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.
[Nick Marv] Ex and I used to record at Redlite Distrikt/Planet Studio in Connecticut way, way back. We worked on a few collaborations tracks, but nothing massive. But there was definitely chemistry and balance. We fell out of contact until my cousin, Goji Rock, started making beats again after 15-20 years…and they were dope! It didn’t skip a step in that hiatus. So I reached out to Ex because he was one dude I always wanted to work with. He was down and it was a wrap from there.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
[Expertiz] “Vol 4: Like Life Depends On It” is a 21 track homage to the glory days of the Hip-hop culture. Complete dedication and focus on the art of preserving and uplifting the music through the vantage point of two veterans. This album has something for any and all listeners; much like the albums that defined the culture in the past.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
[Nick Marv] Musically? Pete Rock, Diamond D, Beastie Boys, Rza, Ramones, Alice Cooper, and Floyd. They didn’t make songs, they made MUSIC. Lyrically, always been a big fan of Ghostface. So versatile and heartfelt on every album he puts out. Non-musically? Movies: Godzilla, Tarantino, Michael Mann, Kung Fu, Grindhouse. And Mean Girls.
[Expertiz] Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, LL, Run-DMC, UTFO, Whodini, Rakim, BDP, Big Daddy Kane, PE, Wu-Tang etc.
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?
[Nick Marv] I think musically we don’t care about what’s popular or popping. Fuck trends. They come and go. We just want to be creative and push bounds to make listeners feel and think. We don’t do mixtapes; we make albums. We create an experience for listeners instead of popping out “bangas” that’ll be forgotten by the time the next one comes around. And we achieve this through 2 ways. First, we are a self-run operation. Production, writing, recording, and all that is done in-house with just the Stallones. We answer only to ourselves. There’s a lot of creative freedom in that. Second is the respect and shared desire for dopeness we all have among each other in the group. We all pull each other in the right direction, at all times, because we have the common goal to make good music.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
[Nick Marv] Paul’s Boutique, Fahrenheit 451, and Big Trouble in Little China
[Expertiz] Rolling Stallones Vol 1,2&3
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
[Nick Marv] I prefer chaos/excitement of live performances. You can prep all you want, but once you hit the stage, anything can happen.
[Expertiz] Love both, but the live show defines an MC. MC means move the crowd….
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
[Nick Marv] Early on in my career, I had a chance to sign with a fairly big label. I walked out when the executive asked if I could dance. No thanks.
[Expertiz] Deep concentration cause I’m no comedian
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
[Nick Marv] From the new album, Vol. 4, I am gonna go with “Double Dusted”. It’s such a funky joint, with the horns and bass bouncing all over. And Goji flipped all these different breakbeats together to just add to the madness. We threw in ill snippets from 80s tv commercials and got our boy from EBD podcast to do the intro for the Channel 5 Drive-in Movie. But that wasn’t enough. No, Ex had to go off the planet with his verse and the wordplay, just outright bananas. That joint is seismic.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
[Nick Marv] Hip-Hop. Eat. Repeat…living that #StalloneLife
[Expertiz] Continue to make high quality hip hop and contribute to the culture we admire and love
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
Can music provide access to Heaven…
[Nick Marv] If that’s the case, I think the Rolling Stallones have secured entry to the VIP section of the Pearly Gates Estates. We’ll even get 24 hour pool access…
Photo Credits: Jo-Ann Madayag
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
Recommended listening:
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Connect with Rolling Stallones:
Bandcamp: https://rollingstallones.bandcamp.com
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mr-stallone-44420905
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