- Words Notion Staff
M.anifest teams up with Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea for 'PUFF PUFF', blending hip-hop, highlife, and jazz in a celebration of resilience.
Award-winning Ghanaian rapper and musical innovator M.anifest has delivered an exhilarating new single, ‘Puff Puff’, blending the sounds of hip-hop, jazz, and highlife into a seamless celebration of resilience and life’s complexities. A result of an impromptu conversation between M.anifest and Nigerian highlife band The Cavemen. at his annual festival, Manifestivities, the track came to life over time, with collaborations in both Lagos and Los Angeles. Flea, the legendary bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, joins the eclectic mix, contributing a soulful and unexpected trumpet solo that adds an extra layer of emotional depth to the song.
Produced by Budo and The Cavemen., ‘PUFF PUFF’ is a feel-good anthem that defies genre boundaries. At its core, the track is about navigating life’s challenges, with M.anifest offering raw, introspective verses amid a catchy, life-affirming hook from The Cavemen.: “Puff puff pass, keep the fire burning.” The phrase, traditionally linked to sharing, here takes on a deeper meaning, symbolising the transmission of strength, wisdom, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
With its dreamy highlife melodies, head-banging 808s, and Flea’s smooth trumpet, ‘PUFF PUFF’ feels like a natural yet boundary-pushing collaboration. M.anifest has once again proven his ability to blend cultures and sounds into something wholly original—making this one of his most innovative and exciting tracks to date. The accompanying visuals capture the carefree, reflective vibe of the song, shot in California with a laid-back, free-spirited energy.