We had the good fortune of connecting with Manny Voices and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manny Voices, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been a creative person since I was a child. First it was drawing, then it became poetry, then rapping, then later podcasting and doing voice overs. I spent a decade without indulging in any of those endeavors as an adult, and the absence of a creative outlet definitely took its toll on me while attaining a doctoral degree and chasing my other professional aspirations. I realized that I had nothing for myself – everything I was doing was either a) in reference to others or b) chasing a goal I’d set. Nothing was just for pure “fun” or the sake of my own personal joy. So I’d say that I decided to lean into my creative side over the last couple of years because, frankly, it’s my life. It’s what I naturally do and I decided I’d repressed it for far too long.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a multi-hyphenate/polymath/renaissance person who loves to indulge my various interests. Currently, I’m leaning into my identity as a rap artist and voice-over professional under the moniker “Manny Voices.” I am most proud and excited about the fact that after 11 years of NOTHING, I’m making my return to music and using the full power of my voice and creative pen/mind again. I’m releasing a new album titled “Call It Morning” on Wednesday, August 31st. It’s the most vulnerable, introspective thing I’ve ever done – almost an autobiography of my journey over the last decade set to music. I got to this point through a lot of intense self-reflection, particularly through the last couple of years of the pandemic as mentioned earlier.

Honestly, my podcast “No Wednesday” was instrumental in this because throughout each episode, I grapple with different issues in real-time – depression, parenting, growth, fear, etc. And I would occasionally dabble in a little cute rap every now and then to see if I still got it. Now, two years after the podcast debuted, I have this official album “Call It Morning” releasing! But also, it was about just easing back into the process of writing again. I LOVE writing and I always have. Once I started writing to music again, the rest of the process fell into place. I talk about this in the album as well, but I had to overcome a lot of self-doubt and questions – stuff like “you’re a whole 37 year old with a family…why are you trying to rap AGAIN?” But it’s not like I’m forsaking anything to (re)start a rap career or anything. No. Naw. Never. I’m doing this on my terms and it’s more like I’m adding to my repertoire because I realized that hey, it’s important to have hobbies and things that are solely for FUN. I didn’t realize that for most of my adult life until recently. Some people have golf. Some have video games. Others go to bars to hang out. I do creative things for fun – specifically here, music. And that’s really dope to ME. Who cares if others don’t agree, right?

Overall, I want the world to know that I am a person who is dedicated to storytelling and being true to who I am. I know that comes through in the music and hopefully, it helps someone else as much as the creative process has helped me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Full disclosure – I’m a homebody, for real. I am the Michael Jordan, the Lebron James, the Serena Williams of homebodies. I go to the grocery store (waaaay too often), work, the occasional bookstore and not much else. Ask about me. BUT in this hypothetical hangout situation, let’s see….I live in Milledgeville, so I’d take them to Legends Seafood & Grill or the The Local Yolkal for brunch, and show them the Oconee River Greenway – one of my favorite places to go and chill in nature while getting a little exercise. Many of the pictures in the Call It Morning liner notes were taken there – it’s one of my happy places. My hometown of Macon is right down the road, so I would show them the Museum of Arts & Sciences (hey I’m nerdy…it is what it is) and take them downtown to experience the shops and the inimitable Cherry Blossom festival in the springtime. And we’d have to get some Nu-Way Weiners because that’s a Macon trademark, honestly. Since I work for a nonprofit in Atlanta, I would also take them to a couple of my other favorite places – the Georgia Aquarium and Fernbank Natural History Museum – and we’d probably go hunting for some dope bookstores or record stores since I’ve yet to explore that part of the city in my travels.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?                                         

There are LOTS of people, works of art, etc that deserve recognition. First, my parents for giving me a solid foundation for faith through life’s tribulations. I also want to shoutout my beautiful and brilliant wife Crystal, for loving me, encouraging me and being my inspiration for so many years. Listening to her continues to be the best decision I will ever make. And my daughter, Camryn for teaching and reminding me to never let go of my inner child. And individually, I must shoutout my brother Tim, who has been a sounding board for so many of my creative endeavors as a creative himself! Thank you also to the listeners – of the No Wednesday podcast, my music, and my voice-over work. I appreciate the encouragement from everyone to lean deeper into these talents and passions.

The book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” is one that I will always credit as seminal to my development as someone who cares deeply about social justice and addressing historical oppression in my career. I would also add the music of Outkast as a huge inspiration – not only to my music, but my approach to life. ‘Kast taught me that it’s cool to be a little “weird”, to be bold in your brilliance regardless of who may not understand how you move. They’ll catch up ten years later, right? Authenticity over conformity, always. Lastly, the book “All About Love” by bell hooks (RIP) has been really crucial in my self-love journey – one of the songs from Call It Morning is named after it. I recommend that book to any and everybody, no context necessary.

Website: https://linktr.ee/mannyvoices

Instagram: http://instagram.com/mannyvoices

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mannyvoices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmannyvoices

Other: http://emmanuellittle.com/thecreative

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.