when you need to switch,” he said. “CT told me he saw something different in me and said my voice would work in Afro-house. “Shine” is just the beginning.”
The musician also reflected on his relationship with Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy, saying they had both faced challenges in the industry but were now seeing positive results from their journeys.
Manfred revealed that the inspiration for “Shine” came while sitting by the beach early one morning, watching the sunrise. He explained that the imagery of the stars at night and the rising sun shaped the project’s theme of hope, growth and perseverance.
Beyond entertainment, the artiste said his music is meant to motivate African youth and challenge stereotypes about the continent.
“I’m doing this for children, to motivate them and lift their spirits so they become somebody,” he said. “People think Africans cannot get there, but we will get there. “Shine” will take us there.”
Known for blending influences from international acts like Tracy Chapman and Kenny Chesney with African rhythms, Manfred West said his goal is to create a unique sound he calls Afrocentric.
He hinted that more projects are on the way, promising fans “something heavyweight” that would make a global impact.
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