Urban Vault recently caught up with California based emcee Mani Draper to ask him some questions about his recent release BLOOD IN THE WATER, featuring and produced by Kevin Allen and more…

Richmond, California rapper Mani Draper presents the SLVTR Films-directed music video for ‘Blood In The Water’ featuring and produced by Kevin Allen, formerly known as Erk Tha Jerk.

‘Blood In The Water’ appears on ‘Mercy‘, Mani’s new album featuring Locksmith, GQ, and Emily McLean as well as production from DJ Flow, Sndtrak and Zenan of ODS. The video’s animation was handled by Bay Area art collective The Illuminaries.

Mani says his latest single was “Born out of a conversation centered around legacy. All of my successful creative friends (Kevin Allen specifically) are family men and women. When I was able to slow down and process that, it was inspiring to sort of recognize that the stakes are always higher for them. So they dig a little deeper and push a little further than most and ultimately spawn something impactful every time out”.

Mani has several albums under his belt including ‘The Unauthorized Biography of Ella Mae’, ‘Last Marauder’ and ‘RAWK’ and has collaborated with Jake One and Terrace Martin. Mani has composed original music for Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, and Calvin Klein, and was the narrative voice on IAMSU’s ‘Sincerely Yours’ album. Mani co-founded the Brave Area Collective and partnered with Bay Area boutique label At The Ave Records in 2017.

The Bay Area is known for a host of proud hometown rap heroes. But even amongst such peers, you fly the Bay flag particularly high in almost everything you do. What do you think it is that makes the Bay so unique amongst the world’s Hip Hop hotspots?

What puts the Bay amongst the world’s hotspots… not with just Hip Hop but with technology, creatively and growing up aspiring to be entrepreneurs is a testament to our roots and at the bare minimum having some information about where we come from. My family came from the South, Louisiana and Arkansas. With musicians on both sides, educators and business owners. So it honestly starts with pride first. Wanting to uphold such a rich legacy and expand on that. Not even within just your own family but the legacy of the Bay. From Sly Stone to E-40 and Hiero all the way to HBK …you become obsessed with wanting to carve out another notch for the Bay and continue the legacy.

What made you decide to become a rapper?

Rap/Music was always around hearing old stories about my Dad and his crew. His best friend was actually signed to No Limit Records. So hearing those stories always made it feel like there was a chance. It actually became a thing when I was really struggling in school and my fourth-grade teacher was just crazy patient and would not give up till he found something I was into. Just so happen to be what he was into and that was music. He was Dutch and he was hella cultured. He brought ‘Yellow Submarine’ by the Beatles in class one day and we proceeded to break down John Lennon lyrics lol. The next day he had us bring lyrics in…I brought in Nas’ ‘The World is Yours’. My teacher and I stayed after school breaking down line for line. A few weeks later we had a free write assignment. I did some conceptual piece. He was super impressed and made it a point to tell my whole family to allow me to explore that. So yeah this shit all starts with my fourth-grade teacher…shoutout Mr. Harrison.

What’s the first rap song you ever heard? Describe the moment.

I can’t say for certain it’s the first rap song I heard but it’s for damn sure the first one I remember. DJ Quik’s ‘Tonite’. I was actually at my parent’s wedding and it had just come out and they kept playing it on repeat. I remember most of my dad and uncles reaction to the song. Them wanting to hear it over and over again was pretty dope. So to this very day, that’s probably my favorite song ever just because it represents some of the best memories with my Pops.

How did ‘Blood In The Water’ come together?

“Blood In The Water” is 100 percent a result of my resilience and not giving up. When I left for college most of my friends that made music stayed home and got super successful. In the process, they all built a relationship with Erk Tha Jerk…who now goes by Kevin Allen. I remember being super jealous of that. So finally moving back after school it was crazy important that I at least work with bro. It took some time but once we actually got in contact it was super fast. He came by the studio we had in downtown Oakland to do some early stuff I had and we connected. Then a few months later when I setup my home studio, he was the first one to come thru and that was the first song recorded at the house. He flipped that sample on the spot and had the loop running. We talked at length about inspiration and finding success on our own terms and without compromise….“Blood In The Water” was born.

What are your predictions for 2019 in terms of the Hip Hop game?

2019 has already revealed so much. So much pain already losing Nip who is the standard for the route I’m in pursuit of. But to properly honor him is to continue to work fearlessly and I was doing that prior to his demise but it’s all coming into to focus. With an amazing solo release coming with a collection of my favorite producers and artist. Sndtrak and Zenan, DJ Flow, P-Lo, IAMSU, Kevin Allen, Dug Inf, NOBL, DJ Basta, Ryan Nicole, YMTK and Secret Sidewalk….I can’t wait to share it. Even the artwork was done by Steven Anderson. But beyond my solo, I’ve already released one collab project and have at least 3 more before the year is up and I get to write scripts for voice-overs in commercials. Just being able to get lost in the work is the best part. But if you meant 2019 in Hip Hop in general ….I think we’re seeing it. Independence being exercised all around. The return of the boutique label and ultimate creativity. No more reaching trying to please everyone. Specific expression coming to the forefront and artist not being afraid to push the boundaries again. We’re in control and this new wave understands that this time around. So this is the first time you’ll see us retain ownership and reach really far at the same time. When in the past you had to compromise on one or the other.

Mani Draper – Mercy via Spotify

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