Rising Stars: Meet Marcus Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Smith. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started in middle school. I used to write poetry in all of my notebooks instead of taking actual notes. Freshman year (2004) my best friend Jerel and I started making parody songs in his basement (Weird Al was/is my musical hero). We eventually started pumping out 3-5 songs a week and released our first album in 2006 as the group ‘Black & Broke’ 

Around 2009 we added a live backing band to the fold to align closer to bands like The Roots and Gym Class Heroes, two bands that I admire and draw a lot of influence from. 

In 2015 the band took an indefinite hiatus when a few members moved out west to pursue their dreams. I decided to go the solo route instead of looking to replace them. 2016 I released my first two real solo EPs. 2019 I released my first solo album NILLA. And in 2020 I released the Milky Way Lover EP. 

I spent 2021 making big moves. Started off working with Asher Roth on his album The Greenhouse Effect vol 3, and held a residency at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the summer. 

Currently, I am working on my 2nd full-length album due to release in early June. This album will be a very unique mixture of sounds, genres, and sides of me that I haven’t previously shown in my music. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in music is ever smooth. You’ve got your ups but there are way more downs. The biggest struggle was back in 2015 when I made the decision to go solo, I was nervous because it was like starting over. I had helped build this band and this brand for 10+ years and now I was doing it on my own. It was scary to say the least but I pulled through and was able to tap into some deep feelings for that first project. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart is I pull inspiration from a multitude of artists/styles/genres. There has never been a rapper who sings and plays the guitar. My music is very personal in the sense that I don’t talk about things I don’t know or don’t experience first-hand. I have a song I wrote about the summer of 2007 and all of the crazy things I did with my friends heading into our senior year of high school. I talk openly about my battles with depression in a song I wrote with my band titled “UONEVNO” 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I learned that you never know when you’ll have things taken away from you. Since the beginning of covid, I’ve had Gigs, opportunities, family members, friends, jobs, and money all taken away due to covid. So, I learned that you have to seize any opportunity you can to see that family member you haven’t seen in ages, or hang out with that group of friends for an hour longer even if you’ve got work the next day. Book that show or fight for more money because you never know when it’ll all disappear 

Contact Info:

• Email: Marcus@marcussmithmusic.com
• Website: Marcussmithmusic.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/marcussmithmusic
• Facebook: Facebook.com/marcussmith216
• Twitter: Twitter.com/misterdsmith
• Youtube: YouTube.com/marcussmithmusic
• Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdBK291A/

Image Credits
Amber Patrick
ATerrorMusical Photography
Nick Piro