\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be in it to win it.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

That\u2019s Manny Cabo\u2019s mantra. It\u2019s no wonder this award-winning singer and music editorial photographer is making an indelible mark on the competitive entertainment industry not only with his talent, but by the lasting impact he has on practically everyone he encounters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manny broke linguistic barriers when he became the first New Jersey native to have an incredible four-chair turn on NBC\u2019S <\/span>The Voice<\/span><\/i>. He also showcased his vocal prowess on NBC\/Telemundo’s <\/span>La Voz<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For him, <\/span>The Voice<\/span><\/i> was an amazing experience. <\/span>\u201cIt allowed me to share my talents as a singer \u2026 but it also gave me a purpose.<\/span><\/i> Not only did I turn the judges\u2019 chairs, but I also turned the hearts of many people who doubted me <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>themselves.<\/span><\/i> I got to use my voice and this platform to be the voice of so many artists out there who have been through the same types of hardships and struggles I have.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Manny\u2019s most recent devastation was losing his dad to COVID-19 on December 1, 2020. The tragedy has given him a different outlook on life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe tend to be focused on the illusions of this world and the accolades rather than the things that matter, like family,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said Manny, who has learned to appreciate every second and every breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manny\u2019s connection with his parents began even before he was born.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors had advised them not to have him, because it wouldn\u2019t be an easy delivery, and chances were, he wouldn\u2019t make it. His dad was defiant:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not. We\u2019re having this kid.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

Manny\u2019s sense of gratitude was unmistakable. <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m here because of him. That\u2019s why I\u2019m always inclined to favor the underdog and never give up on anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Manny\u2019s dad, a professional photographer, was also the first person to put a camera in his hands. Manny watched his father capturing moments in time that would never recur, and he discovered his own love for photography. His fascination eventually turned into a career, bridging the gap between music and photography for his fellow artists and leading to rare endorsement deals with Sennheiser, Photoflex, and Westone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whereas Manny\u2019s father is also connected to his love of music, having raised Manny on a steady diet of an eclectic range, Manny credits his mother, an aspiring singer in her younger days, with teaching him to be a loving person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up, Manny was often bullied. His mom told him, <\/span>\u201cYou are a beautiful person, because you have a lot to offer this world. Don\u2019t let people skew the way you are because of their negative influences, pitfalls, and insecurities.\u201d<\/span><\/i> She is the main impetus for his anti-bullying and anti-hate messages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly, Manny\u2019s parents impacted his life in beautiful ways. He vividly recalled his dad\u2019s words just before he took him to the hospital:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so proud of you, son. Of everything you\u2019ve done. Just promise me that you\u2019ll never give up.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

That\u2019s a promise Manny can easily make. He keeps his life free from toxic experiences and narratives and describes himself as <\/span>\u201ca big risk-taker.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll never know unless you take that leap of faith. What\u2019s the worst that could happen? There are always other opportunities that stem from being bold, because the universe loves a stubborn artist.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Manny is also now committed to living without regrets. <\/span>\u201cLive your life, because you\u2019re useless to others if you\u2019re not useful to yourself,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he advised.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the reason he started his <\/span>Mojo for Musicians<\/span><\/i> podcast. <\/span>\u201cI give my audience the reason to embrace the why in the music business, and I provide the tools to help them pursue their passion.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the entertainment industry, you need to have tough skin. What I\u2019ve found fascinating about the podcasting community is that they are the most helpful, approachable, and receptive people in any industry. I think I made the right decision to get onto Clubhouse, and I\u2019m into my second season. Some of the most incredible, iconic people in any industry are there, and you\u2019re elevated as you mingle with them and learn from them.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Manny prefaces every episode with tips gleaned from his interactions with Grammy award-winning producers and engineers and Emmy award-winning directors. <\/span>\u201cI created this channel because I know how frustrating it can be for my fellow musicians to find answers to their questions. So, I decided to provide answers and interview artists who can offer key pieces of information that will help others sidestep the issues I encountered when I was just starting in this career.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to have a clear message. If people believe in your message, they are going to spread that message to others. If you can take your audience on your journey with you and let them know you struggle just like them, they love that\u2026 <\/span><\/i>and<\/span> you\u2019re inspiring them to create their own journeys.\u201d <\/span><\/i>This is precisely what\u2019s been happening among the podcast\u2019s community of \u201cMojo Maniacs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen somebody has made something easy for me to understand, I see that as the kind of lightbulb moment that I strive for in every podcast episode, every song I write, and every performance. It\u2019s really gratifying to have so many opportunities, through my artistry, to help other people achieve greatness and successes in their lives.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And perhaps best of all, Manny\u2019s work keeps him true to his dad\u2019s philosophy that he has since adopted:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I don\u2019t love it, I won\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

And his father\u2019s words have proven to be spot on:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s something you hold true in your heart,\u201d <\/span><\/i>Mannie said,<\/span> \u201cyou never stop or look back. Just keep going forward. Your belief in the truth of your passions will always be your guide.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

With a firm belief in action creating inspiration, Manny is pursuing his passions and helping others do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

May 2021 Issue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be in it to win it.\u201d That\u2019s Manny Cabo\u2019s mantra. It\u2019s no wonder this award-winning singer and music editorial photographer is making an indelible mark on the competitive entertainment industry not only with his talent, but by the lasting impact he has on practically everyone he encounters.\u00a0 Manny broke linguistic barriers when he became the first New Jersey native to have an incredible four-chair turn on NBC\u2019S The Voice. He also showcased his vocal prowess on NBC\/Telemundo’s La Voz.\u00a0 For him, The Voice was an amazing experience. \u201cIt allowed me to share my talents as a singer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":10171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[945,946,948,204,947],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n