It will take a lot to draw me into full rap beef again - M.anifest

In the rap scene, one culture that has long dominated is rap engagement, also known as “rap beef.”

Rapper M.anifest has asserted that, at this stage of his career, it would take a lot for someone to draw him into a full rap engagement following his last major lyrical exchange with Sarkodie in 2016, using his hit record, GodMC.

Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, which aired on July 3, 2026, the “No Shortcut to Heaven” hitmaker explained that age and experience have changed his outlook, adding that he now has a greater sense of responsibility as a role model for younger artistes and others.

“We are older now, so one is still fierce with the pen, but you take on a different role. It would take a lot for somebody to pull me into that realm of things, outside of just regular braggadocio or one or two shots. Full-on engagement would take a lot because you also have to look at what you represent now, as a beacon, not just to artistes, but to the people coming after you,” he said.

I don't want my contribution to music to be ‘whine your waist?' - M.anifest

According to M.anifest, maturity comes with greater self-awareness and a different perspective.

Drawing an analogy, he said he would not expect to see two 60-year-olds physically fighting, explaining that while rap battles are not physical confrontations, there comes a point where people become more conscious of how they carry themselves.

When asked whether he would ever engage in another rap battle, the rapper clarified that he has never considered himself a battle rapper, but rather an artiste capable of responding lyrically on records when necessary.

“Because I’ve never been a battle rapper. I was just someone who could engage that way on records. It’s still possible, but it’s such a far-fetched thing because that time has largely passed. Never say never, because circumstances can change. It’s just about decision-making now,” he noted.

The rapper further stressed that while he has not completely ruled out the possibility of another rap engagement, any future response would have to go beyond personal ego and reflect the values he now stands for.

“I wouldn’t be as careless. Not that I ever was, but it has to represent more than just an ego thing. Especially if it’s somebody much younger than me trying to engage. We have to respect ourselves more.

“The way I am, and because I’m for the culture, I haven’t ruled it out completely. It’s still a possibility. It might just look a little different because times have changed. We’re becoming more respectable human beings. I have a teenager now,” he added.

It will take a lot for somebody to draw me into a full on rap engagement, there is still a possibility though. It might just look a little different, I have a whole teenager - @manifestive

Watch full interview here https://t.co/GZFFuT3XEH#KafuiDeyInterviews pic.twitter.com/3jAGrOr1h0

— Kafui Dey (@KafuiDey) July 5, 2026