Marv Ellis. A man of many talents and musical abilities. Born and raised in the 541. Schooled in a Bilengual Spanish speaking program. Started as a beatboxer for a Swiss German Exchange Student emcee, who later began to teach him how to freestyle. So cadence and delivery are a big part of his style. A few years later after finding his studio voice, he realized he had no stage presence. So he auditioned and became part of Papa's Soul Kitchen. One of the illest funk bands to ever grace the northwest.
He learned the ways of a professional musician with the band, touring and doing shows as far as Seattle.
He wanted to continue his pursuit of making his first solo album. He met a crazy harmonica player who sold him expensive studio time for beans. He took it and developed his own hip hop studio sound which to this day still is ahead of the game. He wanted to show all of what he'd learned and practiced so hard to improve upon to the one who first taught him. He sold his new album entitled "The Opposite" enough to by a ticket to Europe.
He brought super producer Cosmos of the Raging Family with him. They explored, performed, and recorded in Brixton. They explored, visited, and recorded in Bern. Marv couldn't take it. He wanted to bring hip hop fire to the northwest. He could have stayed a very long time in Bern, and traveled even more, but duty was calling.
He returned to the states like he said he would and united with super emcee/producer Metric, and super emcee/producer Elea'zar. They linked up with DJ Billy, and began the push.
They called themselves GENUS PRO. Because they felt the scene at the time was not taking the music seriously and that's all they wanted to do. The Wetlands became the mecca for live hip hop. From there they played all over the country. Went on tour with The Souls of micheif. Opened for KRS One, who told him and his crew that they were "doing it right."
Marv made two full length albums with his powerhouse crew. The first entitled "Grow" was a colaboration with the Raging Family. The second was a completely self produced Banger entitled "Extracts." Marv was blessed with the chance to make music with Tre Hardsen from the Pharcyde, Aesop of the Living Legends, C Ray Z Wallz, Lafa Taylor, The Juice to make it happen, The Raging Family, Reeble Jar, of course Papa's Soul Kitchen, Carlos Washington, Michael K, to name just a few.
During this time Marv Ellis released a collection of songs that he had done over the course of these years. He called it "The Anthology" and passed it out as gifts. The ripples of that album are still being felt to date. And the comments from close friends about how much that album meant to them spurred the new release "Underwater Not Underground."
With the help of Paul Bustrin, Marv took his original sound he had developed with "The Opposite" release, and added what he new from his Genus Pro experience. The result was his first full length conceptual album since "the Opposite."
Marv Ellis and his Imaginary Friends. A full orchestra of world hip hop fusion. The Future. String section, trumpet, beautiful back up singers, drums, basstones, guitars, Dj, and beyond. All playing positive super hot music for the people who need it most.
For the Summer of 2007, Marv Ellis united with Lafa Taylor to make the ME.LT album go, giving the two emcees a duality to represent together and for their people......peep.
ME.LT
(M.arv E.llis + L.afa T.aylor)
Colab project from Your Northwest Connection....
CHECK OUT THE HOT ISH
Fresh off the summer run, and straight into a cabin in the woods of the great northwest....Marv Ellis helped produce a classic with Portland legend Keegan Smith.....A true hybrid of multiple genres.
For the Summer of 2008, Marv Ellis teamed up with Justin Dodge of the Juice to Make it Happen to collaborate on his new album, "Dream Catcher Juice."
Justin Dodge brought out the sweetness in the mix and Marv layed it all on the line....the best sounding album to date....
Marv Ellis has continued to represent the Northwest lifestyle for all his people religiously. Come true and see a show sometime....
Hello Marv, So very nice to hear from you..How have you been besides busy with music stuff?...Were all doing good down here. Were heading to High Sierra Music Fest on Wednesday for another fun filled weekend celebrating Brie's birthday...Wish we could see you, but one day it will happen..
Sweet!!!!!!!! I am going to try my best to be at your cd release on the 5th, depending of course on 4th festivities! If I am not in Eugene, I will DEF BE AT THE MTN!! Can't wait!
Hey Marv, I'll give you a thousand dollars if you put my name up anywhere close(100 hundred yards) near Hybrid and Underwater. . I'm about to re-rep ya, and for some reason I'm on the new episode of Ghost Hunters. Trying to find some Head Peace. I guess doctors wear masks. so it's cool, nevermind. :)Looking forward to the shows! Got suprises.
YO! Hey homie I just wanted to say what's up n show some love. Effin awesome new tracks! You're amazing! Keep on keepin on bro... Oh and Jazzy Fizzle (aka. lil Norcutt) says heyyy Uncle G! ;) Peace Love n Light~~ Miss Moonbeam
You and your band- Fiddler On the Roof's "Tradition"!!! That's my ringtone for my parents!! :D I was just showing it off tonight and saying how much I love that musical- seen it a million times! :)
