On Friday, Sept. 21, the Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture will launch its 6th Annual Year in Toronto. Manifesto Community Projects is a non-profit grassroots organization working to energize, support, and celebrate Toronto’s diverse music and arts community. 

Uniting various art forms – art exhibitions, dance competitions, workshops, free outdoor concerts, film screenings, networking opportunities, seminars, and more – Manifesto creates powerful and engaging experiences offering opportunities for young artists to grow.

Two such artists are Toronto-based pHoenix Pagliacci and JellyTooFly, who both performed last year at Manifesto’s massive free outdoor concert at Yonge & Dundas Square. Both artists have returned this year as two prominent female performers set to throw down on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Manifesto’s Live at the Square.

She Does the City had the chance to connect with both artists and here’s what they had to say about their experiences with Manifesto.

SDTC: Tell us about your experiences in “First Look Cypher” at Manifesto 2011. What was most memorable about performing at Yonge & Dundas Square with fellow local talent?

pHoenix: That was my introduction to those artists as performers. I had heard a lot of their work, and vice versa, but I never got to see them live. I never got to experience the energy, the passion that came from them rocking the mic. It was just pure raw energy. And the most memorable thing about it all was how naturally we all clicked.

JellyTooFly: I remember being really nervous at the thought of being on a stage in front of Toronto, let alone the circle of talent. My most memorable moment would have to be when I performed “All Black Everything” and heard the crowd singing along.

SDTC: How have you grown as artists since performing in “First Look Cypher” last year?

pHoenix: With all the views the promo vid got, and with all the people who discovered me last year, I got a lot of support for my debut album “Books, Bucks & Beats Vol. 1: Holla at a Schola” (available now on iTunes). I had a lot of requests for features, shows and interviews since then. Also, the verse I quoted in the First Look Cypher video is quite popular with the ladies. My growth is far from finished, but I have definitely sprouted new leaves since the Cypher.

JellyTooFly: As an artist I’ve grown in many ways especially when it comes to going deeper with my lyrics not just rapping about the regular joe things, but taking real life experiences and expressing them in ways everyone can relate to, also really looking into myself as an artist and what I stand for.

SDTC: What does it mean to you to be performing as two of the main female acts at Manifesto 2012? How have your female influences contributed to Manifesto in uniting, supporting and celebrating musical talent?

pHoenix: It is the HIGHEST honour to be performing at Toronto’s biggest Hip-Hop Festival, and as a female emcee, I am SO grateful for the opportunity. I know Eternia has always been a big supporter of my music, and I of hers. Her and Jean Grae are 2 of the biggest influences on my artistry and I am so thankful for role models like them to look up to and guide me through this culture. I love the way that they show each other love and remind all the other female emcees that we don’t have to scratch and claw our way to the top. There’s a lot of room for more than one. We can help each other be great. Both ladies will be on my next album.

JellyTooFly: It means a lot. It means I’m doing something right. It means it’s only a matter of time before they #RespectThisFemaleShit. To be honest there were no specific females that I looked up to however I realized growing up and seeing my mother survive and struggle made me always push for more. So you can say she played a big role.

SDTC: If music is the greatest language on earth, how does it affect the various communities Manifesto engages to participate?

pHoenix: Manifesto uses the power and unifying abilities of music to spread messages of peace and love to surrounding communities. Last year’s motto was “Each One, Teach One” and this year’s motto is “Love by Every Means Necessary.” Manifesto shows nothing but love and support for its community and reminds people that Hip-Hop is more than just rapping. From the panels, to the Art Shows, to the workshops to the food, Manifesto is a celebration for EVERYone.

JellyTooFly: It’s a form of expression that the majority communities can relate to.

SDTC: What can we expect to see from you in the coming year?

pHoenix: I’m dropping a project each month for the rest of the year, leading up to my follow-up album dropping in December. I plan to make them available for a donation for the first week and then free afterwards. The donations will be going towards Toronto Youth Program Initiatives. I released pHoemo on September 12th. On Oct 31st I’ll be releasing a collaborative project with True School Corp.’s DJ Face entitled “Face of a Phoenix”. November 14th is my birthday and I’ll be releasing “Feature Presentation”, which is a collection of my favourite features. And then “Books, Bucks & Beats Vol. 2: Rise of Baby Buddah” will be released on Dec. 12, 2012.

JellyTooFly: Got a few out of town shows coming up, working on new music of course and getting all this merchandise ready to be released for those trying to get #TooFly all updates JellyTooFly.com.

Catch “First Look Cypher” feat. pHoenix Pagliacci and JellyTooFly at Manifesto 2011:

First Look Cypher Part 1 | First Look Cypher Part 2

Visit themanifesto.ca for Manifesto 2012 – Sept. 21-23 Schedule

~ Krys Stefanski