Manolis Afolanio (MC Yinka)

Rapper, vocalist, bassist, songwriter, performer, actor, and vocal coach, Manolis Afolanio (MC Yinka) is a graduate of the Contemporary Singing Department of the National Conservatory. He took his first steps as a rapper in 1998 with the bands Urban Links and Adiaspasti Ousia. He is a member of the music groups Urbanix, Fuzics, Hidroliq, and Fallstreak Hole. He has also been a member of electro dub Direct Connection, soul Dr Vodtkatini, nu-jazz Boogie Base, funk Funkaholic Anonymous, world-ethnic Pallyria, and world pop Imam Baildi.

He has performed at many international festivals (Synch Festival, Samothraki Dance Festival, Rockwave Festival, Roskilde Festival, Lowlands Festival, Sziget Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival) and as a support act to Method Man and Skatalites, among others.

He was the performer of Pavlos Katsivelis’ musical work “komuna” at the Greek National Opera (2021) and “An absolutely imaginary space,” based on music by Iannis Xenakis, at the Athens Conservatoire (2022).

As an instructor, he has conducted creative writing and rap performance workshops, as well as theoretical workshops. He is a vocal coach at the cultural center “Anasa.”

His discography includes his personal albums “Ichos Vioma” (feat. Yegor Cergei, 2008), “Alana” (2009, Melydro, EMI), “Apo ti skia tis polis” (2016, Breathe Records), “The Zone” (feat. Datamen, 2018, Klik Records), “Night Lights” (feat. DJ Booker, 2021, Mind The Wax Records), as well as collaborations with Pallyria (“Pallyria,” 2006), Antixoes Paragoges (“Se antixoi trochia,” 2006), Direct Connection (“Dub Infection,” 2007), and Filippos Pliatsikas (“Omnia,” 2007).

He has appeared in various films (“Hostage” by Constantine Giannaris, 2005, and “RRACCOON” by Michalis Aristomenopoulos, 2016) and theatrical productions (“Festen”, 2007, “Quarreler,” 2010, “Eternal Peace,” 2012, “Nekyia,” 2018, “Electra,” 2020, “Antigone Variations,” 2021).