HEY MARCOOF500! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! WHEN DID YOU START MAKING MUSIC – AND WHAT OR WHO WERE YOUR EARLY PASSIONS AND INFLUENCES? WHAT IS IT ABOUT MUSIC AND/OR SOUND THAT DREW YOU TO IT?
I initially had no thoughts of music at all until after highschool. I was really big into sports, my cousin was the artist. I ended up wanting to pursue music to help my cousin get his talent out there, but didn’t end up working the way I thought so I took a leap of faith and ended up falling in love with this music. many artists ranging from Lil JoJo and Young Pappy in my earlier years, to Blac Youngsta, Yo Gotti, Lud Foe, Waka Flocka Flame, and Boosie Badazz. The thing about the music and sound that drew me into music was the energy. The feeling of expressing your thoughts is just another way to channel things. 

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE JOB AND DESCRIBE THE INFLUENCE OF THE MUSIC ARTIST? HOW ARE THE EXPERIENCE AND THE MUSIC TRANSFORMED THROUGH YOUR WORK?
I would define the job as not being a job at all but a passion that I enjoy doing. Working with different artists keeps me on my toes and my ear tuned to new styles and flow patterns that are being used. Being open-minded when going into the studio to do a feat or trusting someone to be on your song as a feat is very humbling and creative. 

AFTER YOUR LATEST ALBUM “MARCO THE MERCHANT” YOU’RE GETTING READY TO RELEASE YOUR EP “DURAG BANDIT”, WHO DID YOU WORK WITH? AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PRODUCING PROCESS IN COMPARISON TO YOUR OLD WORK?
I worked alone on this EP as it was a personal one for me. The production process was hard in the beginning. I had to get all the software for my home studio and learn the basics of pro tools all to record, mix and master my own music. Once I got the hang of it I had to go back and re record my tracks to get them sounding how I wanted. I felt more comfortable being able to do the creation process on my own time. This one was more raw and uncut than Marco the Merchant. No filters attached and gritty music.  

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE EP AND HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO PROMOTE IT?
I expect one of the songs on the EP to hit the charts. I am planning on promoting it through social media platforms. Whether it be Tik-Tok, Triller, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Technology is taking over the music industry and I’m going to take advantage of it. 

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE, CREATIVE OR INTELLECTUAL, THAT IS BEHIND THE ENTIRE PROJECT?
Durag Bandit is based on what some would consider everyday life. As you listen to Durag Bandit I have put some songs in there that are actually connected to other songs within the  EP. I made it that way so that the EP would have a storyline to it without seeming like one novel. The listener will have to piece the puzzle together to understand the EP to its fullest.