New Haven, CT Based CHH Rappers Mani & Eli_El Unveil Their New Video "You Da One"
Mani & Eli_El are two talented Christian Hip-Hop artists from New Haven, CT, who just released their new collaborative single/video “You Da One”, which has truly been a turning point in the early career of these emcees.
As an artist your main mission is always to make music for “your audience” or “music they can enjoy”. Mani & Eli_El both felt like although this was an important part of making music, music is used as “therapy” for many artists. The idea for the song came out of a state of depression that began to come over Eli_El back in the summer of 2018 when ministry for Mani and Eli_El was at its highest. They were booking 2-3 shows a month all over CT and were really gaining momentum, and yet through it all a sense of emptiness began to sit in for Eli_El.
There were certain things that both Mani & Eli_El haven’t truly faced and let go in order to truly move forward to that next level they are destined to reach. Mani & Eli_El decided to step back from all the “crowd pleasing” music and make a song for THEM. This song challenged both of the artist because it caused them both to really reach deep and become open and transparent about some of the darkest times in their life. From Mani facing the death of his closest uncle to a heroin OD, dealing with a dark depression, and almost failing his senior year or high school; to Eli_El dealing with PTSD from being wrongfully arrested and assaulted by five officers at 17, an unintentional drug OD and dealing with depression as well. This song also challenged them both creatively due to coming from a higher energy/encouraging others type of music to being transparent with our audience and seeking deliverance through our music.
The “You Da One” visual, which was written and directed by Eli_El, brings you along as they both revisit the darkest parts of their testimony, and you witness them testify to each other as well as being there for each other as they both get set free from their bondage. They go back to the actual locations where these bondages began and turn it all over to Jesus to free themselves and allow that burden to haunt them no longer.
This song and video are packed with a message and visual that will impact the audience as well as those that went through depression, Suicidal thoughts, PTSF, or just needs a reminder that they are purposed for much greater and that being free from bitterness and resentment will bring that liberty and freedom we all deserve.
Fans of Steven Malcolm, Social Club, and Lecrae will definitely enjoy “You Da One” by Mani and Eli_El, so watch it right now below, stream the single on Spotify, connect with them on their social media, and stay close to DCWS because their exclusive interview is coming soon!
Stream and Share “You Da One” on Spotify
Connect with Mani: Instagram