Versifier Unleashed: Versifier & Manifesters - A Drastic Difference in Decades

From 1993-1996 I experimented with writing rhymes and freestyling, but no one outside of family or my crew knew or ever heard anything. By 1997 I was confident enough in my flow to begin jumping in cyphers at parties and the lunchroom cafeteria, and performing live at high school pep rallies and dances. In 1998 I began using the stage name, Versifier. And in 1999, as a freshman in college, I formed the group/crew, Manifesters. Looking back on almost three decades, it’s interesting to see the stark differences in the decades. The first decade was foundational. The second decade was a jam-packed whirlwind of shows, cyphers, open mics, music, and being a staple in the Twin Cities Hip Hop community. And the third decade was almost a purely digital experience.

1993-1999

This was 8^th grade through freshman year of college. I was a kid. Musically the only focus was becoming a dope emcee. Back then we didn’t have access to original beats. We had vinyl, CD, and cassette instrumentals of famous emcees’/rapper’s beats, and a few cats who could beatbox. So 95% of what we did was freestyle. Not “today freestyle”, but actual off-the-top-of-the-head freestyle. For the handful of live shows, I/we’d just write songs to other people’s beats. But the cyphers, open mics, and other non-booked performances were all freestyle.

2000-2009

This decade covered sophomore year of college through the end of my twenties. Myself and the other members of Manifesters were either doing full time college, work and music, or full time work and music. That was the main reason we only performed and toured in the Midwest, we were always working or in school. Between work, school, everything related to music, family and friends, tons of girls, partying, and sports, I seriously don’t know how or when we ever slept. My body just adjusted to only sleeping from 3:30am-5:30am daily, especially during the first half of the decade. It was insane. But I/we were doing, learning, and experiencing so many dope things, it was well worth it. And everything was so multi-faceted; from the music and art side, the business and promotional aspects, to the Hip Hop and community elements. It was just as much about the people, relationships and the culture as it was about the music and business. We had cell phones, but this was before social media. Shows were still promoted by passing out flyers, bookings were still done via phone calls, and business was conducted in person. It was a fantastic ride!

2010-2019

My thirties; I was married, had a dog, a full-time career in finance/accounting, and was heavily involved in my Star Wars-related extracurricular activities. Manifesters was down to just NiiBox and I, and NiiBox was living in San Francisco for the first part of the decade. Musically all I wanted to do was write and record. I’d somehow lost the passion I had for live performing. I began to think less of myself as a professional recording and performing artist, and more of a “hobby emcee”. I was making and releasing music just for me, for fun, with zero aspirations beyond that. And I was content. Despite taking a dramatic step back from all I/we did the decade prior, the 2010-2019 somehow still filled itself with some dope and memorable experiences and achievements.

In virtually every aspect of my life, I’m a big numbers, stats, and spreadsheets guy. So here’s scaled comparison of the three decades. Obviously, this would present itself much better in spreadsheet form, but my blog isn’t formatted for that. So here it is list style.

Live Shows

1993-1999 = 9 [6 cities, 1 state, 7 venues]

2000-2009 = Hundreds [25+ cities, 4 states, 80+ venues]

2010-2019 = 4 [4 cities, 3 states, 4 venues]

Tours

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = Handful

2010-2019 = 0

Open Mics

1993-1999 = Handful

2000-2009 = Hundreds

2010-2019 = 0

Cyphers / Freestyle Sessions / Jam Sessions

1993-1999 = Dozens

2000-2009 = Hundreds

2010-2019 = Handful

Live Features (TV, Radio, Panels)

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = Multiple

2010-2019 = 1

Non-Live Features (TV, Radio, Newspapers, Websites, Commercials, etc.)

1993-1999 = 1

2000-2009 = Multiple

2010-2019 = 1

Shows/Events Organized

1993-1999 = 5

2000-2009 = Hundreds

2010-2019 = 0

Shows/Events Hosted (MC’d)

1993-1999 = 5

2000-2009 = Hundreds

2010-2019 = 0

Music Released

1993-1999 = None

2000-2009 = 5 CDs (3 albums, 2 EPs)

2010-2019 = 26 Digital Releases (1 album, 5 EPs, 8 singles, 1 mixtape, 9 compilation albums,

and 2x 3-song waves) *Also digitally re-released the 5 CDs from 2000-2009

Music Videos Released

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = 1

2010-2019 = 4

Musical Collaborations

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = Dozens

2010-2019 = Dozens

Guest Features

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = 12

2010-2019 = 5

Launch of Website or Social Media Account

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = 1

2010-2019 = 21

Entities Formed (Business, Legal, Publishing, Collectives, Side-Groups/Bands/Duos)

1993-1999 = 1

2000-2009 = Multiple

2010-2019 = 3

Runs of Merchandise Released

1993-1999 = 1

2000-2009 = 4

2010-2019 = 0

Community (Teaching Hip Hop classes, Running after-school Hip Hop programs for kids, Volunteering at community and charity events, music mentoring, Public speaking, etc.)

1993-1999 = 0

2000-2009 = Hundreds of hours

2010-2019 = 0

Look. Listen. Watch. Read. Follow. Stream. Download. Interact.

Web

Manifesters – www.manifesters.com

Versifier – http://versifier.manifesters.com

NiiBox – www.niibox.com

Twitter

Manifesters - @Manifesters

Versifier - @VerseManifest

The Lost Holocron - @TheLostHolocron