Mannywellz: A Journey Through Music and Identity
Mannywellz recalls the first moment music made him cry. The song was Așa’s “Eyé àdabá.” Listening as a teenager, he felt emotions that music had never stirred in him before. He said, “I remember just lying down, listening to it as a teenager, and just getting emotional.” For Mannywellz, a Nigerian-American artist, feelings are central to his work.
He was born Emmanuel Ajomale in Nigeria and raised in Maryland. His music blends Yoruba roots with American influences. This combination forms a sound that includes Afrobeats, R&B, soul, and spirituality. His music reflects his background, where one culture seamlessly merges into another. Each song is both intimate and expansive, providing a sense of belonging.
A Sound Shaped by Movement
Mannywellz’s upbringing straddled Nigeria and the DMV area. He said, “I spent a good portion of my life in Nigeria, and then I also spent a good portion of my life in the DMV, Maryland, to be specific.” His environment offered him diverse cultural influences, from Nigerian to Caribbean communities, and American R&B. He absorbed each culture, allowing them to enrich his music.
His catalog, including Mirage, SoulFro, and Small Chops, reflects his interest in emotional coherence over genre boundaries. Influenced by artists like King Sunny Ade, 50 Cent, Kanye West, and Lauryn Hill, Mannywellz found creative confidence by observing those who diverged from the mainstream.
The Discipline of an Appetizer
His latest EP, Small Chops, is named after Nigerian appetizers. The seven-track project, running under 15 minutes, features Wale and Lekan. Mannywellz managed writing and production himself. He described the EP as a filling appetizer: short yet substantial. All collaborators had to align with his vision, maintaining thematic consistency.
“I wanted to just give people like an appetizer,” he explained. “A very filling appetizer.” He focused on creating impactful music, saying, “If you feel something, I feel like I did my job.”
Faith in the Studio
Mannywellz blends technical skill with spirituality in his music. Some ideas are divinely inspired, while others come through practice. “Sometimes, like I’m creating out of divine inspiration,” he said. He combines vulnerability with devotion seamlessly in his songs. “God is my everything,” he stated, describing faith as central to his music.
His daily routine includes songwriting, piano practice, and planning to master guitar and keyboards. Mannywellz constantly aims to improve, saying, “I’m already better than Small Chops today.”
Speaking From the Shadows
Beyond music, Mannywellz values immigration awareness. He carefully speaks about immigration, recognizing its significance in his life. He reflected, “Immigration is a very important topic and issue to me.” His mission includes supporting migrants and using his platform for advocacy. “If I’m the only one that has to speak up or can speak up, I don’t mind doing that,” he declared.
Influenced by the advocacy of Jesus, he strives to uplift marginalized communities. Mannywellz contributes to relevant causes, emphasizing the necessity of action.
The Meal Ahead
Small Chops promises future projects. Mannywellz shared that his next project is already planned. He remarked, “I haven’t even touched 10% of what I could talk about in my records.” The EP sets the stage for more personal stories and artistic growth. “I’m really excited for people to continue to discover it,” he expressed. Mannywellz aims to engage listeners, hoping they “hear it and feel something.” With Small Chops served, he prepares for what’s next, honing his craft further.