Rising Ghanaian singer HKR Manuel today unveils his captivating new single, “Palmwine.” This soulful Afro-Fusion track draws inspiration from the intoxicating feeling of deep obsession or love, where the lines of reality beautifully blur. It captures that sweet, heady rush where love feels like a powerful, delightful drug, and you willingly lose yourself in the experience.
“Palmwine” holds a unique origin story. In December 2023, HKR Manuel entered a beat contest judged by industry stalwarts Appietus, Altra Nova, and Juls. While some judges appreciated his beat despite its raw mix, Juls was unequivocally unenthusiastic, leading to HKR Manuel’s elimination. “At the time, I was crushed,” HKR Manuel admits, “But looking back, that moment lit something in me.”
A couple of years later, during a lighthearted conversation with his friend Khxnbeats, the memory resurfaced. HKR Manuel playfully declared, “Watch me make a beat better than Juls ever has and call it Palmwine.” The name itself is a playful nod to Juls’s well-known “Palmwine Diaries” project. Leaning into the same highlife-inspired fusion that Juls has mastered, HKR Manuel crafted the beat and recorded the vocals, realizing he had created something deeply personal and resonant.
“Funny enough, I’m genuinely thankful to Juls now,” he shares. “That moment pushed me. Without it, this record wouldn’t exist.” HKR Manuel is an up-and-coming artist from Ghana, known for blending Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Alternative sounds to forge a unique sonic identity. With a deep passion for storytelling through music, he delivers raw, emotive performances that connect profoundly with his audience. His artistry is driven by authenticity, innovation, and a relentless desire to push the boundaries of contemporary African music.
“Palmwine” is more than just a song; it’s a testament to artistic resilience and the transformative power of a challenge.
