Thursday, July 28, 2016

Marcel P. Black talk's "Cry Freedom" In The Advocate

'If I can help with the healing, it's worth it': Baton Rouge rapper Marcel P. Black talks new album, 'Cry Freedom'

  • BY JUSTIN IVEY | Special to the Advocate
  •   
Marcel P. Black watched his life change overnight.
The hip-hop artist was in the final weeks of promotion for his new album "Cry Freedom" when Alton Sterling’s death rocked Baton Rouge. In the aftermath, Black was thrust into a leadership role as the pre-eminent conscious rapper in town.
“The reason why people consider me a leader in this situation is because they know the kind of music I do,” he said. “They know I’m all about the community. I don’t glorify the foolishness, but I definitely shed a light on and speak for the people going through the struggle every day.”
Despite Black’s musical track record, he said he felt a need to put his album release on hold.
“I wanted to push it back,” he said. “I had release parties and shows booked in the midst of this. And I was being called to leadership in the hip-hop community. I didn’t think I could handle it all. I didn’t want to drop the ball. And I didn’t want to seem like I was capitalizing off the situation.”
Black, a longtime youth development worker, changed his mind after receiving encouragement from his fans and renowned rapper-activist Jasiri X.
“Jasiri X told me, ‘This is what you’ve been doing. We need your voice more than ever,’ ” Black said. “I had interactions with my fans where they kept telling me, ‘We need this right now.’ A lot of people said my music is therapy to them. If I can help with the healing, it’s worth it.”
Inspired to stay the course, Black released "Cry Freedom" as planned on July 22. On Friday, Black will perform with a few other area artists during the "Hip-Hop is Alive" concert at Spanish Moon. Doors open at 9 p.m.
The album was crafted over eight years with producer Joe on the Track and includes some of Black’s biggest collaborations. Prominent indie hip-hop acts such as Supastition, Tef Poe and Substantial appear on the album.
With more eyes on Black than ever before, he’s confident that "Cry Freedom" is his best work to date. And more importantly, it’s a firsthand account of the black experience in Baton Rouge.
“It’s my highest-quality project I’ve ever put out,” he affirmed. “This album is a black man working in the community for 10-plus years in the city of Baton Rouge reporting live from the trenches. I had no idea that something like Sterling’s death would take place, but the music speaks perfectly to what’s going on.”

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Upcoming July Shows *W/ Special Guest Jabee (Grand Union Media)



Hip-Hop Is Alive @ Spanish Moon

Friday July 29th, 2016

Doors open @ 9 PM, $10 all night

Featuring Performances by:



Quadry

Mayhem Alumni

Hosted by Jabee of Grand Union Media

Music by DJ SoleLab BR

This event is brought to you by BR Hip-Hop Project, Real Profit Entertainment, Sole Lab Radio, & Grand Union Media Group.



Comprehensive Beatdown Presents:

Marcel P. Black's "Cry Freedom" Album Release Party

Baton Rouge emcee Marcel P. Black is coming to Jackson to celebrate the release of his new LP "Cry Freedom," courtesy of Grand Union Media.

He will be joined by his Grand Union labelmate Jabee (OKC), as well as Jackson emcees So Savvy Wit'It & Viciouz.

Doors open @ 9 PM

Cover $5 


Come join Baton Rouge emcee Marcel P. Black live @ BlackStar BooksandCaffe as he celebrates the release of his new LP "Cry Freedom."

Marcel will be joined by his Grand Union Media label mate Jabee, as well as NoLa spitter Ian A. Louis, and BR emcee Huey Castro. Hosted by Truth UniversalD.j. Automatik on the tables.

Doors open at 7 PM, $5 all night.

New Single "Stare & Whisper" ft. Isaac Jarvis Jr. (Produced by Joe On The Track) Posted on HipHopDX.com

Marcel P. Black Prays In "Stare & Whisper"

Marcel P. Black releases the third single titled “Stare & Whisper,” of his recently released LP, Cry Freedom. “Stare & Whisper” is an open letter style prayer to the Most High for strength and wisdom in times of mental, physical, and spiritual warfare. The track was produced by Joe On The Track, featuring vocals from Baton Rouge soul singer Isaac Jarvis Jr. 

Friday, July 8, 2016

Pre-Order Marcel P. Black's "Cry Freedom" on iTunes/Bandcamp Right now!!!


You can now pre-order "Cry Freedom" on iTunes right here.
You can pre-order "Cry Freedom" from Bandcamp.com right here.
 All pre-orders come with an an immediate download of "Boss" ft. Tef Poe.

"Cry Freedom" drops online July 22nd.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Marcel P. Black's Hip-Hop DX Interview, Rated: Up NeXT

Up NeXt By DX: Marcel P. Black

Up NeXt By DX: Marcel P. Black
Former HipHopDX Features Editor Andre Grant said in his “Defense Of The Struggle Rapper” editorial, “Out of all the things the Hip Hop web has vilified, the "struggle rapper" might be the least deserving of all that ridicule.” Before Kendrick Lamar became big enough for Barack Obama to sing his praises or Drake found himself making deals with Apple, they were artists without a significantly large fanbase attempting what seemed like the impossible. Hitting the top of the charts became a distant goal to making past one hundred streams of a song possibly made within the confines of their bedroom walls and gaining likes, re-post or anything else that would reach someone. Providing a weekly outlet for those getting their feet wet in the sometimes brutal sport of Hip Hop, allow us to give readers a look into tomorrow’s possibilities through “Up NeXt.”

Oklahoma Native Has Become A Leader In Baton Rouge's Alternative Hip Hop Scene

Click here to read full story.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Marcel P. Black "Cry Freedom" Album Artwork, Track Listing, Release Date


I am so glad to finally announce, my 3rd solo album, 9th project overall, "Cry Freedom" will drop on Grand Union Media Group/Real Profit Ent./Maroon Music digitally on Friday July 22nd, 2016. The LP will be for purchase on iTunes, Google Play, bandcamp, & all other digital retailers.


The album is produced entirely by Joe On The Track for Real Profit Ent., and boasts features from accomplished indie emcees Tef Poe, Substantial, Supastition, Mr. Franklin a.k.a. Kamikaze of Crooked Lettaz, The Ill Relatives,  Alfred Banks, 5th Child, & Truth Universal, as well as vocals by soul singers Issac Jarvis Jr. & KP Soul.

Pre-Orders will be available for online purchases soon!!!