In 2015, Manny Phesto has been busy. He's been featured on the bill at Soundset Music Festival (now the worlds largest all Hip-Hop festival), toured throughout the islands of Hawaii on the Intra island Music Tour in June. He played Summerset Music and Camping Festival in Somerset WI, Saturday In The Park 4th of July in Sioux City, and co-headlined the 5-state, 14-date HiGH MiNDS Tour in July-August. He was one of the first American rappers to to play a sold out event in Havana, Cuba in this October. Many is also booked for Festival Ajusco November 14th-15th in Mexico City, Mexico. Manny has performed on Sway Calloway's Sway in The Morning show, and interviewed or appeared in pieces with Pitchfork Media, XXL, SKEE TV, Hip Hop DX, FOX TV, and many more.
As both a believer and ardent practitioner of social capital and hard work paying off, Manny is no stranger to paying his dues. Focus, dedication and talent have allowed him to grow and develop his fan base, reputation and career. From basement house parties and after-show ciphers, to headlining events, playing international festivals and touring, Manny has matured into one of the most highly regarded artists from the state. Manny has had the privilege of performing at the best venues throughout the Twin Cities, including the legendary First Avenue. Additionally he's been on bills with talents such as: Atmosphere, Ice Cube, Big Sean, Big Krit, Curren$y, Action Bronson, Ghostface Killah, J Cole, Big Gigantic, Talib Kweli, Yelawolf, Ludacris, Shabazz Palaces, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Devin the Dude, P.O.S and many more.
Since releasing his debut Southside Looking In fall of 2014, no local hip-hop album has garnered the reviews, acclaim or word-of-mouth respect that Manny has enjoyed. The bevy of best album awards, nation wide bookings, radio play and worldwide blog write-ups the album has earned can attest to that. Manny raps with an honest, relatable and unfiltered perspective, enabling him to reach fans and critics alike. His music explores life's ups and downs and the motivations that drive people through them.
Manny's views are shaped in part by his upbringing in a working class family of artists, organizers and activists. Understanding that life is full of dualities, and that art imitates life, Manny's lyrics range from introspective, analytical narratives detailing the difficulties of the journey of himself and those around him, to celebrations of it. Manny's music contributes to this generation's chapter of the timeless story, young people trying to create their place in, while making sense of, an ever changing world.
"Best MN Releases" - Pitchfork
"We can thank Manny Phesto for bring Ghostface and Action Bronson together" - XXL Magazine
