Kareem Manuel a.k.a. Katalyst

Many will be shocked to find out that Lions and Liars is more than an album or website. A few of Sho Baraka’s close friends have decided to assemble to create a production company that brings creativity, production, writing and direction to artists who don’t have label or executive producers to support them. Just recently, Lions and Liars linked up with an up and coming artist from the Chicago–Kareem Manuel a.k.a. Katalyst.

We are extremely excited to be teaming up with Katalyst and Legacy Music for his upcoming project! We believe God has blessed Katalyst with an amazing gift. His passion to see our LORD exalted before men is encouraging. As a new production company, we believe in our gifts and believe that this will be a wonderful partnership. We hope to make Katalyst’s next project one that sonically compliments his Christ-centered content. We decided to ask Katalyst a couple of questions so that our family would get acquainted with him.

1) Tell us who Katalyst is? Maybe a quick testimony…

I have no idea when I got saved. I said ‘the prayer’ at 5, rededicated at 14, and learned what the heck the Gospel meant at 17, so somewhere in there I was redeemed by the King. I was born in Queens, NY and lived in Tennessee, the Bahamas, Georgia, and finally, Chicago all by the time I was 7.  I started rapping at 14, and the catalyst for that (pun certainly intended) was Lil Bow Wow. He was killing when he came out–with the braids and that video when he hopped of the bike and was rapping semi-fast. I was like daaaag.  I started doing positive music; then, after the rededication or salvation I went straight Gospel.

I’ve been married for two years and just had a baby boy three months ago. I released an album last year called “Death By Design” which is a whole different testimony. That turned into a label called Legacy Music with myself, Decipha and two other brothers from Legacy Fellowship(the church plant out of Legacy Conference). Creative naming I know.

2) How did this partnership come about?

I was really grinding on this new album and trying to learn how to master the arena that I’m in–not just rapping but the business and ministry side that comes with making music too. A friend (Lecrae )told me what was about to go on here (Lions and Liars), so I reached out. It’s interesting because I never reach out. I feel like I am invading! You know like when you hear that someone is having a party, but you weren’t invited, but then you go to the host of the party and ask if you can bring anything. Then, they say, “It’s not really that big…just friends and family.” But you still don’t get it, show up and make everyone uncomfortable. That’s how I always feel, but I was too excited about this possibility and said, “What the heck! I’ll try and hope for the best.”

2) What excites you about working with Lions and Liars Productions?

Three things.

Creativity – I think that this genre that I am in is still so young. People are still learning how to find their own voice and style and not copy the biggest guys; they’re learning how to record, mix and master, and people are even still learning how to market creatively. I feel with the team set up at L&L, the envelope will always be shoved. The atmoshpere will allow for creative ideas to flourish without feeling contrived or forced. It will be organic, because I will be pushed to grow while still being allowed to be me.

Expertise – There is something to be said about those that have gone before. Imagine Timothy trying to make disciples and Paul saying, “Hey, lil homie, you should probably try this,” and then a young talented Timothy says, “I’m straight, this way is fresh.”  That didn’t happen. In the same way I know so little about where I am trying to go, L&L knows a little more. I’ll follow and learn from those that have gone and are still going ahead

Growth – Ok, what if everyone around you was trying to be the very best at what they did? Parents, teachers, painters, artists, label heads, so on and so forth. What if they were always pushing you to pursue your passion with passion? How different would you live? That’s what I feel with the partnership I have here with L&L and Legacy Music–a crew of people who want to run the race well, but want to run their race well, not mine. They will support and push me to master MY arena. That’s pretty special.

3) The Christian music industry does not have alot of A&R’s or real Executive Producers. Why did you feel the need to make this step?

I took this step because music is a completely different type of media; consequently, it’s consumed differently than any other medium. It’s one of the few types of media you consume first and then possibly buy. What I mean is that you hear a song, if you like it you may by the song or the album, but not till after you have decided if you like the artist and after you have consumed some of his product. With movies, you go to the theater or rent a film hoping that you like it. You’ve already paid, but you haven’t consumed. With that said, I feel that as artists we can’t just make music anymore, because you may not get it all. You may only come to my website, or you may hear a few songs, or only be some social networking friend. If that is the case, I still want you to get my message. I still want you to be challenged, inspired, or intrigued by the art I created. Having creative consultants–who are beasts–help me make more than just songs but a whole movement, so that if you only come to the site you’re touched in some way, or if you only buy half the album you’re moved. My hope is that if you do decide to enjoy the whole experience it will be like listening to an album in IMAX 3d.

4) What do you expect the major differences to be from your first project to the next album coming up?

On “Death By Design,” I was just creating songs. I had a loose frame that I built around, but really I was just writing about what I was learning and where I was. I didn’t know anything about anything in the industry; I just hoped  by the grace of the King it was done well. It was like pulling teeth trying to get decent tracks, and I spent most of the time just learning how I wanted to rap. This album, I’m focused because I know more of what I am doing. I have a direction that I am going in and I’m running that way with everything I’ve got. Obviously, having a team of talented individuals who will be able to share their opinion and push for excellence and cohesion was not something I had last time around.

5) What would success with L&L Productions look like in your eyes?

If, at the end of the day, we say people will be challenged and encouraged by the Gospel from this album and the music is dope, then it will be successful. Failure only happens if one of those things doesn’t. Selling a bunch of records is cool, and having people say you nice on the mic is great. But if those two things don’t happen, then both parties have wasted their time on this effort.

Keep up with Katalyst on Twitter @Katalystmusic as he works on his next album with L&L Productions!