Manafest
Epiphany
BEC Recordings

Chris Greenwood, a.k.a. Manafest, is a former skater who was on a track to the pros when an accident landed him at home for awhile. While laid up, Chris got involved with some Emcee’s and developed a knack for rapping. His career started out with a strong independent record and some opening gigs. It was one of these opening gigs, with Thousand Foot Krutch, that eventually landed him on the BEC label.

Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Crutch went to bat for Manafest originally and he further shows his support by appearing on his label debut. Trevor joins Manafest on the rock-rap tune “Skills.” This song sets the tone for the rest of the album which continues to be energetic. Chris’ desire to minister shows in his song lyrics, for example, “Manafesto,” a song about God, hip-hop, and skating – all the things that he “loves” dearly. Together they make a powerful formula for ministering to the skater generation that Chris was a big part of.

Other themes on the album include combating stereotypes, insecurities, and suicide. The song “My Life” is a very personal song about Chris’ father, who committed suicide when Chris was just 5 years old. His personal background in the skating arena coupled with his life course makes his testimony powerful. Chris raps about what made a difference in his life, accepting Christ and applying the Bible to his life, on the song “Changes.”

Epiphany was released back in July of 2005, and you can find more in depth information at his web site located at http://www.manafest.ca/.

- Ken W.