WHO IS HE?
Josue Manuel Velez is a Puerto Rican MC born and raised in Connecticut. From a problem child to a troublesome teen, music has been a vital form of expression, a therapy of sorts. In the year 2000 he was convicted of 1st degree assault & sentenced to 8 years suspended after 1, with 5 years probation. Forced to spend the next year locked down for 23 hours a day, Man-u-iLL started taking music serious. Instead of just writing raps to impress peers and/or crush cyphers, he started writing actual songs with concepts and structure, its also where "lil Josh" was giving the name Man-u-iLL. A few nights after his release in 2001 Man-u-iLL was jumped and left with a few minor and a couple more serious lacerations on his face and head. Still a magnet for trouble he unfortunately found himself stuck in the prison systems merciless revolving door, having to do 2 more shorter sentences in the coming years.
Fast forward, 2017... Man-u-iLL has his own business, iLL iNK Graphic Printing Studio, which has been established since late 2011, his first child was born last year and he is on his way to tying the knot next year. With the responsibilities of running a business, maintaining a relationship & raising a child, he still manages to find time to chase his dream of being placed among Hip Hop's elite.
The lyrical journey started in 2001, recording from closet to bedroom, his first project was released in 2004, an 80 minute mix-tape titled "Who's Man-u-iLL" shortly thereafter he was sentenced to 4 out of the 7 years he had hanging over his head, during in which time he bettered his self in every way possible especially physically, spiritually, and lyrically. He made it to a halfway house in 2008 & immediately started working on the classick S.i.N (Struggle Is Necessary). 6 more projects later he is still at it. His latest piece of work "Man In The Mirror" shows his growth not only as an artist but as a man.
He's won a number of showcases, has been played on FM & internet radio, has opened up for "bigger names", was the prototype for the documentary series "Behind The Unsigned" that Fuse.TV picked up for a couple seasons and most recently has had a video played on MTV Jams. Somehow he is no where near where he should be... Why? Is it his skill? His age? appearance maybe? None of this discourages the CT MC as he keeps doing what he loves, hoping & waiting patiently to one day be able to share it with the world.
Fast forward, 2017... Man-u-iLL has his own business, iLL iNK Graphic Printing Studio, which has been established since late 2011, his first child was born last year and he is on his way to tying the knot next year. With the responsibilities of running a business, maintaining a relationship & raising a child, he still manages to find time to chase his dream of being placed among Hip Hop's elite.
The lyrical journey started in 2001, recording from closet to bedroom, his first project was released in 2004, an 80 minute mix-tape titled "Who's Man-u-iLL" shortly thereafter he was sentenced to 4 out of the 7 years he had hanging over his head, during in which time he bettered his self in every way possible especially physically, spiritually, and lyrically. He made it to a halfway house in 2008 & immediately started working on the classick S.i.N (Struggle Is Necessary). 6 more projects later he is still at it. His latest piece of work "Man In The Mirror" shows his growth not only as an artist but as a man.
He's won a number of showcases, has been played on FM & internet radio, has opened up for "bigger names", was the prototype for the documentary series "Behind The Unsigned" that Fuse.TV picked up for a couple seasons and most recently has had a video played on MTV Jams. Somehow he is no where near where he should be... Why? Is it his skill? His age? appearance maybe? None of this discourages the CT MC as he keeps doing what he loves, hoping & waiting patiently to one day be able to share it with the world.
