Hiya, Marcus Christ, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today…
What’s the live music scene like in Compton, CA, right now?
Well, Compton is a suburb of Los Angeles, so there are a ton of good acts. I knew about Nipsey Hussle back when he released “Hussle In The House” back in 2009. I walked past Kendrick Lamar at Compton Courthouse one time without really noticing him. By being in LA, I’ve seen a lot of big acts in hip hop like KRS-ONE, Rakim, Jazzy Jeff, Nas, and Snoop in person. Kanye, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé usually perform in Inglewood at So-Fi Stadium. So even after COVID, the club scene isn’t as popular as it was, but there’s still a lot to do.
Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Well, coming from a Compton resident like myself, Kendrick Lamar really has a hold on the city right now. He’s on the radio, doing tours, and taking on Drake single-handedly. So, if you haven’t listened to Kendrick Lamar yet, I would say he deserves a spin or two. As far as new acts that people should look out for in Los Angeles, it’s hard for me to say. I’ve been locked up in my room writing for the past couple of weeks.
Do you think it’s easy to become a victim of our surroundings sometimes?
It depends. There are some kids who have no guidance. Their parents could be in jail, abusive, or on drugs. These kids will have a much harder time making it out of their negative surroundings. The kids who have a solid foundation will probably have it easier and make it further in life, but both groups of kids can overcome life obstacles and succeed with determination and motivation.
What are your ambitions for Marcus Christ?
I want Marcus Christ to cross over from A-tier to S-tier. I think he has the potential to be a legend, but he still has to prove himself and carve his own lane. I want Marcus Christ in the short term to start taking shows again, and maybe a national tour would be dope after the album release.
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
Usually, I’m posting Bible verses and videos on Facebook. I prefer the Facebook interface more than X or Instagram. I can include more text, and people have a direct link to wherever I’m sending them. It gives me a platform to share my ideas or even teach people what I’ve learned.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there, what’s your thoughts on that?
I agree. Everyone is different. Just because I’m on Facebook mostly doesn’t mean I will ignore those other sites. People are creatures of habit and will usually stick with the same thing until they have a reason to leave. I have all three, but I’m predominantly on Facebook.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
In my opinion, Hollywood in general has never recovered from COVID. Hip hop, in my opinion, has become more about flossing on each other and drug use than having a message you want to get out. Some of the lyrics I hear are so poorly written that I don’t usually give them a second spin. Why do all the rappers wanna *uck my girl? There’s plenty of fish in the sea, so I feel that if a rapper can’t respect me on a track, I can’t support or respect them in real life.
What are your thoughts on AI-generated music?
It’s funny, you brought that up because another interviewer asked me a similar question recently. AI can’t express how I feel unless I tell it how I feel. AI can be a great tool. I use it for promotional strategies and to break down other people’s lyrics, but I’ve been writing my songs for decades, and I know people can tell the difference. I don’t have a problem with AI as long as I’m told it’s AI.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
I learned that after the album release, it is not the time to chill out. Album release is when you go into go mode. My album American Pharaoh comes out in less than a week, and I’m already thinking of my next project, which will probably be years out.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
Currently, I’m listening to Kevin Gates’ song “What If”, Toni Braxton’s “Please”, Jay-Z’s “The Ruler’s Back, and Nas “Smokin”. As far as the new R&B talent goes, the English/British seem to have the game locked right now with Jorja Smith’s “Teenage Fantasy”, Mahalia “I Wish I Missed My Ex”, and Ella Mai “Boo’d Up”.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
I guess my second performance in 2018 at the Lexington in downtown L.A. I bought tickets and handed them out for free, and nobody showed up. Lesson learned. From now on, you gotta buy your own ticket to see me.
Got any fun, funny stories from life on the road?
I remember going to a studio lockout in San Pedro, California, and meeting a diverse cast of characters while there. This was years ago, when I was still recording with my friend Dee. We have our little beef now, but he was like a brother to me. Anyway, Dee, Jester, and I would go to the lockout and get drunk and party like some real rockstars with this guy we met named Cowboy. He played guitar and always had a cowboy hat. So many moments have been forgotten, but those are the fun moments I look fondly upon.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes, my album should be dropping on April 7th, and it’s called The American Pharaoh. It currently has 18 tracks, and 5 of them are new skits/stories. I’m really excited about this project’s quality since I actually recorded it in real studios instead of garages.
What was the recording process like?
This recording session was insane! My engineer, Georgii, and I were able to record 13 songs in 6 hours. It was a marathon session. I don’t think Gerogii has ever worked that hard before. We were able to keep a pace of 2 songs an hour.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
One recent song I dislike called “I ain’t looking for no trouble.” The song’s lyrics and production are good, but I didn’t deliver vocally like I wanted to. I had some fluid in my lungs, but I can’t keep making excuses. Either way I put it on the album to be transparent.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Yes! Thank you to all my fans and supporters. This album will be dedicated to my high school crush. Her initials are K.B. I know it will probably never work out, but I can dream, right?
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