Manuel Lonnie Seal, Jr. passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026 at the age of 66, surrounded by loved ones at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 26,1960 to Manuel and Betty (Lee) Seal, the family soon decided to relocate to Freeport, Illinois. Manuel’s deep-rooted passion for music began when his father (also a singer, songwriter, and multiple instrumentalist) started giving him piano lessons at the age of five. His mother, a prolific writer, also recognized his musical talents early on and encouraged him to continue them as he grew older.

When instruments were offered in middle school, Manuel originally wanted to play the flute, but because it was not available, he was given a clarinet instead. He reluctantly but quickly learned and played the clarinet for one year, then decided to concentrate on mastering the piano. As a teen, Manuel continued to play piano and learned to play the organ at Crossroads Deliverance Center. (Manuel also played for Saint Martin Missionary Baptist Church). After leaving Crossroads, Manuel started attending Faith Temple COGIC under the leadership of Elder Lynn H. Hawkins. He became a member of Faith Temple (and would often attend church when he was in town). Although he started playing in the church, by high school, he had joined a band and started traveling to nearby towns to perform. He was performing at clubs (while being under the legal age), and picked up a huge fan base throughout the Midwest.

After graduating from Freeport High School in 1978, Manuel worked at Micro Switch and Saint Francis School for Exceptional Children. It was during this time that he met and later married Lana Volkert. To this union, three children were added. Manuel never lost his passion for music and for performing. It was also at this time that he became interested in playing the guitar so he purchased one and taught himself how to play it. Some musicians from Rockford approached him and wanted him to join their band called ESP. The band travelled extensively across America and received a lot of positive attention. When the band returned to Illinois, they caught the attention of promoters at the Metro Center in Rockford, Illinois. The band was in the process of signing a contract to be the opening act when it unfortunately disbanded. Manuel often expressed feelings of discouragement because he felt that his growth was limited due to the lack of opportunities in the area.

At the encouragement of his Aunt Wilma and the blessings of his mother, Manuel was motivated to leave Freeport in order to further pursue his musical career. After a brief, unproductive meeting with producer, L.A. Reid, Manuel was discovered byJermaine Dupri, while playing piano in a hotel lobby. As a result of that chance encounter, Manuel soon joined So So Def Recordings and became a foundational, creative force in the music industry. He went on to craft some of the most enduring hits in modern music history. He helped define the 1990s and 2000s R&B sound and was nicknamed the secret weapon behind many of the era’s defining hits. Among these hits, Manuel co-wrote and co-produced timeless classics, including Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” and “We Belong Together” —which earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and the ASCAP award for Song of the Decade.

Over his illustrious career, Manuel accumulated 13 Grammy nominations and continued to collaborate, inspire, and mentor others hoping to enter the musical field. However, beyond all the accolades and expertise, Manuel was and has always been a man who genuinely loved people. Whether speaking with longtime friends or striking up a deep, thoughtful conversation with someone he had just met, he treasured every interaction and loved sharing his wisdom. After rededicating his life to Christ, he especially loved sharing his love for Christ and his desire for all to know and accept Him.

Manuel is survived by his children: Anishea, Kanya, Ashley, Lanicka, Stormy, Neil, Charlisa, Emani, and Isaiah, his sisters: Cherise and Felecia Pruitt (Phelix), his special “cousin/brothers” : Bobby, Keith, Kenneth (Butch), Ron, and Stephen, his bonus brother, Ernest (Pye) nephews: Christopher and Kyle, nieces: Chandra and Kayla, 18 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a host of cousins. Also noted would be the countless friends and mentees Manuel gained throughout his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Darrien Dismuke.

A visitation will be held at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport on Friday, October 16th from 4:00-7:00 PM. The family will gather on Saturday for a private service.