FRESH MARCUS:
A Biography
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• RAP BIO
• PROFESSIONAL BIO
• FM BIO TRIVIA!
•LINKS
Fresh Marcus has been down with hip-hop music and culture since the mid-1980’s. He quickly found that he not only appreciated and enjoyed rap, but had a unique skill for writing and delivering rhymes himself.
He first spat lyrics on the junior-high bus during school field trips, on the school intercom during homeroom announcements, and at various talent shows in the city of Denver. His first notable accomplishment as an MC was earning third-place honors in a BAD (Blacks Against Drugs) talent show around 1987, where he impressed the skeptical crowd as the only white competitor.
College days in Atlanta in the early 1990’s brought Marcus greater exposure to underground rap, and built his understanding of hip-hop’s place in urban and African-American culture. Development of his talent and perspective during this period included continued notoriety and recognition garnered through talent show and festival appearances, regular listening to ATL college and underground radio selections, and the chance to meet various pioneers in hip-hop, including Chuck D of Public Enemy (see photo gallery ).
“FM” internalized the reality of hip-hop’s global potency while living in Scotland in 1994-95. He saw posters for American hip-hop artists thrown up by a street team in the city of Edinburgh, and visited a hip-hop club in Paris where the music spun was hotter and truer to the origins of hip-hop than 90% of what was being played on American commercial radio at the time.
Three years in New York City, and the cumulative total of two years spent on-and-off in Washington, D.C., firmly solidified Fresh Marcus’ direction in hip-hop. Everyday exposure to hip-hop as a culture (beyond the mere music) in the streets of its birthplace provided Marcus with indomitable respect for its origins and history (listen to his joint “Encyclopedia of Hip-Hop”, for example). Meeting brothers like Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith of EPMD, DJ Evil Dee of Black Moon, The Jungle Brothers, and underground radio legend Bobbito “The Barber” Garcia while living in the City forever ingrained Marcus’ already strong devotion as a true-school hip-hop purist. It was commonplace for headz to be surprised and impressed by how deep his knowledge ran, and to befriend Marcus on that basis.
It was not until now, however, that FM was fully able to capitalize on a large-scale opportunity to share his refined skillz as an MC through a finished body of work. He recorded the full-length album “Transformation” with producer Dan Morris in Atlanta (or, as Marcus calls it, the “Lost City of @lantis”). The 2004 release is the product of all Marcus’ formative hip-hop experiences, and of the accelerated spiritual growth he’s undergone in the past 10 years. Long-time fans will notice the addition of “MARK 10:27” as the alter-ego of the man known as Fresh Marcus since 1986. That verse in the Bible speaks to a person’s ability to do what is otherwise impossible when he or she is in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ (see this to learn how this is accomplished). Since 1999, Marcus has sought out and been welcomed by the Holy Hip Hop community. In this realm, he has been most influenced by the chance to fellowship with cats like eDDie Velez (“Da Preachin’ Puerto Rican”), DJ Lace, Scribe, Corey Red, and Christopher “Play” Martin (formerly of Kid ‘N Play).
“Transformation” reflects Marcus’ growth as an MC and a Man of God, a move from rhyming to gain popularity and props to MC’ing for the purpose of glorifying God and providing an alternative to morally bankrupt commercial hip-hop. It’s an attempt to be open to God’s purposes in drawing others to Himself, sharing the ways in which He has forever changed and bettered Marcus’ life, while still bringin’ the rugged styles that lend street credibility and reflect unadulterated, raw hip-hop. You will enjoy the result on many levels.
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FRESH MARCUS PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY >>
If you’ve already read the bio detailing Marcus’ involvement in hip-hop, he’s about to flip the script on you as you read about his academic and professional background. FM’s intellect, legal training, and business acumen give him the unique ability to exercise control over his artistic content and direction as he pursues the path God has offered and drawn him to.
A well-developed understanding of all elements of what secular rappers refer to as “the Game” enables Marcus to focus on the ministry of his music, and on maintaining distance from the readily apparent degeneration of commercial hip-hop.
FM was valedictorian and “Outstanding Academic Athlete” of his high school class in Denver. He graduated in the top 2% of his college class at Emory University in Atlanta, where he had a full academic scholarship. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, he earned the Whitman Prize for the Outstanding Graduate in Economics and an Emory University Humanitarian Award, among other major honors. Upon graduation, Emory provided him a post-graduate scholarship to attend the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for a year, where he chose to primarily study theology. There, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the University’s basketball team, and had life-changing experiences while traveling to such destinations as Egypt and Morocco.
Upon returning to the U.S., Marcus lived in Washington, D.C., participating in a multi-faceted program designed to teach young graduates to implement their Christian faith in all segments of their lives, professionally and otherwise. Part of his time in D.C. was devoted to working for Prison Fellowship, a ministry dedicated to inmates and their families. He then spent three years in New York City, where he graduated from New York University School of Law, one of America’s top-five law schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
FM has practiced law in Atlanta for five years with two prominent law firms, working on matters ranging from the merger of technology companies to complex pharmaceutical litigation. He’s also developed a strong professional interest in the workings of charitable foundations and philanthropy, particularly with regard to giving structures used by athletes and entertainers.
Lastly, Marcus is the founder of Admissions and Transitions, a full-service enterprise that enables clients to gain admission to the nation’s top graduate schools, prepare properly and efficiently to secure their dream job, and/or successfully navigate later career transitions. If you’re interested in discussing hip-hop or business, use the “How to Holla” button on the Fresh Marcus home page.
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FRESH MARCUS BIO TRIVIA >>
Was a Ballboy for the Denver Nuggets NBA team from 1986-1990, and has met everyone from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson to Commissioner David Stern. He was given autographed pairs of basketball shoes by many players, including Karl Malone and Patrick Ewing.
In high school and college, could flush a 360 dunk off two feet. He used to roll with the license plate “360JAM,” and first dunked a basketball in 9th grade.
Left-handed, but plays golf and bats right-handed. Played golf at the birthplace of the sport, St. Andrews, Scotland, numerous times while living there in 1994-95 on a scholarship named for golfer Bobby Jones. Met Tiger Woods during the British Open in St. Andrews while he was still an amateur.
Worked with Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives in Denver, doing everything from helping provide security at gang members’ funerals to intervening in the lives of headz who were enveloped in the Crips and Bloods.
Traveled extensively in Egypt and Morocco while living in Scotland.
Mark is the sixth in a succession of men in his family with the same full name, dating back to the late 1700’s.
FM skipped the 4th grade.
Won four awards, including the sole Highest Award for Achievement, as a participant in Dale Carnegie professional development and public speaking training.
Nicknames other than his MC monikers include, “Brother Mark,” “Mark of the East,” “The East Coast Overdose,” “The ATLien,” and “Six.”
LINKS >>
• Intown Community Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Atlanta, where Mark 10:27 is a member and deacon.
• www.joelosteen.com - 10:27 ain’t with too many television ministers, but Joel brings it to yo’ chest and is a very talented speaker.
• www.hiphopmusic.com - Home of WBAI’s Underground Railroad radio show in New York City, which Marcus used to check on the regular while living there; secular, but true to the origins of hip-hop; great cultural and political commentary from a hip-hop perspective.
• www.holyhiphop.com - Great site where you can find rap artists who love God.
• The Falls Church Fellows Program - A comprehensive post-graduate Christian character development program near Washington, D.C., where Marcus sharpened the iron for a year and worked for Prison Fellowship Ministries.
• NashvilleDesign.Com - Steven Jackson designed and maintains this site.
• www.angelaphotography.com – Angela, my producer Dan Morris’ wife, has mad skillz as a photographer, and did a tremendous job with the pics for my album.
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