One Block Radius was formed in late 2003. Marty and MDA were living in Marty’s North Hollywood studio, “The Dump,” and working on a project when they decided they needed another voice and flavor to make it sound complete. They had been fans of San Francisco underground rap star Z-Man’s "Gingerbread Man" and "Four Hours Of Sleep" tapes and asked him if he wanted to work on some songs. He said "oh heck yes" and madness ensued.
Label horror stories and empty Carlos Rossi jugs aside, One Block Radius independently released "Long Story Short" in summer of 2005. They then went out in a big green nasty broke down van and opened for Hieroglyphics, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Living Legends, Matisyahu, KRS-One, Aceyalone, Peanut Butter Wolf, Pigeon John, Trick Daddy and more, selling cd’s, t-shirts and giant foam fingers all along the way. Songs from "Long Story Short" have appeared in numerous film and television projects including "American Gun" and "50 Pills" (for which Marty was a music supervisor). In 2006 they also released "Cut Some Static," an internet/live-show-only original mixtape), of which only 300 original copies exist.
In 2006 Marty was asked to sing "Stunna Glasses At Night" by The Federation. Since that time Marty has become an in-demand songwriter and producer as well, having worked with Rick Rock, Baby Bash, JR Rotem, Diane Warren, DJ Felli Fel, Sean Kingston, E-40, Lil Jon, The Grouch, Paula Deanda, Luckyiam, Mozella, Turf Talk and many others.
If you HAD to (and since this is a bio, I guess you do have to) describe the OBR sound, it would probably sound like if Steve Winwood, Hall & Oates, Earth, Wind and Fire and David Bowie listened to some Sublime, The Pharcyde and Tribe Called Quest, got high and made an album on an SP1200. It’s a different sound - and that’s just how they like it!
Today, One Block Radius is teaming up with Property Music Group to unleash their new single "You Got Me". One Block Radius is finally doing it right and the sky is the limit. BLOCKHEADS UNITE - LET’S GO!!
Well thank you for responding! Knowing that I recieved a response from one of y'all simply makes my day :)
Oh and about the professional beatboxing, my brother put that as my occupation because I always tell him I'm a professional, but you know I try hahaha, but we never know, it could happen! :)
Well take care! Keep up the amazing work, and again thanks for the response :)
You guys are amazing! I mean, the voices, the rapping, and simply the beats put into y'alls music is definitely outstanding! No one out there who can be compared to y'all!
C'mon I need a House of Blues Anaheim show!!!!Please and don't forget to have special guest Jason the Argonaut to do Frontin. And if you're really feeling generous how about Mozella doin Make Beleive. Pretty please? With a cherry on top....=^_^=
once again.....you guys blow me out the water with your music and lyrics!!!!! keep it up guys and let me know when your having a show again, and im there!
I went to iTunes to download "You Got Me" and I ended up buying LONG STORY SHORT in its entirety. What an awesome CD! I love your music because it doesn't sound like anyone else; there are different sounds and surprises in every song, and it's just damn good music all the way around!
'Gettin it, gettin while the gettin is good...' ha.. Miss you boys! You're the s**t.. P.S. Were gonna be there the 26th to the 2nd. You guys gonna be in town?
My bad, i was listening to the new album (KICK-ASS, BTW) and i started rollin' when i heard that! hahahahahaaaa, oh my goonie goo goo...she's fuckn big foot gus! lol
SERIOUSLY SEPT 2 CANT GET HERE FAST ENOUGH!! I need my OBR Fix... can't wait for the the new album.. me and the girls are sitting here eagerly waiting for the next album to drop... Love you guys!!!
What's is up?!?!?! Just wanted to let you know I heard the news and I'm pumped about all the new stuff! I was just out in the Bay for Frank's B-day. I wish we coulda caught up! Can't wait to cop the new joint and you guys can start doin some shows down here in da dirty south!
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