Trek Manifest is recording an entire album at Natalie’s with a live band October 11th.

Do I understand this correct?

Yep it’s a live album recording indeed! I’ve been doing these shows with the band so it only made sense and it’s honestly way overdue.

i’m gonna ask you about some live Hip Hop band’s songs for a fun history discussion. I don’t expect you to know these songs. I don’t expect a book report on each song, I just want reactions. Look them up from tidal, Spotify, apple music or YouTube. It’s kinda like an Beavis And Butthead informal live band hip hop discussion.

Just give me reactions:

KING Tim III and the Fatback Band - Personality Jock
Ok! This is some disco type vibes but a little rap feel to it!

Stetsasonic - Go Stetsa
Legendary right here! Heard a few producers sample these guys!

The Goats - Do The Dugs Dig
Ok never heard of these guys but you can never go wrong with this break beat!

This isn’t a live band b, it’s a live rap album. BDP My Philosophy live hardcore worldwide
Legend. God MC enough said with this one!

Jay-Z unplugged with The Roots - IZZO
Definitely remember watching this in real time. Actually one of my inspo’s for having a live band after seeing this performance

The Roots - The Next Movement
Best rap band ever. Had this album

Please give me the background of yr AYE-1 Band?
The AYE-1 band started in 2016. My drummer had played at my wedding in 2014 and he found out that I rapped. He told me if I ever needed him he’d get me a whole band together. Fast forward to Comfest 2016 and I had the band with me and from there the band was formed.

Why did you decide to record an entire album live?
There were records we’ve done that I felt sound great with the band and after we did the 2024 Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest I knew it was time to put a lot more emphasis on the band as a collective. It’s one thing to have an album and the band play the records from it, it’s another to have an album strictly based off you AND your band so this was something that was always in the back of my mind to do but now I get to make it happen once I put it in the front of my mind.

Is this all new material?
This is not new material but just a collection of my catalogue and redone with the band. Again, these records are songs fans have seen us perform for example, Tosca’s Boy but the “AYE-1 version” if that makes sense. It was always trying to convey to people you just gotta be there to experience these shows and songs so why not create an album with unplugged/tiny desk vibes like we do anyway on record?

Does the album feature any guests?
No featured guests, just myself.

Can you elaborate on the amount preparation for this Live album recording October 11th?
The preparation was honestly more so crafting a story since it’s titled “Tosca’s Boy Sessions Pt.1.” These are all songs that I’ve already have out but crafting them in a “Curated” way to convey my story as far as how I’m overcoming the things in my life. The ups and downs, the wins and lessons, the highs and lows, and ultimately how I’m navigating a new life without the most important person in my life that being my mother. So the preparation was more so how can tell this story musically and what better way to do that than perform it amongst my fans.

Why do you think there aren’t many live Hip Hop releases?
Because there aren’t a lot of artists who can actually do it honestly. There’s the idea that all you have to do is have a band behind you and just rap. But either the band sucks and the rapper is great or vice versa. The alignment or balance rather just isn’t there. That’s not to say artists aren’t capable of doing it, but the preparation, the transitions, who’s playing for you, etc. all play a role in that.