What Dean Manglona wants you to know

Twenty-year-old Dean Manglona is definitely back on track as he hits the airwaves on Saipan with his debut album [I]Let Me Know[/I].

A powerhouse collection of nine tracks, Manglona’s carrier single [I]Let Me Know[/I] is taking the airwaves by storm after it made the cut as the most requested song on Power99. His songs are also being played on Magic 100.3 FM, where they are drawing a favorable response from avid radio listeners.

This gifted songwriter and singer—a Rota native who left for the States to join the Navy some four years ago—said his album is an eclectic mix of slow rock, R&B, reggae, acoustic ballad, hip-hop, and cha-cha.

Manglona has been writing songs since he was 8. The nine-track CD album contains songs that he had written since he was only 9 years old.

He said he finds it a venue for him to express himself and his family and friends are his sole inspiration when composing.

He said his father, also a musician, his uncles Kel and Richard, and brother Walter “Snoopy” have been the biggest influences in his craft.

It was when Manglona left the Navy that he met a friend, one whom he considers the one who changed his life forever. “A guy who actually was in the music business heard me singing and liked what he heard. He encouraged me to record his music because he feels that it could be a hit album,” he said.

However, Manglona was in the process of moving back to Rota with his family at that time so he wasn’t able to record the album.

It was his brother, Walter, who then helped him record his music in three months.

“A little nervous of how people would accept his music, Dean kept a low profile right until his songs were ready for release,” Walter said.

Walter said his brother’s album is not only a big hit all over the CNMI but also in Chino Hills, California. Manglona sent copies of his album to his friends and was surprised to hear that the radio stations in Chino County were playing his jams, according to his friend, said Walter.

“Dean had always been a shy kid, but his heart’s desire to write and produce music was what he dreamed of doing for a long, long time. His goal is to hold concerts so he could personally meet all of his devoted fans,” said Walter.

Manglona said his album wouldn’t have been a success if not for the help of DJs Bones, Dice, Juice, and Daddy Long Leggz. “Also to all Power99 crew for giving me all the time and airplay. I really appreciate it,” he said.

“I would like to thank my family Kumiko, Denetrah, and Davita. My brother Walter Manglona who produced my album, [I]Saipan Tribune[/I] for this article and most of all the fans who bought the album and for supporting me.”

Manglona said his album is all original and are very personal for him. “Except for the song [I]Airheads[/I], that’s just a fun song that I wrote to tease some of my friends,” he added.