What inspired you to become a musician?
I am Ivo Manifest Ayuk also known as ‘I Manifest’. What inspired me to become a musician actually dates back to when I was a little child. At age five, I began to sing in the church choir. As children, we sang songs from the hymnal companion and choir ministrations that fired my zeal to become first a lover of music and later a musician. At that tender age, I was a choir member of the Presbyterian Church, Kumba, Cameroon. That’s where I was born.
 Why then do you play reggae instead of gospel or other genre?
Actually, reggae is like a calling to me. I don’t do reggae because of one thing or the other; it is a spiritual music, very unique, and with a lot of messages. It is conscious music and I’m the conscious type, that’s why I play reggae. Right now, I play a kind of mixture of reggae and new school disco, Nigerian Afropop. I have blended the two to come up with something that can match with what is happening on the music scene in the country right now.
 Some people say that reggae is dying especially since the death of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and lately, South Africa-born Lucky Dube. What’s your opinion on this?
Well, what can I say? Reggae cannot die. It cannot die because it is like the mother of all music. You have to remember that in every genre of music you have a touch of reggae. If rub-a-dub is gone, or root rock, it does not really mean reggae is dead, it will still manifest in another form either as mid-tempo or funk.
 How many albums have you?
Actually, I am preparing an album. I have many songs that will give me at least three albums. For now, I’m trying to promote some of the songs as singles. It’s on air now on AIT, STV, TVC, and HIP TV channels with the track, ‘Riddle’. What I’m doing is test the waters and see how people would react to my brand of music.
 When did you come to Nigeria?
I did not come straight from Cameroon to Lagos. I was born in Kumba, but grew up in Yaoundé. In 2010, I traveled to Lagos from Yaoundé.
 Are you permanently here now?
For now, I live and work in Lagos; I am not really permanent here.
 Why did you come to work here?
I came because of the huge market. Nigeria is number one industry in music and entertainment in Africa. It is top on the league; it is a big player in Nollywood and music. So, I want to make it in my career and the huge market is sine qua non to my success outside Cameroon.
 Now that you have identified the market, do you plan to settle down here?
I just need sometime. I don’t know what God is planning for me.
 Looking at you, one would think you are married? Are you married or single?
No, I’m not yet married. I am single and searching.
 How then do you cope with Nigerian ladies?
(Laughs) That question is tough. As I’m able to cope with the men, I also cope with women side by side.
 No, as a musician already in love with Nigeria, what of her women?
I’d just leave that for the time being. I don’t know God’s plans for me in that regard. If a good one comes my way, why, I will marry her. If she comes from Cameroon or elsewhere, so long as it is the will of God, no qualms, no problems at all, I will marry her. Personally, I have no restrictions on that. It can happen here or Cameroon, anywhere.
 Coming from a Francophone background, how do you cope with the challenge of English language?
Cameroon is a bilingual country; a real Cameroonian must attend school where English Language is taught because French is the official language. The reason is because countries sharing borders with Cameroon either speak English or French, so to be on the safe side you should be bilingual. That’s why I am able to cope in Lagos because I speak English.
 As you are busy promoting your debut, have you thought of a ‘collabo’ with any Nigerian musician?
There are many that I admire. I like Tuface, Flavour, D’banj, Wizkid, and Femi Kuti. I wish to work with them all.
 Yea, these are all male artistes, what about the females?
I wish to work with Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, and the like. Most of them are doing well and they are getting all the accolades.
 When are we actually expecting your full album now that promotion of the single is underway?
For now, I am still working on the album. I want the promo to go on awhile, to use it and test run the main album. To determine the reaction of the people, the market and its future, if it goes well and the response is encouraging, I will push in the album.
Which Nigerian foods do you like eating?
I love Affang, Edikang Ikong, and Uha soup.
 Now that you are going professional, would you still have time for your academics? My life is just music and music all the time. I don’t want to do any other thing. Music is my essence. The level of my education will see me through my career.