Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vincent Manuel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Vincent, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’ve been well-pleased on the path i’m on as a creative. Although it is very tedious, I choose to continue to do the right thing with my craft since I’m forever aiming to be one of many beacons of light. Personally, I feel like being in the Hip-Hop field you you start off with two paths to choose from which are the path of passion or one of limelight. I say this because there are a number of people who have given up on learning who they are as a person to become someone doesn’t have a connection with themselves, and they tend to lose focus on who they are and what they can stand for because of them seeking materials and levels of validation. The passion route always starts out very slow and even scary sometimes because the drive is morally along the lines of creating with purpose and letting the journey reward you organically. I also truly believe that you should have fun along the journey too because it keeps things from seeming like work or a task. I really haven’t thought about life with a “regular” job because I think if you like what you do its not really a job. I wouldn’t wanna be in that type of atmosphere anyway.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Greetings everyone! I got by the name of Ackurate…Born in St. Louis, but raised in New York…I’m an artist who lives the the realms of spoken word and hip-hop. I also do motivational speaking and run a nonprofit by the name of “Manuel Motivations” where we aim to help clients find ways to improve mental health, provide services to start new business and also, resources along the way for future endeavors.

Taking the arts serious started my last year of college, where I was highly depressed and trying to find myself. I grew up a black sheep and never really had love or faith in myself as a human-being. I found my voice through the arts and also found a purpose to speak my truths and help those who wanna find purpose and what life is to them. I tell people “Depression has been my biggest ally and also rival. And since we all have battles both seen and unseen, we need to do our best to figure out how maneuver and learn from these occurrences”. They are a part of who we are and will teach us how to grow if you want them to. I say that to say that “beating” my depression was one of the greatest feats I’ve accomplished because if I didn’t I don’t think i’d be here today.

As an artist, I want my message to bring levels of insights and truth to the culture. I like to see myself as an endless student in the culture because everyday I study those that I look up to.. From performances, interviews, etc. I stay on my toes and learn from their ups and downs. If I could describe my styles, It would bit witty lyricism with substance attached to it. I think another dope thing about me as a writing is that i’ve strayed away from the use of vulgar terminology. If I wanna reach the masses on a high volume, then I have to be the change and put forth an effort to save the world.

Im really just happy to be a relevant part of the culture. To go from making calls to get on shows, having to showcase the skillset at many open mics…To having an incredible team, be able to make a living off my craft, meet and work with many talented individuals, and travel… I don’t think i can explained how blessed my life is and its only getting. better by the day. I hope to continue to create for myself and others and to remain peaceful throughout this journey.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My village has been a huge inspiration and it changes depending on the situation. To have amazing individuals on all sides is huge when it comes making dreams into visions. From my parents, my brother and producer Aye Dre, one of my best friends Mimi, who is also my manager, my guidance/business consular Kazia….And a plethora of other amazing individuals I don’t see how I can lose at all. I do read a lot and two books in particular that have kept my spirit at ease are “Strong Words For the Weak/Week” by Sha Stimuli and “Still Breathin’: The Wisdom and Teachings of a Perfectly Flawed Man” by Brenden M. Dilley. These two books have offered me ways to improve my self-care, ways to better myself as an artist, and simply remind me of the importance of what i do as a growing human and artist. Beyond that, the fact that I can wake up and live life is always a blessing and an amazing teacher at that.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My grandmother passing was probably one of the most devastating things that happened to me because I lost and found myself at the same time. She passed six hours after out last conversation. The crazy thing about that is that she gave me the keys of life that I needed to have in order to find out why I was feeling the way I felt and how to understand how to use that to find my purpose/purposes in life. She explained to me that God built me to be able to go through the heavy storms and that I would have to learn how to build my endurance to remain resilient. She also gave me the key phrase “Show Love, Be Wise, Never Tarnish the Mission” which to this day i still live by. I’d never go as to say that I don’t have a void in my spirit, but knowing how much of an impact she had and I know she’s always here with me gives me peace to continue to fight the good fight.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ackuratethawise.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ackuratethawise/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AckurateThaWise/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AckurateThaWise
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AckurateThaWise1

Image Credits
Ron Sands Freddy Mac Damian McCleary