When I look back at my career, filled with boundary-pushing collaborations and genre-defying moments, one project stands above the rest. My collaboration with Gorillaz on “The Manifest” isn’t just another feature — it’s the most important artistic chapter of my journey.
Working with Gorillaz means stepping into a universe where sound, animation, and storytelling collide. The animated group led by #damonalbarn has always blurred the lines between reality and fiction, and that freedom gave me space to create without limits. From the first studio session, I knew this wasn’t going to be ordinary.
“The Mountains,” the new album by the groundbreaking virtual collective, arrived with a cinematic weight that felt different from anything they had done before. The record carries themes of elevation, isolation, reflection, and spiritual ascent. Being part of that landscape felt like climbing into rare air creatively.
“The Manifest” became the emotional core of the album. The production was layered and atmospheric — live instrumentation weaving through futuristic textures, anchored by deep bass and haunting melodies. My approach was to bring warmth and soul into a world that already felt expansive and otherworldly.
What made the collaboration even more powerful was the inclusion of Proof, whose legacy still echoes across hip-hop. Though he passed away in 2005, his voice, influence, and spirit remain deeply embedded in the culture. Honoring that legacy within this record added gravity to every verse and every note.
There was a reverence in the studio when we discussed Proof’s impact. It wasn’t about nostalgia; it was about respect. It was about recognizing how the past shapes the present and how music keeps voices alive long after silence tries to take over.
#damonalbarn’s vision for “The Mountains” was ambitious. He wanted the album to feel like a climb — starting grounded, rising through turbulence, and ending in clarity. “The Manifest” sits at that turning point, where reflection becomes declaration.
For me, this collaboration pushed my artistry further than ever before. I had to adapt to a sonic world that’s unpredictable and cinematic. Instead of dominating the track, I had to become part of a larger narrative — a character in a living, breathing universe.
The response from listeners has been overwhelming. Fans connected not just to the sound, but to the emotion behind it. They hear the tribute, the experimentation, and the sincerity woven through every second.
This release marks a defining moment in my career because it represents growth. It represents stepping into unfamiliar territory and emerging stronger. Few collaborations challenge you creatively and spiritually at the same time — this one did both.
“The Mountains” is more than an album; it’s a statement. It proves that animated or not, Gorillaz remain one of the most fearless collectives in modern music. And being part of that statement is something I will always carry with pride.
If this chapter has taught me anything, it’s that legacy and innovation can exist side by side. “The Manifest” stands as a bridge between eras — honoring those we’ve lost while building something bold and new. And for me, that makes it the most important collaboration of my career.
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