Rockstar Marcus, the New Orleans native features a relaxed melodic delivery drawing similarities to Drake, Post Malone, and the late Juice WRLD. Influences of pop, R&B, hip hop, and indie rock are found throughout catchy choruses and introspective lyricism.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3oXDAVNIzBaafuJ1cb1uAb
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I love the creative aspect of music. It gives me a chance to express myself in a way that in a way that I feel is effortlessly. I have a lot of influences when it comes to music but Jimi Hendrix was my biggest. Seeing a guitarist that looked like me made me want to be Rockstar just like him.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I don’t like to compare myself to other artists because they have already made their mark in the music industry. I want to bring something different to table. What separates me from other musicians is my work ethic. I started from scratch not knowing anything about making music. I just created because it was fun. If you look at my early tracks they were recorded on an iPad using beats my headphones and microphone. It was all I had but I made it work. I got a lot of negative feedback but that comes with it. I just put my head down and kept working.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
A lot of my songs deal with love and relationships. When you’ve been heartbroken, cheated on, or lied to, there has to be some outlet for the pain and music was positive at the moment. Love can also be beautiful which you can find in my music as well. My lifestyle is in my music. I like to go out, party and have fun so it’s not just sad songs. As a male musician it’s hard to wear your heart on your sleeve but at the end of the day we all go through similar things and if I can help someone cope one day than I’ve done my job as an artist.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
I can’t really prepare myself because if I do than I over-think. My song Sarah Tonin took two weeks to finish because I was writing and re-working it and over-thinking. It was bad. Then you look at my newest song Lovesick which took two hours to finish. I just woke up and felt inspired. I haven’t written a song since Sarah Tonin. Everything so far has been freestyling. I believe that the song is in me and it will come out. I rather feel than think and let it flow.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I plan to keep getting better and working hard. The only thing I can control is my work that I put into the world. I don’t have many people supporting my music but I love the people that. There’s people that play my music alongside big artist. There’s people that treat me like I’m a big artist. So as a thank you my goal is to continue to create quality sounds for them. As of right now I wouldn’t mind being signed to a major label just because I know the opportunities it brings, but I’d rather stay independent because I can keep all my earnings. In regards to the music industry, I think the traditional model is dead. It used to be based on raw talent but now it’s a popularity contest. Everyone wants to listen to what’s the trend most times for a good reason but other times just because.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I work a normal day job on the side of doing music. I’m just getting started so of course I don’t expect to make hella money right now. I know that will come. Being an independent artist you fund yourself, so my advice would be once music makes more than your day job, it’s time to quit.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
I think social media gave more opportunity for artists to blow up. Everything is so easily shared and consumed. I think it would be hard for an artist to survive without social media because that’s where their fans are. I had to learn to post more even though I like my privacy. You just make sacrifices and learn.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
If they switched up then yes I would consider them a sell-out. For me, music is a journal entry. Everything is real and my life. I’ve yet to scratch the surface or even peel back layers. I feel like I’m just getting started because I really am. I plan to keep telling my story in bits and pieces.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see my self as a full-time musician performing at Rolling Loud, Voodoo, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and other major festivals. Those are my goals.