Following the release of his acclaimed hit single Nalingi, Manu Worldstar is steadily becoming a household name and permanent fixture on SA’s music scene. To solidify his status as a force to be reckoned with, the young muso, whose real name is Emmanuel Mutendji, recently exhibited his musical gifts on 31 October at the Trace TV #BTBLive: Presents Manu Worldstar where he performed some of his unreleased material.
#BTBLive, is a concept created by Trace Southern Africa to celebrate emergent artists who are steadily making a mark on the scene. The exclusive events are a collaborative effort between Trace and African record labels to provide more platforms for new artists to be seen and heard.
“It’s really a platform to showcase up-and-coming talent. A big keyword for us for 2018 going into 2019 is collaboration – we want to collaborate with independents and big labels to identify talent that’s going to be huge stars not only on the continent but outside the borders,” said Trace managing director, Valentine Gaudin-Muteba.
Representing Punchline Media – a boutique entertainment and media company that manages Manu Worldstar – Shingai Darangwa said the stable came across Manu three years ago and was blown away by his sheer talent.
“We literally started Punchline because of Manu. We felt like we needed to find a way to construct something around Manu that would allow him to blow up,” Darangwa said.
Vth Season’s Raphael Benza said Manu was set to blow everyone’s mind and be the next big thing in music in Africa as well as the world.
Manu closed off the night with his chart-topping single, Nalingi. In the song, the singer takes us back to a time where singers serenaded and appreciated women through their music as he professes his love and admiration for a special woman in his life.
“I wanted African females to realise they are always being celebrated. There’s a lot of content in terms of music where females are degraded all the time and I just wanted to give out a record where when you hear this you’re going to feel beautiful,” Manu said.
DJ PH released Go Down featuring Manu Worldstar and Rouge following his #BTBLive performance.
“Manu is somebody who’s got a lot to offer,” said Darangwa.
