Hi! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Your project “Ancestor Money” revolves around ideas of generational wealth, more than financial, but intangible spiritual and emotional wealth as well. What is wealth to you, and what values do you hold to build different kinds of wealth?

Well, wealth spiritually is the most important thing to me & it is the true meaning of my project “ANCE$TOR MONEY”. Living in a modern capitalistic society the pursuit of finances is important to us all, but I feel as though spiritual currency is just as important. The values I hold to build different types of wealth are family, community, love, integrity, truth, justice, & righteousness to name a few.

The symbol of money for other kinds of wealth allow the visuals to tie into the narrative of the project seamlessly. What are some experiences that inspired you to send the message of this project?

The main experience was visiting my homeland on my father's side of the family Jamaica. When I visited Jamaica for the 1st time in 2023 it changed my life. It was there I saw for the 1st time in my life dollars with black people on them, specifically Marcus Garvey & Queen mother nanny of the maroons who were both prominent revolutionaries. Which sparked me to want to connect more with my Jamaican culture & heritage. My father is also a Rasta & I grew up with that philosophy & spiritual compass which also influenced this album.

What was the creative process like for the visuals and for the project overall?

The process for this album was intentional once I got the name everything else flowed. I knew I wanted to put Malcolm X on the dollar & I knew I wanted to flash it like how we do Outwest in Chicago. We call it “upping ooochie or upping roll” which basically just means to flash money. The twist is these dollars have a prominent ancestor on them instead of a colonizer. Which is a metaphor for the album, my brand, & what I represent. Valuing melanated people, our ancestors & future descendants. Doing it in a way this generation can receive, connect, & resonate with. Meeting them where they are.

The last time you spoke with These Days, you mentioned your ancestors giving you inspiration, and the importance of your background to your music is apparent in this project. What are some things you do that make you feel connected to your background in your music and in your life?

Well there are a few things I do that make me feel connected. I stay connected to my ancestors spiritually through prayer & offering. I know they walk with me so I also honor them by being a voice for those who may not be able to speak up outside of my spiritual practice. I also have been practicing my patois which is a language spoken in Jamaica & different islands in the Caribbean. I also listen to a lot of reggae / dancehall & a lot of hiphop feeding both sides of my DNA. Those are a few things that help me stay connected.

You have an impressive list of features on the album! How does community and collaboration support your message of generational wealth?

Community & collaboration mean the world to me. The features were intentional & I always wanted to work with the artists & producers on the album. They support my message by showing that we can build value with one another through our gifts through our passion. We can shift the narrative by uniting in return building generational wealth & creating memories making history & herstory in real time.

Who are some artists you admire and see on the come up next year in Chicago?

There are a lot of artists I admire to be honest: Prince Drive, Endy B, T star, Qpskiii, Jeff K%nz, $imba P, Dialectre, Bella BAHS, HUEY gang, Mike DFG, Young(in), Fydele, Myekehl, Stock Marley, Tree is free, Hottscott, Jaz Starr, King limitless, Kahrion, Danny Twelvetree, Inga, Retro Gibson, Shes face, cantbuydeem, Cris Dashon, Stuckey is winning, Snacks PIVOT, & Lj A Chicago kid to name a few. I know it’s a lot lol, but I love what all these artists are doing. There's more I'm missing I'm sure but tryna keep it to a minimum.

How can people support this project and upcoming projects? Can you tell us anything about what’s upcoming?

Well the best way to support it is to purchase it directly from me on EVEN buy the Art from the ARTIST. I have a headlining show at Reggie’s on my birthday Jan 11th 2026 it’s BUSSIN everybody & they mama gotta slide.

Thank you so much for your time! Is there anything else about yourself as an artist or this project you want to express?

ANCE$TOR MONEY is my gift to the diaspora. It's a statement representing diaspora unity. It’s the genesis of my mission to help unite & liberate oppressed people. Infinite love, divine guidance, & protection.

Mani Jurdan