What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

what first inspired me to first start making music was my dad. My dad (Mr.Benjamin 2008) is one of the originators of Seattle’s street music. I’ve been around it all my life. Throughout the years of seeing it and listening to all kinds of music I gradually gravitated towards making my own.

C’mon, I go by the name MariBased1 24 year olds & I’m from the Pacific Northwest, Seattle Washington. I came up with this name back in 2012. I was rocking with the BasedGod tough (shout out Lil B). In my neighborhood I attended the Southwest Boys & Girls Club. I was part of this group called ‘Keystone’ & we was going on a trip to Atlanta back in 2012. So for our group we wanted to get our @ handles on the side of our sleeves to tell folks to follow us on Twitter at the time. But I didn’t have a Twitter, so I needed up making one and that’s when I came up with maribased1. I took the second half of my real name, added based to it. Now you got maribased. Then I added the 1 because the number 1 symbolizes leadership, positivity, independence & power. Now you got maribased1

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

My latest release is my single ‘Mystery Girl’ produced by Seattle’s own ‘DJFunkDaddy’ hailing off my up & coming studio album ‘MARIOTTO2’ which is set to release April 3rd, 2020.

My other latest releases is my singles ‘Bouncin’ & ‘Score’n’ coming off my sophomore project ‘MARIOTTO2’. Both songs has been in rotation on BETjams. Score’n has hit over a million views on YouTube & counting. Both singles are available on Apple Music, Spotify, tidal, SoundCloud etc. Anywhere you can stream and buy music.

My current mixtapes ‘MARIOTTO’, ‘24Oz’ & ‘PowerUpp’ are all available on datpiff and spinrilla.com

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

I would say my song ‘Bouncin’ is one of my main influences because that was the song that opened up the doors for me. That song allowed me to be in places you can not pay for. The energy and vibe off that song was remarkable and folks gravitated towards me with that one. Then when I dropped ‘Score’n’ that was the song that exceeded everyone’s expectations and did tremendous numbers on YouTube.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

My sound differs from the rest because I am immortal. I have a unique sound I like to call ‘The Northern Flow’. That real organic flow that originates from the north west. I’m a firm believer in God. I believe that it would be a sin for the world to go unexposed to an original style of music.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

If I was stuck on a dessert island the three albums, movies, & books would be Lil Wayne’s ‘Tha Carter III’, Ice Cube’s ‘Laugh Now Cry Later’, my own album ‘MARIOTTO2’, Jurassic Park, John Wick, Godzilla, and as long as I have some good marvel comic books I’ll be straight.

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I prefer performing live because I like performing my own music. I love seeing crowd participation, I love the energy, I love hearing my music come out them big concert speakers. Plus performing is the best way to get you and your music out there because folks get to see and hear you live in the flesh.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

haha! When I did my first campaign with my singles ‘Bouncin’ & ‘Score’n’ a lot of people even the promoters were not feeling ‘Score’n’ at all. They all told me in so many words that my song was weak and it didn’t live up to the hype of ‘Bouncin’. Folks were even talking trash about the song. But long be hold ‘Score’n’ did way better than ‘Bouncin’. It even charted on radio charts, made BETjams, and hit Over A million views on YouTube. & now it be them same folks singing my anthem. It’s comedy to me! But it also proves everything I am doing is working!

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I say my song ‘Score’n’ is the most unique to me because it’s not like any of my other songs. It has unique rock elements in the instrumental, which makes it different from your average rap song. Plus it chants my name!

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

My Album ‘MARIOTTO2’ about to drop April 3rd, 2020, More Videos on the way, More features on the way, more shows on the way for the spring and summer! Be on the look out!
Y’all follow me on all social media @maribased1
Go buy and stream that music!
Seattle music is real ya dig!

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

One last thing the coronavirus is real people plz make sure you wash your hands & protect our Mother’s, Father’s, Grandmother’s & Grandfather’s people let’s do our part in keeping them safe during this pandemic that’s upon the world.

Photo credits: Rob Fitzgerald

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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