Contemporary sound-based artists transform your MCA experience on a select day of the month with custom soundtracks reflecting their perspective of works on view in the museum.

How would you describe a layered sound? Manasseh answers this question by layering his voice a multitude of times to create what he calls “Psychedelic Soul.” For this Soundtrack, Manasseh performs original arrangements, including songs from his upcoming project Variations V1 – I’ll Be, in response to Martine Syms: She Mad Season One.

The Chicagoan has been a practicing musician since childhood with influences from his vocalist mother and the church. Using his voice as a tool to provide his story to listeners, he also accompanies it with a voice effects pedal that allows these layers to be further expanded, creating a journey through sounds made in a multiverse that comes together in each song. Manasseh’s music is like a deep whisper added to a seamless autobiographical soundtrack. With vulnerability both on his tracks and on stage, Manasseh invites anyone with a story to tell to feel empowered listening to him shed his own layers in front of them.

This Soundtrack is organized by Otez Gary, Curatorial Assistant, with the Performance and Public Practice team.