Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has shared a personal story about how his grandfather’s wisdom helped shape the distinctive beat of “Invisible,” one of the standout songs from his 2016 album Nowhere Cool.
The revelation came on August 13, 2025, after a fan on X hailed the track as a masterpiece, writing:
“M.anifest’s Invisible is one of the greatest songs to come out of Ghana. Everything in the song is on point from messaging, beat, and everything!”
In response, M.anifest recounted how the song’s unique rhythm was born. While crafting Nowhere Cool, he often played rough drafts for his grandfather, seeking the elder’s thoughts.
During one such listening session, his grandfather made a suggestion that shifted the creative direction entirely.
“I used to play drafts of songs to my grandpa whiles I was working on Nowhere Cool. One time he remarked how it would be interesting if I broke from the standard 4/4 beat pattern a lot of our popular music employs and lean into the polyrhythmic patterns of our traditional music,” M.anifest explained.
Inspired by the advice, he went straight to the studio.
“Went to the stu after and we built the skeleton for Invisible based on this observation. The wisdom of the elders is undefeated,” the ‘God MC’ rapper added.
Check out M.anifest’s reply below.
I used to play drafts of songs to my grandpa whiles I was working on nowhere cool. One time he remarked how it would be interesting if I broke from the standard 4/4 beat pattern a lot of our popular music employs and lean into the polyrhythmic patterns of our traditional music.… https://t.co/FRNY07LYmh
— M.anifest (@manifestive) August 13, 2025
Listen to the song below.
