MBNel

Biography

Born and raised in Stockton, CA, “one of the most dangerous cities in America,” MBNel survived the street wars and emerges to tell us the brutal honest truth: real heroes don’t have capes. As a first-generation Filipino-American rapper, he aims to change stereotypes and put a spotlight on his hometown. Influenced by artists like Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle and Mozzy, MBNel is also inspired by Chicago rappers like G Herbo, Lil Bibby and Lil Durk who share a similar reality growing up around gang culture and use rap to share their stories.

In 2017, he released his first music video “Love My Gang” that hit 20,000 views in a week and climbed to over 2.3 million views. Next single “Pose To” grabbed another 20,000 views out the gate and now at over 1.6 Million views. In 2018, MBNel partnered with Northern California tastemakers Thizzler On The Roof for his first mixtape Forever. The tape featured Nel’s breakout song “In My City” that has gained over 7.7 Million views and 2.5 Million plays on Spotify along with “Day Onez” that has 3 Million views and 1.5 Million plays on Spotify . He followed with “On Me,” a collaboration with Long Beach rapper $tupid Young that gained 6 Million views and led to their joint projects The Yellow Tape and The Yellow Tape 2.

In 2019, MBNel signed with Bay Area label EMPIRE and released his mixtape Misunderstood and album Born To Win that features Mozzy, TeeJay3k, Lil Bean, and Lil Poppa. On July 17, 2020 he’ll release his newest project the Child Of The Trenches EP.

Press Releases

Jun 26 2020 MBNel is "Heroic" in new song and music video
MBNel debuts new song and video
“Heroic” featuring Blxst

Produced by Mike Crook & Keanu Beats

Lead Single from Child Of The Trenches EP available July 17

“For hip-hop fans on the west coast,
MBNel is considered by many to be one of the hottest
up-and-coming rappers in music.
To the rest of the music world,
MBNel remains a secret yet to be discovered.”

– Elevator

WATCH “HEROIC” MUSIC VIDEO
LISTEN TO “HEROIC”

Stockton, CA rapper MBNel shares the lead single and music video “Heroic” from the upcoming 6-song Child Of The Trenches EP available via Muddy Boyz/EMPIRE on July 17. Over a hopeful sweet-sounding track co-produced by Mike Crook [Doja Cat, Blueface] and Keanu Beats [Migos, Polo G, Lil Baby], MBNel takes the mic not only to bear witness to his past gang life and struggles with drugs and poverty, but also to seize the opportunity for a different life for his children. The music video is directed by Blu and the song features multi-talented Los Angeles producer and R&B artist Blxst.

“I heard the beat by Mike Crook and it just spoke to me. Being a hero and chasing fame ain’t what it’s all about for me. Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they like being villains too. Nobody’s perfect and I’m just a regular guy like everyone else. So knowing that, if someone can relate to my songs and gets inspired to do better, then it’s all worth it,” explains MBNel.

The new music follows MBNel’s collaboration with Long Beach rapper $tupid Young entitled The Yellow Tape 2. Their first collaboration The Yellow Tape EP featured stand-out track “On Me” that has gained over 6 Million views. Hypebeast calls MBNel a “fast rising Northern California native” and Elevator says he delivers an “authentic sound that carries lyrics with actual substance.”

MBNel’s honest lyrics not only delve into his struggles in the streets but also delivers a pure message of hope to his fans. His breakout success came in 2018 with “In My City” that shined a light on life in his hometown that has racked up over 10 Million plays via YouTube and Spotify.

# # #

Publicity

Contact

Biography

Press Releases

Photos

Dimensions

Credit

Dimensions