Mano: Jumping Over Boundaries

MANO FEBRUARY 2022

JUMPING OVER BOUNDARIES Inmate turned artist-author

Artist-Author Mano

Written by Ti'Juana "Mamarazzi" Hardwell

The power of a pen can unlock doors and write new chapters.

Or at least that’s how rap artist J. Anthony Jenkins of Chicago sees it. Anthony, also known as Mano, began writing, rapping and performing while only in grade school. But it wasn’t until after a few prison stints that he realized his knack for writing could take him further than he’d imagined. The published author is preparing for the release of an album project titled, “Suicide Squad,” inspired by the movie.

The first song he will debut is called “Money Talk.”

At 16 years old Mano was in a music group called “Second 2 None.” It gave him something to belong to. For many inner-city

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boys, they either played a sport or joined a gang.

“It’s not too many resources for kids in Chicago,” Mano said. “My neighborhood was considered gang-infested. Even the schools are infested with gangs and that’s who’s running the schools.”

At age 13 Mano had already joined a street-gang.

He was chasing street-life and only ever slowed down long enough to make beats on a table in his basement.

Mano launched a clothing and apparel line called LS. Once called Luxury Sex, the brand has evolved and is now Luxury Style. Shop the line by visiting ShopLSapparel.com.

Eventually he dropped out of high school and ventured deeper into gang life. Mano was consumed with drugs, clubs and women–and was later sentenced to time in prison. Time in prison put him around other criminals and he learned how to commit more crime because of it.

After being released he admitted to feeling “stuck” in Chicago. Opportunities were few and he was back in the streets to make ends meet. Believing that a change of scenery would bring about change, he relocated to Ohio. But just like before, he returned to prison.

But this time, Mano picked up his pen. He read a lot, earned his G.E.D. and completed more than 30 certificate programs. Mano began writing books, TV scripts, and refocused on his love of music.

Inspired by 50 Cent and Ice Cube whose careers in music led to screen-writing, Mano began taking his writing more seriously.

In April of last year he co-wrote a compact-thriller titled, “The Devil’s Stone,” with Alexxis Jaye. The book takes readers along the journey of a crew of bank robbers who embark on their last heist. The thieves are cursed by their latest find and encounter murder and betrayal.

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Mano plans to write more about his own life through his books and music.

“I talk about things that I’ve been through but also things that I want to do differently,” said Mano.

His focus now is on launching his LS (Luxury Style) clothing and apparel line, making movies, creating soundtracks and finishing the mix and mastering of his newest studio album.

“This is my first time giving this much attention to my mission, movement and my brand,” Mano said. “I never gave the music my 100% before but now–I am.”

Mano and his team have also given a new meaning to his J.O.B. squad. No longer seen as a Jump Out Boy, he has switched the narrative and now defines it as Jumping Over Boundaries.

“A guy like me can still make it despite my trials and tribulations,” said Mano. “There’s a lot of talented guys I’ve met who have never been given the opportunity to be more.”

“I want to do this for the forgotten writers and artists, those who people have overlooked,” Mano adds.

In April 2021, J. Anthony Jenkins (Mano) and Alexxis Jaye released "The Devil's Stone." They take readers on a journey with heistmen who are down on their luck after stealing rare diamonds. The book is available on Amazon or by going to anthonyandalexxis.com.

“Suicide Squad” will be released in spring 2022.

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