Hip Hop Interviews of the Underground: Marz One, A Desert on the Mic

Intro:

Marz One is not just an MC, he is also a multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Tuscon, Arizona in February of 1997 and later moved to Silver City, New Mexico.  Being that he was born out of the desert, he knows heat (not just the heat he possesses on the mic). When he is on the mic, you could say he is heat personified cause when he opens his mouth pure lyrical heat emits like an exploding volcano casting out molten lava (like a mage) laying out all over the instrumental drying to leave his presence on it. 

He says he has a strong passion for rhythm and flows that are a direct outcome to his strong Hip Hop upbringing. He not only loves Hip Hop, he loves music of all kinds. Hip Hop is just his way to express his love in a way that feels like "destiny" to him. Hip Hop and Marz One have both formed a bond that appear to be inseparable. Let's hear from Marz One, himself and get to the interview.

Interview:

TPT: This is your first interview, you told me. I couldn't believe that. Your music is very engaging, you can do the chill vibes and the aggressive in your face hard-core type flows. You are mad versatile. What influenced you to challenge yourself in such a wide array of Hip Hop and how did you hone into the success you have found under the umbrella of this earth changing genre?

Marz One: Hey there thanks for having me, it's a pleasure to chop it up with you and yes It's unreal having someone reach out for more info on what I do! I come from a musical mother and I credit her for exposing me to different musical scenarios early on. Growing up my older sister Julea was classically trained on the piano, so as far as I can remember I've been observing pieces of music. Growing up in Silver City, New Mexico, I was exposed to Roots Reggae, Spoken Word, Metal music and most notable for me Hip-Hop at an early age through the small local music scene.  My musical versatility is a direct reflection of my personal experience. Success for me thus far has stemmed primary from just being able to do this music efficiently and freely. Time is valuable.

TPT: You stay within the realm of boom bap, abstract, lyrical, good vibes, and hard-core. What made you decide to go that route versus hoping on the trap and northern chopper type beats that seem to get the most notoriety?

Marz One: Growing up just about everyday at the Skatepark in town with my siblings, I was actually fortunate enough to be exposed to stuff like Gang Starr, Wu, Dipset and more by the age of about 8 by the older skaters. The idea of real Hip Hop and lyricism was very important to my little town when I was young - growing up around cyphers and talented Graff writers, it almost seemed like there was no other choice but to pursue Boom Bap over the more commercialized or popular sound. It's always been supreme to me.

TPT: Griselda has seemed to open a new door for boom bap style, mainly in the lyrical and hardcore authentic realm. Do you feel you fit into this mold well, or do you relish the challenge of creating your own lane? What lane and path are you trying to create for yourself or do you just do it for the love of music?

Marz One: So in some ways I feel like I fit the mold of what is happening with underground hip hop stuff taking the more drumless approach. Naturally, the original boom bap sound resonates with me the most though and that's what I seem to gravitate toward. I definitely seek to provide a fresh take on it through my eyes. But as far as reinventing anything, I think that will take some time for me if anything at all. It's always been for the love and purely that.

TPT: What do you feel is your real strength in your version of Hip Hop? What do you feel you do best? Listening to your music, it is kind of hard to pinpoint, you do so much well. 

Marz One: It's hard to say because music can be so subjective. But if I had to pick something I would probably choose my ability to convey emotions and struggle through lyricism. To make the listener feel what I was going through during that time so that they may gain insight.

TPT: Being born in 1997, it is crazy all the Hip Hop wisdom you yield. It is like you went back in time and came back to show people an artform that seemed to start to fade. Who are the fathers to your style that influenced you the most? 

Marz One: Definitely a lot of studying and listening growing up also observing older MCs and having that knowledge passed down from others is priceless.. 97 time capsule or something haha! For me growing up early it was nothing but Wu-Tang Clan worship. Through middle school/high school I was hooked primarily on Jedi Mind/Demigodz/Wu and the stuff Rhymesayers was pumping out but at that time I was also studying the earlier stuff just learning the stories. Celph Titled is one of my greatest influences on the mic and I give him a lot of credit for molding me in cadence and that smooth/rugged mix.

TPT: How has your desert surroundings influenced you on your musical path? Or maybe it has been a hindering factor...how did the Southwest factor into your Hip Hop?

Marz One: The Southwest is both a blessing and a curse - you have to drive several hours from my town to get into the city, but at the same time the solitude really helps for focusing on projects and writing. The opportunities are to be sought and it makes the victories that much better being so far south. The small amount of artists that do reside in this area are highly skilled at what they do.

TPT: How did you get your name, Marz One? 

Marz One: So funny enough, I always had a hard time picking out a name because everything else felt forced (you know, prototype shit) until I dropped it and went with my art alias at the time. I came up writing Romer. I was taught by an amazing artist named Krept; he taught me all I know about Graff. Marz was the natural evolution of Romer1.

TPT: What was the concept of Prima Donna Shangri-La? How was it working with BK Bonez? Did he just send you a gang of beats to choose from or did you guys formulate them together or both? And tell him that The People's Theorem wants an interview from him too. 

Marz One: So we had a couple of ideas for Prima Donna Shangri-La starting with the judgement of the Vampire Goddess Kali the Hindu Goddess. Worshipped until this day and she is considered to be the master of time, death, and change and is also known as the Ultimate Reality. Shangri-La being the false ultimate reality we wanted to represent duality. The balance between MC and Producer. BK is a high level instrumentalist and actually played live bass on the album to give it an organic feel! We carefully hand selected the beats for the project and got BUSY. Prima Donna Shangri-La was written and recorded in 11 days.

TPT: Do you have any shows coming up? The footage from your Colorado show looked dope. 

Marz One: Thanks for checking out the footage man it was a blast! Nothing scheduled until later this year but I'm trying to rock more frequently so hopefully sooner. 

TPT: Any other projects on the way? Who do you plan on working with, feature-wise and producers with them beats?

Marz One:  I have several I gotta wrap up actually! A third Drunken Monks album with German producer BoFaat. 2 more projects this year with BK Bonez.. 1 with Reckonize Real and a couple more to be announced.. Lots of producer/MC combo action going on there haha. Got a crazy album forming with Canadian spitter Donny G - That dudes a problem on the mic. As far as features, im looking forward to working with The God Fahim on a joint.

TPT: Where do you record? For someone in the underground, you have a great quality to your recordings. Sometimes it's got that rawness and gritty side and sometimes its smooth and more refined. How do you get these different personalities in your recordings?

Marz One: I actually have a mobile set up that I bring around with me! Some of my songs are recorded in Hotels. Some in my camper trailer. The varied textures in my music sometimes mimic my overall well-being. Depression definitely influences different approaches in my music at times. On a side note the Kaotica Eyeball has enhanced my recording quality by a lot. I would recommend it!

TPT: If you could work any artist or MC, who would it be? Same goes for producer? Who would they be and why?

Marz One: If I could work with any artist I would choose Mikael Akerfeldt, the lead guitarist & vocalist of the Swedish band Opeth. Genre spanning badass with so much importance to who I am as a creative. He would probably laugh at the idea, but hey man, who knows! His vocal range is extremely unique. Check out Opeth! Producer wise I would have to go with the honorable DJ Muggs for the fact I feel like his beats bring the best out of me when I freestyle to them. His ear for production is amazing.