Manneto is often called “The Weeknd of the Low Countries,” a title that has earned him significant local recognition.
His stage name, Manneto, was given to him at the age of fifteen, during a period when he struggled with his mental health. He discovered that his grandfather had given him this Mozambican name, which means “Steel that cannot break.” That meaning gave him the strength to push forward, both in life and in music.
Manneto was born in Ostend, Belgium, but grew up in Takoradi, Ghana. His love for music began at home, surrounded by cassette tapes of Whitney Houston, Usher and Michael Jackson. The latter, in particular, would remain his greatest inspiration throughout his life.
When he returned to Belgium at fifteen, his friends heard him sing and made him realize that his voice was something special. He joined H4M – Heart for Music and began shaping his artistic identity.
The years between fifteen and eighteen were tough. His mother was often ill, which forced him to take care of her and kept him from attending school. He found solace in music, but his early songs were not taken seriously.
His first breakthrough came in 2020 with Spaceman and Mama Said. Here, he was able to combine his love for music and storytelling (once again inspired by Michael Jackson). Instead of giving up, Manneto kept working on music, albeit behind the scenes. He featured on ‘For the Ladies’ by American artist Elion Melody (and co-wrote his full album) and collaborated with Farao Ems (Milo VTM, #LikeMe VRT).
In 2023, he released Want Me, a commercial success, but it didn’t feel like his true self. That’s why, in 2024, he decided to go solo again and fully follow his own path.
Now, the time has come for his single SLIDE to be officially released as the first single from his debut EP, set for April 2025.
