Ghanaian rapper and songwriter, Kwame Ametepee Tsikata known in the music industry as Manifest has revealed that he is able to combat depression through his music.
“I’m fortunate enough to have something that is easy for catharsis that’s music, so when I am making music I can put pain, joy, I can put all these things into them so it helps a certain level of release. I tend to be a person who also likes to be by myself so I can understand how being depressed is, because I do not want to talk to some people sometimes”, he stated.
This statement comes as a result of the recent discussion about entertainers battling depression with musicians like Pappy Kojo and EL sharing their experiences.
The “W’ani aba” hitmaker further stated that he is fortunate that he has a lot of people around him who he can be vulnerable when he is with them and not pretend to be who he is not.
“I think the hardest thing about feeling pain is not being able to share it honestly with certain people”, he added.
He also advised people battling depression to seek help from professionals and not shy away from it.
“It is nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t let people mock you because they want to get retweets for Twitter”, he stated.
Manifest also disclosed that people sometimes face serious challenges in their own corner and do not know how to handle or address it and that different people have different personality types.
“Those of us who are artistes types are more prone to depression. We are more prone to feeling the weight of the world on our shoulders, we are more prone to feeling pain with an intensity, feeling the depth of darkness”, he declared.
He also further disclosed that people have to figure out ways to get support systems and also people should not be dismissive of people battling depression.
Manifest is a talented and incredible rapper who recently won the Midem Best Artist at the 2017 International Midem Awards in France.
He is also the son of Ghanaian Lawyer and academic Tsatsu Tsikata.
