Pop Singer, Songwriter and Author from Henderson, NV. Manika performs live in Studio B of Mevio in San Francisco.
Bringing a fresh, edgy vibe to mainstream pop and unafraid to boldly speak her mind, 18-year-old vocal powerhouse Manika is set to release her upcoming debut single "Just Can't Let You Go" this May. Working with some of music industry's highest caliber management, songwriting and production talent, Manika (pronounced Ma-NEE-ka) was discovered by Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson's long-time manager, and television personality and revered vocal performance coach CeCe Sammy (U.K.'s "Pop Idol").
"Just Can't Let You Go," which Manika debuted live at the 2010 Hollywood Style Awards was written and produced by Tearce Kizzo and Francci (Keyshia Cole, Patti LaBelle, Adina Howard and JoJo). The duo is also working with Manika on numerous other tracks for the artist's full length forthcoming debut album, alongside such heavy hitters as Qura Rankin and Evan Bogart (Beyonce, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Natasha Bedingfield, Jennifer Lopez). Manika is also prepping for her debut tour later in 2011 with Travis Payne, best known for working with Michael Jackson as the choreographer for the proposed "This Is It" tour and the associate producer for the subsequent film "This Is It."
Inspired by such artists as Avril Lavigne, Pink and Alanis Morrisette, Manika is working on modern Top 40 tracks with a rock edge featuring attitude and fiery rock guitars. Says Manika, "I've always loved both writing and songwriting," she adds. "The journey is fascinating to me.
When I watch a live performance back on video, I think about how everything started from a simple emotion, feeling or story I wanted to tell. The next step is to play with song ideas, and then lay down instruments and vocals. Then it all takes shape and suddenly that simple spark has blossomed into something huge and powerful that people can enjoy."
Manika-whose mixed heritage includes Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian and Spanish--brings intelligence, wit and tons of emotional life experiences to her songs. Early on, she won the "Outstanding Performance Award" three years straight at the National Performing Arts Festival in New York City. At age 15, she wrote and published The Exciting Adventures of Boo, a fictional children's book and donated proceeds from the first 750 copies to the Nevada SPCA animal shelter. Manika also participated in writing workshops for children and went to visited children's hospitals to read it to young cancer patients and their families. These activities are just the beginning of the many philanthropic goals that Manika intends to pursue as her musical career takes off.
"When CeCe was first approached me I told her that I was fully committed to my music and performing career, and that is my passion... to me it's always been about being an all around creative person. Both live and on studio recordings, there's nothing more important to me than touching people with my music and connecting with them through the stories I'm privileged to tell."