Marcus Yates Weekly update for 10/30/31 THE MONSTER VERSION!

Lettey: "Marcus, let me first thank you for taking the time to talk with us again and give the fans some new info on what you are working on. Tell me Marcus, what's been going on with this incredible album lately?"

Marcus: "The past few weeks I've been working on more tracks for the album while waiting to get the two Tech N9ne placements in transition."

Lettey: "Anything in particular that stands out to you on these recent tracks? What's en-store for the album?"

Marcus: "The vulnerability stands out mostly. My need for love, my fascination with women, my ability to keep my head and not becoming a product of my environment." 

Lettey: "So the recent news hit Facebook and Twitter hard about Kutty leaving Strange Music. What's you take on this and will you continue to work with Kutty in future ventures?"

Marcus: "People grow. That's all. It's a business." 

Lettey: "Will you being doing any shows or tours any time soon?"

Marcus: "Not anytime soon. Still strategizing the music to make the performances and appearances make sense." 

Lettey: "So we're gonna go back in time a little while. Let's tell the fans a little about young Marcus. Who was your inspiration and what first moved you to the music scene?"

Marcus: "My inspirations were Michael Jackson, Deion Sanders, and my father playing football." 

Lettey: "Who do you see coming up in the music scene that may be new to it?"

Marcus: "Me. (Marcus laughs). No, seriously though." 

Lettey: "Any plans for a music video on this album?"

Marcus: "I'm currently planning a meeting with a great cinematographer by the name of Kendu to share some ideas on a video to my single. It's going to be crazy!!"

Lettey: "What song will the video be based on?" 

Marcus: "Ummm, I don't wanna say anything prematurely but the track is called I'm Alive and all I have to say is I love it a lot." 

Lettey: "How are you feeling about your Chiefs season this year?"

Marcus: "They are doing well. When they do good this year, it'll be more believable for the ones who last year said their schedule was too easy in 2013. I'm with them win or lose." 

Lettey: "What's new in your life right now? What's been going on in KC? Any events or trips take recently?"

Marcus: "The atmosphere has been pretty cool. Saturday I lost my cousin. That's been heavy on my heart because we were the same age. Other then that, the Royals are in the World Series (this interview was done before the unfortunate loss of the final game on 10/29/14) and I'm trying to make light out of the situation."

Lettey: "Do you think with the state of everything in Missouri right now, that the people need this Royals win to reunite them and give them something to root for together?"

Marcus: "Oh of course. It makes us look forward to victory with anything."

Lettey: "Thank you for your time. Our last question tonight in honor of Halloween coming up, are you dressing up for Halloween this year and if so what are you going as?"

Marcus: "I'm not dressing up. I haven't done that since 2001. I might go with my nephews to get candy." 

Lettey: "Thank you and we send our thoughts and prayers out for the loss of your cousin. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with us and hope to hear more about the album soon. Until next time." 

(Lettey's Halloween Costume pic below. Khaleesi of Game of Thrones.)

Marcus Yates Weekly Update 8/25/14

It's time for our weekly update into the world of Marcus Yates. 

Lettey: "Hey Marcus, let's start with talking about your recent tour with Krizz Kaliko. Tell me about your first stop on that tour. Where was that and how did the show go?"

Marcus: "It was in Seattle. I love Seattle. We were doing a guest appearance for the homie Neema 10k. That was dope actually. It felt good to perform after being locked in the crib creating an album. I feel renewed. We killed it as usual (Marcus laughs). "

Lettey: "So from Seattle you went to Port Townsend, WA correct? How was the show and what stood out about that town?"

Marcus: "Port Townsend was a beautiful city. Period. So peaceful that I was kind of worried about what the attendance would be, but when the doors opened they rolled in and we had a ball for real."

Lettey: "Your next stop was in Portland, OR. Tell me about that show."

Marcus: "Portland was were I finally got to meet back up with YOU! (Marcus chuckles). It was pretty fun before, during, and after the show."

Lettey: "Ya I had a blast too. Denny's was fun, but we were all so tired by then too. But good times. Then you guys moved down to Albany, OR for the 4pm show correct? Tell me how that went and what you thought about Albany?"

Marcus: "Ya Albany was very unique. We performed in this gutted out mason temple hall looking place. Haha, it was weird. It was very hot in the venue from what I heard too from everybody. I was perfectly fine because I consume a shit ton of water before and during the show."

Lettey: "Wow, that's crazy. So tell me Marcus, what was your absolute favorite moment from tour and favorite song to perform?"

Marcus: "Man, the thing is the whole tour felt like one good moment, but I would say taking the ferry from Seattle to Port Townsend was very cool. That was my first time taking a ferry. The water surrounding us, the view of the city from afar, it was pretty cool. Oh and meeting NBA Legend Shawn Kemp." 

Lettey: "So now that your home are you going to take some time to relax or jump right back into the album?"

Marcus: "I thought about resting, but I'm gonna get back to the album. I learned so much from just being away from home in a different place in the world. I love that." 

Lettey: "Any shows coming up in the near future with you?"

Marcus: "Neema was talking about another run in November, but that's up in the air till future notice. Promoters are hitting me up but I'm kind of avoiding them until music is completed to make things strategic. I wanna perform when there's something to perform. Tweet when there's something to tweet. A lot of these tweets could be raps haha." 

Lettey: "So what are you working on with the new album right now and how many songs are complete so far?"

Marcus: "It's coming along well, going great. Mixing techniques are steadily progressing. Looking for DOPE edgy artists to work with to make every song epic."

Lettey: "Any idea who your looking to get working on the album with you?"

Marcus: "I'm searching. It's difficult because I'm picking to be innovative, not picking the artist(s) who fits. It's about making them fit to provoke. I want the creative process to be limitless."

Lettey: "How do you feel about what's going on in your state right now, my home state?"

Marcus: "I have nothing to say about it for real..I'm all about the betterment. I love Missouri, it's my home. I send affirmations to the universe to keep my family and friends safe at all times. I send my condolences though."

Lettey: "I can see how hard it would be to see this daily. We send our support and condolences too from Portland. Music can really change a nation and people's way of thinking. Tell me, who are you listening to these days? Who's playing in your musical collection?"

Marcus: "I'm playing Jermaine Jackson,m tAz Arnold, the SEVENth, and FKA twigs. Oh and of course my new tracks haha." 

Lettey: "So tell us what's going on in Marcus's dating life? The lady fans are very interested in knowing."

Marcus: "Not a goddamn thing. HAHA. I would love to have a women right now though. Haven't had nothing serious in a long time due to music and not wanting to feel guilty for abandoning my lady for music. It just saves a lot of heartache/headache. Like a women would tell you she's down for you being distant, but when it goes down, it's another story. So I just mingle. Getting a feel for women. Picking their brains and shit. Nothing major, but I'm solo dolo right now. 

Lettey: "Those are very true words. So tell me have you seen this ice bucket challenge and have you been called out to do it yet?"

Marcus: "I haven't and I hope I don't get called out. I heard that shit is cold as fuck!"

Lettey: "I agree, I haven't been called out either and hope not to be. I would rather see people donate any way. Apparently a young girl died recently doing this challenge too.  Okay, there are a lot of acts going around the US right now. Who are you dying to see live and why?"

Marcus: "I'm not sure I could narrow down the list, it's a long one."

Working Hard and Living Life: Interview with Marcus Yates 7.1.14

Lettey: Good Morning Marcus. Hope your doing well. Tell everyone what's been going on with you. What are you up to and working on these days. 

Marcus: Good morning Lette. I'm doing great. I've been composing and mixing. Getting my camera fixed to direct videos, and mainly mixing has been consuming most of my time. If I was just rapping I'll probably be performing, but the mix is more important. Oh, but I do have a couple of shows coming up with Krizz Kaliko too that I'm preparing for as well. 

Lettey: Tell us more about those shows.

Marcus: It's a 6 show run. I still don't know all 6 shows, but I know Seattle and Portland are two of them. 

Lettey: Tell us how you're getting through the recent loss in your family. Who's supporting you through this time?

Marcus: Everyone is getting through it well. She was such a big chunk of the soul in the Yates family and the service was so uplifting. She was definitely smiling. 

Lettey: Tell us about your new project. How's it coming along and what have you been working on? 

Marcus: I'm working on this CRAZY track right now. I'm thinking about it being the single. I can't leave it alone. I keep playing with it. The project is gonna be so wonderful. 

Lettey: Who have you been working with on this project lately? Any plans for any new guest spots? 

Marcus: Just Tech so far. I probably might work on something with Krizz. It has to all align though. Macy has to happen. There's just no way it can't. I don't wanna be the one just putting people on tracks because its there. It's ALL about quality this go around and I'm not settling for less. 

Lettey: Do you have an expected release date for the project?

Marcus: No not yet, it's next year though. 

Lettey: What are your plans for music videos with this project?

Marcus: I'm gonna finish the songs first and submit them to other visionaries and bounce some ideas around about it. 

Lettey: Do you have any words of encouragement for artists out there wanting to make it happen?

Marcus: Yeah, and this might be rude motivation but..."Shut the fuck up and GO!" haha

MARCUS SPITS THE TRUTH WEEKLY BLOG

This week I checked in with Marcus about how the new album is going and what he has in store for us.

Lettey: Tell me what your working on this week. 

Marcus: This week I'm working with a couple producers from Michigan. The Seventh, Joose, and Mozaic. When I went to Grand Rapids last week, we all vibed and bounced around ideas. So now we're sending loops back and forth, writing verses, placing sounds in tracks to give the tracks elite sounds, and just being great. Also placed some scratches on the track I produced for Lena Chanel.DJ Omega scratched for it. Much love to him cause everyone was telling me he doesn't fuck with a lot of people.You need people like that, that means they know in detail about being elite. 

I also did a feature with Michigan rapper Famos Aame. He gave me some real, in ya mouth facts in his verse and that song is completed. Been back and forth about whether it should be the single. 

Lettey: Any sneak peaks or clips for the new album coming up? 

Marcus: Um, no more clips until it's in it's entirety. I'll show everyone once it's finished.

Lettey: Do you have any shows coming up or appearances to let the fans know about? 

Marcus: Still no shows right now. I'm gonna work on setting a few things up with local promoters to do shows once the project is done. 

Lettey: What is one thing that has grown you as an artist this week?

Marcus: Simply just doing what I plan to do. I think I'm in cruise mode as far as mixing, placing extras to beef the tracks up, and connecting subject matter. I'm doing pretty good as far as not sounding redundant by being only a rapper who is better than anyone. I like how I'm tapping into my different styles. 

Lettey: Where and how did you get your inspiration while in Michigan? 

Marcus: AGO had an open arm energy soon as I got there. We were just bouncing ideas off of each other. Great recognize great. Easy. 

Lettey: Little change of pace for the fans, what's your favorite food? 

Marcus: My favorite food, hmmm I don't know. I'm allergic to peanuts and shellfish and I don't eat pork, so anything outside of that is cool. Working on dismissing meats and dairies altogether and going straight Vegan, but that's a process. 

Lettey: When life gets stressful, what do you do to unwind and get comfort? 

Marcus: When I'm stressing I meditate on being great, read something informative, talk to my close ones. I used to smoke, but being high started getting boring. So I just tap into my inner great and be. 

Lettey: What would be one major change you would make in the world if you could? 

Marcus: My answer for this question changes all the time, and honestly, I wouldn't change anything. If you know you're born to be great, just be great already. I used to get so caught up and dwelling on the negative and by doing that I attracted the negative to me. So I would just change me for the better. Folks are gonna be bad regardless cause great folks need something to decipher from. 

Check in next week for more questions and answers from Marcus Yates. 

Marcus Tells All weekly Blog

It's Tuesday and Marcus is working hard on creating and appreciating music all around him. Marcus took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for the fans. 

Lettey: Good morning Marcus. So the fans are excited for and anticipating this new project you have coming out. What are you currently working on with the album and who are you listening to musically for inspiration? 

Marcus: Hey morning Lettey. So right now I'm about 5 concepts/songs into the project. I'm just working on tightening up the mixes. I'm adding little things to make those tracks bigger. Right now I'm listening to Ratatat for that beauty in their electric guitar mixes. I'm trying to find how I can change how people listen to certain instruments. 

Lettey: What musical experience has most influenced you over the last 5 years and who has been a big mentor to your during that time? 

Marcus: The past 5 years...hmmm... Well within the last 4 years it's been my creative family from college. The experiences I've had with those people are priceless. From finding myself to finding my inner funk, it truly was a blessing meeting them all. 

Lettey: If you could have anyone do a guest spot on the album, who would it be and why? 

Marcus: Macy Gray. I actually need her on this album. Like yesterday!! She fits the texture, other than that, Tech definitely. My creative family, Clergy, some of the homies from AGO and that's about it. But yes, Macy Gray for sure. 

Lettey: If any major label were to offer you a contract, who would you be excited to hear from and why? 

Marcus: If I start my own label, I'll offer myself a contract (haha). It's so confusing with this music business, Lette. Which is so unnecessary. 

Thanks for taking time to answer some questions with us and until next week. 

Get to Know Marcus Yates in our new weekly fan question blog.

Lettey: Of the songs you've written so far, which is your favorite and why? 

Marcus: That’s really hard to tell. I spent so much time on all of them to the point where they all are my favorites as an (unfinished) whole. I’m still spending time on them.

Lettey. Do you have any shows coming up?

Marcus: No Shows coming up. Just creating and writing.

Lettey. What is the best way for people to get a hold of you if they wish to book a show or have you on a track?

Marcus: The best way to get a hold of me is at Oobersounds@gmail.com for booking and serious inquiries. (Marcus is working on his new album and response times may be delayed but we will all do our best to respond.)

Lettey: Will you be attending the Gathering of the Juggalos again this year?

Marcus: If Krizz Kalico has his own set there, then yes I will.

Lettey: Tell me why you feel Jazz is a good musical inspiration and what do you hope it will bring to your fans?

Marcus: Jazz is infinite. The sings, chords, different tempos and time signatures, you could be really innovative with it. It has no rules.

Lettey: People really enjoyed your podcasts online, any chance of bringing those back from your college days?

Marcus:  I don’t know. Being so indulged in just creating this project..It’s really hard to tell. I’m in the moment right now and just recording my moments. 

If you have a question you are dying to know about Marcus, shows, the album, or just about anything, send Marcus an inbox message on Facebook and see it answered here each week on Sunday. 

New Projects On The Horizon

Lettey:  What style of music would you say the new project sounds like? 

Marcus:  Good Morning!! It's still in the works but of course it's more empathetic to the listener than Dark Taupe Schemata. For example, A song I'm working on now is more personal about the women (yes plural) that I'm attracted to and how each one of them equally caters to me. (Playa playa) Haha!! Nah but I'm like really sincere and honest about my confusion in this project because that's where I am and that's what makes me wake up and wanna find myself everyday. 

Lettey:  What is inspiring you in this project and what direction are you hoping to go in? 

Marcus: I'm really free with the creative process at this point. Living and jotting down basically. Planning to visit Harlem here soon to eventually live there.

Lettey: . Do you have an idea of when you'll be releasing it? Any new shows coming up?

Marcus: I talked to my brother Jon Bap.. I definitely don't mind my project taking a year or two to be completed. Seriously.. And it's definitely worth the gamble of supporters losing interest and gaining them back. I have nothing but high hopes for this project. Greatness takes time. In between that time, I plan on doing production for Tech N9ne for his upcoming album.. Working and writing with Krizz Kaliko and touring with Krizz Kaliko as well. 

Lettey:  Are you moving to Harlem to connect closer to your neighborhood and to get more inspiration? Marcus: I think it's more to just THINK in a different space. I have family there to reconnect with too. I have 3 songs maybe 4 out of a possible 15 that I wanna do.. And I got all the time in the world to build upon them. 

On a quiet Saturday afternoon, Marcus took some time to share with me some ideas for the new album and where he is at this time in his life. The information was mind opening and will lead Marcus down a new road of discovery, in himself and in music. 

So I asked Marcus, "What is your inspiration for this album and what is running through your mind?"

Marcus had a look in his eyes of self discovery and intuition. He unloaded some information on me that changed my idea of what it means to be a person in this scene. 

"I really have been reading a lot lately, about the black male in America. The book I'm on now is 

The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson. 

I would have talks with my close friends about things that I am seeing. Like how, for example, guns for black males are tools for escape from truth and true mental freedom. It's like the gun IS their confidence tool or compensation for their lack of patience and identity. Also the financial slavery of the black collective. I walk my neighborhood every day. I see check cashing businesses and liquor stores, but I never see these things in the "higher class" neighborhoods. I also observed the black women's role in degrading the black male. Making him feel lesser of a man or subconsciously teasing him by relating with white males because of the scarce opportunities for him in America. I'm starting to understand that this subject matter is a road less traveled because of fear of backlash and or worse. I honestly am embracing the ignorance of my surroundings to see what simple truths I can find within it. I also will be more unified in the production side of the project. 

I'm working with all my friends who appreciate the soul of hip hop." 

This answer really hit the spot. I asked, "Marcus, how do you hope to use your music to change mindsets and our environment?"

Marcus replied, "I just honestly wanna push the boundaries of expressing what you've learned from music. It's the healthiest thing to do and it can save lives!"

"Tell me what you think music can do to change lives and if you could make one big change in your neighborhood what would it be?" asked Lettey. 

Marcus gazed like a man formulating a great plan and said "Music is the noise we hear everyday in perfect harmony, so if it's done right and with good intentions, it can subconsciously bring others together. And I can't name nothing I want to change off the top of my head. I love my neighborhood." 

Lettey takes a moment, pondering her next and final question. Wanting to know much more so choosing her words carefully. "Marcus, with knowledge comes power and responsibility. What do you recommend people do in regards to getting that knowledge and how they should use it. How can music help spread that freedom?" 

Marcus gives himself a moment to truly think this one over. Then replies, "People need to use it in an empathetic way. A helpful way. We know there's gonna be cruel things in the world and that's just there to decipher from. I personally don't wanna be one of those cruel outlets for the people. If you honestly believe in justice, then you need to do it and speak it."

The world we live in will influence our music and our mindset so much. It's good to see people open their mind to what is truly around them without worrying about how P.C. they have to be. I recommend everyone take the time to open your minds to something new today. Truth is Gold! 

Marcus and Krizz Seattle WA 2.21.14

Stevie Stone Pictures, Portland OR 2.15.14