Anthony Manning, better known as VillaBoy Slimm, has been building momentum in the underground rap scene from his home base in Savannah, Georgia. With a new EP dropping next February and a growing catalog of releases, the rapper’s blend of melodic hooks and street-informed lyrics has started resonating beyond his immediate circle.
His latest single “I Kno U Like It” dropped back in April under OnePointFiveEnt and Xplosiv Records, and it’s been gaining solid attention throughout the year. The 2:34 track is pure mid-2000s revival—heavy bass, hard-hitting production, and direct shoutouts to the era that defined a generation of hip-hop. Manning namechecks Soulja Boy and references the 2006 wave that brought us “poppin’ tags” and “dope boy swag,” wrapping it all in the kind of energy that made “lean with it, rock with it” a cultural moment. It’s nostalgia done right, tapping into that specific swagger without feeling forced or dated.
“My sound is real — a mix of pain, ambition, and celebration,” Manning explains. “It’s melodic rap with emotion and energy, where every line tells a story. You’ll feel the hunger, the lessons, and the wins.” He’s dubbed his style “motivational street music” — tracks you can ride to and relate to simultaneously.
The upcoming EP, “Made From Nothing,” drops February 13, 2026, and represents eight tracks Manning calls his most personal project yet. “Made From Nothing isn’t just a title — it’s my truth,” he says. “I came from the bottom, and I’m proof that your circumstances don’t define you. If my music can motivate even one person to keep pushing, I’ve done my job.”
That journey started early. Manning was writing rhymes in middle school, processing what he saw in his Savannah neighborhood. By high school, he was recording in a friend’s bedroom studio with basic equipment and big ambitions. That grind became the foundation for One Point Five Entertainment Inc., which he now runs alongside his partnership with Xplosiv Records. He previously worked with the group VillaBoyz before going solo.
His influences run deep—Tupac, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne for their raw storytelling, plus newer voices like Nipsey Hussle and Future for their approaches to independence and consistency. Those reference points show up in how Manning structures both his music and his business.
He’s got visuals coming for “100 Miles & Runnin” and “JetLag,” with live performances scheduled throughout the Southeast in early 2026. “No matter where you start, your grind can rewrite your story,” Manning says—a philosophy that’s less slogan and more lived experience.
Fans can follow VillaBoy Slimm on Instagram, Facebook, SoundCloud, and TikTok.
