Sitting down with Manga Saint Hilare poses one big question, who is he today? Is he the pioneering figure in grime music, known for his introspective lyricism that has seen him nominated for best rapper at the MOBO awards twice? Is he the member of rap crew Roll Deep, seeing a massive resurgence in 2025? Is he the BBC 1Xtra DJ?
“I find I have to compartmentalise my life at the moment, otherwise I find it all kind of blurs into one!”
Through his unique sound, often exploring themes of mental health and identity, Manga has consistently used his music to reflect on personal struggles, as well as addressing broader social issues.
A key thread in his work is the recurring theme of the word “outside” — a metaphor for both physical and mental space. Delving into these themes In his album titles like Outsiders Live Forever and Outbursts From The Outskirts, Manga uses the term to signal a desire for escape, personal freedom and a connection to the world beyond the confines of modern life. For Manga, “outside” represents a place of clarity, where he can explore his thoughts, face challenges and find solace. This idea echoes in both his music and public persona, where he encourages listeners to step out of their comfort zones and engage more deeply with the world around them, physically and emotionally.
Q: Your music has always been personal, but recently you’ve been speaking a lot about loneliness and mental health. What made you decide to dive into these themes in your latest work?
Manga Saint Hilare:
Loneliness is something that has been on my mind for a while now. It’s something that so many people are going through, whether they’re willing to admit it or not. In a way, it’s been a constant in my life — especially over the past few years with everything that’s happened in the world. I think the pandemic brought a lot of feelings of isolation to the surface for a lot of people, and it forced me to reflect on how we deal with those feelings. For me, music became an outlet to channel these emotions, but it’s also a way for me to connect with people who might be feeling the same way. If we can all acknowledge it, then maybe we can find ways to deal with it together.
Q: The pandemic did bring about a lot of change, both in how we work and how we interact. Many people have said that it exacerbated feelings of loneliness. What are your thoughts on how the modern world contributes to this sense of isolation?
Manga Saint Hilare:
The modern world is different from what we were used to. The rise of social media, the pressure to always be ‘on’, the disconnection between digital interaction and real, physical connection — it’s all a recipe for loneliness. People are more connected than ever, yet so many of us feel more alone than we did before. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? The digital world makes us feel like we’re in constant communication, but it’s shallow. You’re talking to people, but you’re not really with them. It’s just easy to fall into a routine of scrolling, liking and commenting without forming real bonds.
For me, I’ve realised that getting outside, moving your body and interacting with the world beyond the screen is so important, but it takes effort. You have to consciously break away from the digital space. A lot of people don’t even realize how much time they spend in this on their phone daily until it’s too late, and they’re stuck in their own heads. That’s why I’ve been so focused on the importance of being outside and staying active. It’s almost like therapy, but in a much more natural way.
Q: You mentioned the importance of being active and getting outside. How do you think that can help combat the loneliness that many people experience?
Manga Saint Hilare:
I really believe in the power of movement — not just physical exercise, but movement in terms of getting outside and into new environments. When you step out into nature or just go for a walk, there’s something about it that puts things into perspective. It’s like you’re reconnecting with the world around you. You’re moving your body, breathing fresh air and clearing your mind. There’s no screen in front of you. There’s no pressure. You’re just existing in the moment.
And it’s not just about the physical benefits — although they’re important too, obviously. There’s something grounding about being outside. You start to notice things you would’ve overlooked. You hear birds chirping, or you might see a person walking their dog, and in those small moments, there’s a connection to the world. It’s like you’re reminded that you’re part of something bigger.
Q: Do you have any personal experiences that helped you realize the importance of getting outside and staying active?
Manga Saint Hilare:
Definitely. I’ve had my fair share of moments where I’ve felt overwhelmed, isolated or even disconnected. I think it happens to everyone, especially when you’re in an environment that doesn’t allow you to breathe or clear your head. But I remember a few years ago, when I was going through a rough patch, I started taking long walks every day — sometimes for hours. I would just walk around the city or find parks and spend time in green spaces. I didn’t have an agenda. I wasn’t trying to get anywhere. It wasn’t exercise in the typical sense. It was more about moving through the space around me and being present.
And that’s when I started noticing shifts. I felt more connected to myself and to my surroundings. It wasn’t some big dramatic change, but over time, I found myself feeling less stressed, less anxious, and more aware of the little things that make life beautiful. The more I spent time outside, the more I started to feel grounded. It was like my body and mind were catching up with each other. The world didn’t feel so daunting anymore.
Q: A lot of people seem to think that they need to go to the gym or do intense workouts to get the benefits of being active. But it sounds like you’re saying it doesn’t need to be that structured?
Manga Saint Hilare:
Exactly! A lot of people think they need to do intense workouts or have some kind of fitness routine to feel good, and while that works for some, it’s not the only way to stay active. The real key is movement. Just walking, stretching, or even dancing around your living room can do wonders for your body and mind.
I think the gym can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker for people, especially if you’re not used to it or don’t feel comfortable in that environment. The real benefit is when you find what works for you and makes you feel good. If that’s going for a hike, cycling around your neighborhood, or simply standing up and walking around the house every hour, then that’s perfect. It’s about making small changes and creating habits that get you moving — and more importantly, get you out of your head.
Q: For someone who’s feeling disconnected or trapped in a cycle of loneliness, what would be your advice to help them start breaking out of it?
Manga Saint Hilare:
First, I’d say: don’t be hard on yourself. Loneliness is something that a lot of people go through, and it’s okay to feel it. But you have to take small steps to change your routine. Start with something simple. Take a walk every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Get out of your house. Speak to a stranger, even if it’s just saying “hello.” Just break the cycle.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s so important to reach out to people you trust. If you feel like you’re stuck in a negative space, talking to someone, whether it’s a friend, family member, therapist, it can make a big difference. The connection you’re looking for doesn’t have to be big or grand. It can start with something as simple as stepping outside with someone and taking in your surroundings. I have this lyric in a song with Murkage Dave, who is also one of the mentors for adicamps with me, “Even when I don’t want to speak, they just say ok cool say nothing and then we just say nothing” and I think thats very fitting.
Don’t underestimate the power of music. Music can be a lifeline in those moments when you’re feeling down. Whether you’re listening to something that lifts you up or writing your own thoughts, it’s a great way to feel less alone.
Q: You’ve mentioned your upcoming partnership with Adidas on their adicamp events, can you tell us a bit about this?
Manga Saint Hilare:
It’s this amazing new thing Adidas have started and I’m truly blessed to be involved in. adicamp are free festivals all across London, encouraging young adults to get outside and be sociable. It’s been a really important project to me as it’s giving young people this opportunity that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Growing up is getting harder and harder, with modern life seeming more alienating than ever. We need to build communities, and open doors for the youth and adicamp is a perfect place to start this change.
Q: Any final thoughts before we go?
Manga Saint Hilare:
I think there’s a lot of room to explore how we as individuals can better connect with ourselves and with the world around us. I want to keep learning about how to stay grounded and present in an increasingly busy world. I’ve been exploring different ways to connect with nature and movement in my own life, and I want to incorporate more of that into my music and message. Ultimately, it’s about showing people that they’re not alone — that we’re all navigating this together. And if we keep moving forward, we’ll get through it. We need to look after us.