Music school doesn’t guarantee incredible music — M.anifest

Ghanaian rapper Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, known professionally as M.anifest, has shared his thoughts on the role of music education in shaping talents and producing quality music.

According to him, while music schools can refine skills, they do not guarantee that an artist will create great music, as true artistry goes beyond formal education.

“You can go to school for music forever, but it doesn’t guarantee you inspiration. It doesn’t guarantee you the ability to make incredible music. It guarantees you understanding or the ability to mimic what’s great. But if you’re not aligned, you can’t—it’s not possible,” he explained.

Speaking on Accra-based Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz on Thursday, March 13, the award-winning rapper emphasized the importance of spontaneity and creative alignment in music production.

“Bro, I go into the studio, and I have no idea what’s going to happen. But I know that with the alignment I have, something will happen. And I listen to things… how that song came about was a complete accident. We were looking for percussions for another song, we stumbled on some horns, and I was like, ‘Yo, yo, yo!’” he added.

M.anifest also revealed his alternative career path in the entertainment industry, stating that if financial challenges ever threatened his music career, he could become a disc jockey (DJ).

“If money becomes an issue, I go be DJ. I have an option. No, I make incredible playlists, I’m not even trying to gas myself up, like, because I already love music, so I can get into the deep cuts,” he said.