Interview: marley b + definitionoffresh + dunn deal promotions

Tucson, Arizona rapper Marley B presents “Feels Right”, his new single produced by Denver’s L1VE BEATS and featuring Wrekonize from MayDay! Marley and fellow Tucson rapper Cash Lansky released their collab album The Tonite Show on Cali rapper Murs’ Label 316 in 2014 (link). Marley has toured with Murs, Mega Ran, Curtiss King and Jabee. “Last year, when I opened on a few dates for the MURSDAY tour, I was introduced to Wrekonize through my big brother Murs,” Marley says. “I had already been a fan of Wrek and the dope sounds Mayday had been putting out for years and I was hyped to have him on board when I hollered at him about a collab”.

Are the Mexican drug wars and general related drama permeating Tucson life? To what extent?

I wouldn't say they've permeated Tucson life completely, but there’s definitely signs. Growing up here in the Southwest it’s all I've really known so it’s hard for me to step back and look at it from an outsider’s perspective but I know that drugs flourish in my city, just like they do in most middle american towns. Whether or not they come from across the border is another issue.

What’s your favorite thing about touring? And your least favorite thing about touring?

The best thing about touring has to be just the change of scenery and culture. I spent most of my life in Arizona and it’s been amazing to get out and travel and see these different cities and venues. The worst part probably has to be not having the comfort of your own bathroom haha, that shit gets really old really fast. That and sitting in a car for 12+ hours.

What do you think is the most important thing you have yet to master to help your progress in the rap game?

The most important thing for me at this point is persistence. Day in and day out tuning my voice and perfecting my art, just trying to get better every day. That and building my network, trying to attend every tour that stops in Tucson and chopping it up with the artists and the managers on tour. Like they say, "Your network is your net worth!".

Are you and Cash Lansky working on another project? What’s the status on that?

Nah not working on another project at the moment, we're both focused on solidifying our solo careers but I'm sure some collab tracks will happen soon. Maybe another joint project later on, I know i'd be down. I know Cash releasing his new tape "S.E.E." soon and I'm working on finishing up my solo EP titled "Grow". 

What’s the number one piece of advice you would give the Marley B of five years ago?

I'd probably have to tell young Marley to be more confident and learn how to tell people and promoters no. It’s a great thing when you realize your worth. It’s good to be open to all events and show offers that come your way but at the same time its quality over quantity in the end. Don't want to water down the scene and watch your crowd dwindle because you're doing too many shows around the same time in the same city you know?