Manga Saint Hilare ft: Eliza Legzdina - U Be U (Official Video)
Manga Saint Hilare releases his new single ‘U Be U’ featuring Eliza Legzdina and producer MoreNight. An ode to the influential women in his life, ‘U Be U’ captures the themes of self-empowerment and identity driven by empowering vocal contributions from Manga and Latvian-born Eliza. Showcasing Manga’s ability to expand his creative depth beyond Grime, ‘U Be U’ is a club-ready banger with an infectious hook made for “all of the incredible women in my life to enjoy and live with”. Manga’s seamless flows and wordplay, merged with Eliza’s uplifting words, are carefully crafted around an Amapiano-inspired production from MoreNight.
From the moment he shelled the standout verse on Roll Deep’s 2005 anthem ‘When I’m Ere’ - one of grime’s most impactful, instantly recognisable cuts - Manga Saint Hilare’s name has been synonymous with the game-changing genre. His career has spanned nearly two decades and has been redefined by a slew of increasingly innovative, deeply personal releases, which began in 2017 with ‘Outbursts From The Outskirts’. With that redefinition has come recognition: Manga received a MOBO nomination for Best Grime Act in 2022; he toured his critically acclaimed ‘Run For Your Life’ album, culminating in a sold-out headline show at London’s iconic Jazz Cafe; his collaboration with Jelani Blackman - ‘Maybe Not’ - featured on the Fifa 23 soundtrack, bringing millions of new ears to his music; he’s gone global too, shelling down the stage at Prague’s Frontline Festival in June, and attending the Klasgame tournament in Finland; and he’s taken to the airwaves as a co-presenter on Sian Anderson’s Radio 1Xtra show. Since his artistic rebirth in 2017, personal themes have been at the core of Manga’s work, so the birth of his daughter in April provides the emotional centerpiece of his upcoming project.
Having performed back-to-back festivals this summer, including Glastonbury, Eliza Legzdina has taken pride in being a fierce yet vulnerable artist lending her vocals to club-bangers with Idris Elba, Low Steppa, Joshwa, and JADED. ‘U Be U’ marks Manga’s second collaboration in quick succession after the following recent single ‘Kill Sound’ alongside Boy Better Know linchpin Frisco, which received nods from the likes of COLORS, Wonderland, CRACK and more. With all energy focused on the forthcoming project, Manga continues to master the art of finding balance in life and assures that everything is under control.