MANILA, Philippines—MBNel, representing the grit and determination of Stockton, California’s 8th Street, shares his journey with the world. The second-generation Filipino-American artist, known for nearly 40 YouTube music videos with over a million views, pushes creative boundaries with his courageous late 2023 release, “8 To Infinity,” under the Muddy Boyz/EMPIRE label. This album showcases Nel’s evolution in melodies, musicality, and vulnerability, featuring star-studded collaborations and focus track “Bag Chasin.”
As the oldest child of first-generation immigrants, Nel channels his family’s work ethic from street endeavors to the studio. Exposed to music early on through his DJ father, Nel transitioned from dead-end street life to pursue a rap career, financing his “Love My Gang” music video at 19.
Image Courtesy of Clean Lyrics.
Since his 2017 breakthrough, Nel has demonstrated lasting success, with hits like “Feelings” and “In My City,” amassing millions of streams and views. He’s performed at major events, shared the stage with artists like Ez Mil, and gained recognition worldwide.
Inspired to motivate, Nel’s 2024 vision includes a return to the Philippines, his first visit as a professional artist. Excited to connect with fans and bring gifts to the youth, Nel views his music as a journal expressing life experiences. Remaining true to his roots, he plans to launch Stockton business ventures in 2024. “8 To Infinity” not only includes collaborations with Mozzy, Millyz, and Yung Bleu but also reflects Nel’s determination to showcase that possibilities for dreamers are truly infinite.