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 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.