Marvel The Gr8 (Los Angeles, CA) – “Q&A Interview”
-How was your most recent Rock The Bells experiece like? Any highlights worth mentioning?
Man that shit was so insane!!! I can’t even express how rad it was to be honest. I played first on the 36th Chambers Stage on the second day and it was like 100 degrees so I wasn’t expecting to really perform for a lot of people. To my surprise MAD heads came out early to support and turn up with me. After I finished my set we gave out copies of my album GR8 for free and people were snatching em out of the box. Ran out in like 15 seconds. Shit was like a dream come true. Being apart of something so historical as well as something I frequented as a kid was just so surreal.
Highlights? Ummmmm… Having the big homie Ras Kass intro me before my set. Being able to have someone cart me across the festival to just see Slick Rick perform. Signing like 100 Rock The Bells posters with the other performers. Oh yeah and I met Sosa he was cool AF.
-What’s coming in 2014 for Hip Hop fans in relation to your music, and Hip Hop grind?
I’ve been in the lab working diligently on a lot of new music that will be released at the top of the year along with some dope visuals. Will be back on my live performance grind so be on the lookout for my name on some flyers. Going to put a lot of effort into getting more shows outside of Cali so that my supporters elsewhere can experience that GR8 turnup! Also will be putting out new hats & apparel via www.repgr8.com.
-Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have
you been making Hip Hop?
I was born in Fontana but moved to Pomona around 2nd grade. Was always out in Pomona though because my mom worked for the school district ever since I was born. I have always been into music since I could remember but didn’t start writing songs ‘til I got into middle school. My best friend Kenny and I used to write raps and freestyle everyday after school over all the dope shit that was on the radio like “Whoa.” – Black Rob. Then we started recording em on tapes and showing them to all our friends. So from there it kind of became an every day thing for us. I’m 25 now so like 12-13 years. Fuck that’s a long ass time haha.
-What influences you in making Hip Hop?
Everything around me. My friends. My family. My experiences. When it comes to creating art, it’s all about personal perspectives and how it’s interpreted by others. Some connect. Some are intrigued. Others don’t. But in the end I feel that I’m the voice of where I come from and the people I have met along the way. It’s also for the people that were brought up under similar circumstances, share the same interests, and can connect with what I say. I’m not one to listen to popular records and mimic what I hear in hopes of gaining popularity. I just make what I want. If anything, I am more influenced by dope movies I see and books I’ve read. To be honest Hunter S. Thompson has influenced me tremendously. I’m trying to make that Gonzo rap music.
-Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
I would say my music is very fun for the most part. Also ,very left field, but I’m trying to make something that will turn up the party but in a creative way that has never been done. I’m really big on coming up with shit that will catch the ears of people that are super into lyrical detail like I am yet not be too intricate for the average listener to keep up with. The best way to describe it would be Ignorance meets Intellect. The lyrics are very clever and the beats are next level slappers. I’m a young scholar with a based mentality.
-Who have you collaborated with? Who would like to collab with in the
near future?
For the most part I have only collaborated with my friends thus far, most of who are up and coming producers and performers in California. On my last project GR8 there were no vocal features but I was blessed with amazing production from the homies gLAdiator, Neo Fresco, Brian Polar, Danny Parra, Korova, and MaineBeatz. My first solo release HGTI was solely produced by my bro Brian Polar, but I had Leeboy and Neijah Lenae featured on it. My new music is gonna definitely have more collaborations on it but I will keep that on the low for now. Just know the new tracks are on some next level shit.
Ummmm to be honest I would love to collab with someone like King Krule or Lana Del Rey. Someone that can bring something different into the mix. Someone that can add a unique flavor to the gumbo.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Underground hip-hop to me is just dope shit that people haven’t discovered yet because of its grass roots foundation. Not everyone is privileged enough to have a huge budget and go get radio play just off the strength. People tend to forget that the “Pop Music” is short for “Popular music.” Content has nothing to do with being underground or mainstream the exposure one receives does. So I guess you can say that all emcees are underground until their movement pops off. Unless you are a label puppet that doesn’t even write your own 16s.
-Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production,
and who would you like to work with?
When it comes to beats, I’m really intrigued by shit that sounds like its out of nowhere. Something that makes everyone ask the question “What is this?” I listen to all types of music so I’m not apposed to creating something that might be categorized as “other.” Nothing better than different genres becoming one for the sake of artistic expression.
As far as producers I would dream to work with::: The Neptunes cause Chad and Pharrell are GODS!!! Also I think if I got in the studio with Trent Reznor we could make some dope shit.
But to be real I love working with up n coming producers that are hungry and come with those consistent slaps!!!
-Any current or future projects you are promoting?
Right now Im finishing up my next solo project. Super stoked on it. Still finishing up the GR8 campaign ::: the Enjoyabowl music video is coming really soon as well as some more remixes off the tape. Got some random raps that will see the light of day soon.
-Where can we find your music and info?
You can check out everything on my site ::: www.gr8raps.com
Also, I’m always on Twitter and Soundcloud super tough so you can stay up to date with G-R-8 on there as well.
www.soundcloud.com/marvelthegr8
-Any shout outs?
I would like to give a shoutout to Cara Delevinge. You are a babe and I love you. If you somehow end up reading this because you frequent UGHHB hit me up so we can get some frozen yogurt and talk about fashion.
