Ghana was well represented in Queens on Friday (June 12). As the 2026 FIFA World Cup festivities continued across New York and New Jersey, rapper M.anifest stepped onto the stage at the Queens Group Stage HQ opening concert and delivered a performance that blended Hip Hop, African rhythms and hometown pride. The event took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, where fans gathered to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event.

Headlined by Nas, the show also featured Erick the Architect, Aria Vega, Juls and Miyachi. For M.anifest, the appearance marked another international stage in a career that continues to help bring Ghanaian music to audiences around the world.

Throughout his set, the artist balanced fan favorites with newer material, keeping the crowd engaged as supporters from different countries filled the venue. Opening with “B.E.A.R” before moving into tracks including “Eye Red,” “Bad Man,” “Suffer II” and “Forget Dem,” he showcased the range that has made him one of Ghana’s most respected voices. He also treated fans to a blend of “Someway Bi” and “Puff Puff” before closing with “100%.”

Born and raised in Accra, M.anifest has built a reputation as one of Africa’s leading lyricists. He is signed to Mass Appeal Records, the label co-founded by Nas. Over the years, he has earned honors including Best Rapper of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards and Best Artist in African Hip Hop at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). His catalog also includes collaborations with artists such as Burna Boy and Erykah Badu.

Inside the 2026 FIFA World Cup fan experience in Queens

The Queens Group Stage HQ, organized by the New York New Jersey Host Committee, is one of several official fan destinations created for this year’s World Cup. Operating from June 11 through June 27, the site offers live match screenings, musical performances, cultural programming, community activations and appearances from artists, athletes and public figures under the theme “The World’s Game in the World’s Borough.” Attendees at the venue can watch matches, explore interactive experiences and enjoy performances from a lineup that includes Ella Mai, Wyclef Jean and Busta Rhymes, among others.

The World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament is the first men’s edition to be hosted by three nations and the first to feature 48 teams competing across 104 matches before the final in the New York-New Jersey region.

With supporters representing countless nationalities packed into Flushing Meadows, M.anifest’s performance felt fitting for the occasion. He transformed a World Cup fan event into a celebration of Ghanaian creativity, highlighting how music and football can bring people together across cultures, languages and borders.