Mannex

Born Emmanuel Chamunorwa Motsi on 10 July 1980 in Harare, Mannex formed his first group, Bootkin Klan, in 2002. They released their first album ‘Tsamba’ (letter) in 2003 and had a hit in 2004 with ‘Anoti Nyo Ndiani?’ (who dares?). Mannex went on to join and perform with a live band, The Pied Pipers, a jazz contemporary group from the 70s famous for the hit ‘Ruva Rangu’ (my flower). In 2005, Mannex broke his ties with Bootkin Klan and Pied Pipers to go solo, releasing the hit video, ‘Munhu Mutema’.

In 2008, Mannex was invited to join the Transit Crew as lead singer, replacing Culture Tee and Emmanuel Frank. In March 2009 they released an album titled 'Unity', which included the hit 'Tsamba Reply', written and composed by Mannex. In May 2009, Mannex and other artists from Warren Park established the Warren Park Arts & Kulture Development Association (WAPAKUDA), which has since hosted numerous cultural celebrations, fundraising events and clean-up campaigns. In 2009 and 2010 he was based in the Czech Republic and Ghana, recording with local acts in both countries and building his international fanbase.

In April 2010, he rejoined the Transit Crew and also performed backing vocals for Jamacian heavyweights Sizzla Kalonji and Yasus Afari at HIFA 2010. In early 2011 he returned to HIFA, this time on stage with Czech friends Semtam. In 2012 Mannex formed his own band, Mannex & MoFamilee, which blends reggae with traditional Zimbabwean sounds. In June 2012 he worked at Monolio Studio on his second eight-track Zim-reggae album, 'Mo Love'. In January 2013 Mannex returned to the Czech Republic to feature on Semtam's album 'Optimists by Choice', which in March 2014 was nominated for the local Anděl Awards for best ska/reggae project in the Czech Republic.