Worcester, Massachusetts emcee & actor Tierre Diaz returning 6 years after his full-length debut studio album Energy by making the sophomore effort his Armed Robbery Entertainment debut. Ever since performing the Clown Drip Stage at the 21st annual Gathering of the Juggalos which is the only Gathering that I’ve ever been to in my lifetime, he’s been seeing the biggest successes of his career whether it be DJ Clay signing him to A•R or forming the B.A.R.S. supergroup over 12 months ago exactly. He performed at this year’s Juggalo Weekend, so it makes sense to drop Maniflex a month later.

“The Wave” begins with a cloudy trap instrumental talking about everyone else being in a whole different lane compared to him whereas the title track keeps it atmospheric so he can shine as if he never even left. “Prime” goes for a guitar-driven trap direction keeping focused & never noticing others leading into “B.O.T.H. (Blood On The Hood)” showing a bit of a Memphis influence getting violent.

As for “Shiny”, going for a cloudier trap vibe once again telling everyone to quit acting as if they’re blind to the success he’s been seeing these past several years just before “Let’s Live” hooks up these prominent horns trying to go to places he ain’t ever been. “Bad Meets Killa” featuring Royce da 5’9” & produced by Johnny Slash returning to the boom bap to lay out hardcore lyricism, but then “Fantastic” featuring Ant G aptly explains how they’ve been.

The Insane Clown Posse joins Tierre for “Trending Topics” that Shaggytheairhead laced poking fun at everyone who be following trends while “Michael Myers Jordan Jackson” after the “MMJJ” interlude talks about being a mix of the Halloween antagonist, the greatest basketball player of all-time & the king of pop. “How Can I Sleep?” featuring King Gordy & Zitro ominously gets the trio in their wicked shit bags while “So It Is (RAPfirmations)” talks about being the person he always wanted to become.

“Delight” featuring Romey Sklar fuses trap & pop rap displaying a sensual side to both of them while “Girlfriend” embraces a rap rock sound talking about a woman who wants to date him. “urself” encourages everyone to be their true selves since ain’t nobody gonna come close to being you while “Time” continues the cloudiness talking every day being anew & hitting snooze.

The song “What’s Next for Me” aggressively nears the end of Tierre’s long-awaited Armed Robbery debut maintaining the fusion of hip hop & rock courtesy of Zug Izland guitarist Mike P. confessing that he’s unsure of whatever God has planned for him continuing to take the road he’s been going nonetheless & “Last Breath” is this gloomy trap outro talking about not wanting to have any regrets when his time to go comes.

In the 6 years since Energy, the Worcester artist/actor has had quite a few realized goals or dreams of his becoming manifested all in this era of his career & Maniflex attests to his growth since he first started making music. The production shows influences of boom bap, trap, rap rock & horrorcore with some of his biggest influences joining him on the mic spreading a message that has changed Tierre for the better & could change yours too.

Score: 4/5

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