Artist Name: Manu Francois
Music Genre: Pop
Other Genres: Rap/Acoustic/Pop/Electronic
Websites or Social Media Pages
http://www.instagram.com/manufrancois98

Manu Francois,
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
I would say I am a Mixed Genre artist. Or simply a Musical Artist. I produce and enjoy creating everything from Rap to Acoustic music, so it’s always been hard to put my artistry in a defined box.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
My artist name is simply my human name. I have never had a nickname, and some of my biggest inspirations, such as Michael Jackson, simply used their real names as their artist name, because the music seemed to really come from them. So I did the same, and I am happy to not have to introduce myself twice.
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
I’ve been influenced by the greats: Michael Jackson, Drake, Bob Marley, 2pac, as well as lesser-known musical groups such as Necrophagist and Nile (The two greatest Extreme Death Metal groups). I am also influenced by the spirit of my father and friends.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
Yes indeed! I am working on a very exciting bunch of songs for an upcoming album. This is in the genre Festival Pop (I have created this genre to describe this music). And it is sounding just fantastic! All homemade and self-produced.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
I aim to become a household name, a favorite artist in the worldwide music scene, Bothe underground, and mainstream.
I have been releasing good content and consistently, dropping new music to great feedback, as well as keeping it real in terms of some of the more important, non-music-related things going on in the world at the moment.
So my hope is that people will come to see me as more than just a music artist, but also as someone to be followed in order to understand and get a people-centric view on certain worldly events and changes. I wish to help people in whichever ways I can on my way to reaching my goals.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
Proud goes off! And it’s so wonderful to hear people from the crowd singing it back to me, doing the gang chants, etc.
Truly fulfilling moments. At the same time, I love to perform my acoustic music live because the audience truly appreciates seeing real music played on instruments and so I like to give them that. And I love the way true acoustic music can quieten the room and bring attention.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
The biggest challenge in my career has been trying to make a global name from my little town of Christchurch, New Zealand. But I’m getting there!
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
Many times I start with the music and let the music tell me what sort of song wants to go on top. This way I will come to have lyrics that fit the vibe of the music. There are, however, many ways to approach songwriting.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
Social Media has been a great tool in allowing me to proliferate overseas in a time when overseas travel is at an all-time low.
It has also been a bane, dealing with mismatched expectations and scams, etc, as I’m sure every endeavouring artist must do.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
I have been listening to the more underground artist over the past 6 months, checking out what’s happening in the UG music scene is important and gives me access to my fellow creator, whom it is good to support and whom will make up some portion of my fanbase, so I enjoy the underground.
I have been listening to a few songs by Mercury Sterling, CJ Cruicks, Dustin Matthews, to name a few friends in the Underground as well as NZ artists such as PRINS, LIPSKI, King Cass, YZYK, etc.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I played music, but just not in this format. So I’ve been playing music all my life. I came up in the Metal Scene, playing some pretty exploring and intricate drums for a band called Athenic. Only in 2017 did I release my first rap album ‘Check It’.
And it’s been a popular music thing since then.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
Yes, take inspiration, but know that what you are meant to do, this is going to serve you best. Find your voice, find what you love to create and perform and show people. Do that.
Always be helpful and gracious on your way up.
Be aware of scams and always know your worth.
Promote others as well as yourself, this will foster good relationships and make you more likely to be promoted by others, as well as keeping your platform interesting and not entirely self-focused.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
I would just do my best to search out artists with extraordinary talent and give them the opportunities I wished I got in my earlier stages.
Although, you’ve got to be ready for the opportunity when it comes, so be not disheartened, keep creating and pushing your envelope and the opportunities will come to you.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
Originality is hard to come by in the mainstream world. There is so much to draw from, I think the best thing to do is to make it how you LOVE it!
If you feel yourself doing something too obvious, ask yourself, is this the best way it could be done? Probably not, there are ways that suit your voice, particularly that you have to free up from the already done in order to discover. This will make your song original and more cohesive!
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
I appreciate you interviewing me and I hope that we can make some waves for our people to surf on. Much love, Thanks, and Blessings!