Marco Polo

Peace.

Been a while since I posted a blog. I’m a studio caveman so pardon my lack of communication on this blog.

Since Port Authority dropped I’ve been nominated for a Canadian Juno Award for “Best Rap album”. Contributed production to forthcoming projects by Large Professor, Rakim, Heltah Skeltah, DJ Revolution & Russell Peters (Canadian Comedian & soon to be HUGE in the U.S.).

I’ve also had the privilege of touring Europe twice this year. 1st time with Supastition & Illmind. 2nd, with EMC & Torae.

SEGWAY TIME…

Torae and I have been working on a new project tentatively titled “Double Barrel”. We’ve took our time with it and I’m confident to say its 90% done. Seeing this is my first full album production since PA I’ve been extra critical with the material. The usual suspects have been involved in the shaping of the album (Shylow & DJ Linx) who both played a HUGE role in Port Authority.

This album is Hardcore, Boom Bap, Hip Hop at its finest. Torae and I both brought our A game to the table. I’m amped to be working with such a hungry, talented and more recently FEROCIOUS MC. Make sure to add Double Barrel as a friend if you haven’t. (Peep my top friends, 1st row).

I DESPISE speculating release dates but I’m hoping for the project to drop early 2009 with the label situation TBA.

So with this album being wrapped up I’ve started mapping out Port Authority 2 (working title, not final). The idea of doing this record stresses me out LOL but I’ll be using the crazy energy from the Double Barrel album to jump right into my solo producer shit. I’m excited though.

Stay tuned, and as always I appreciate all the comments, messages & anyone who checks out my music. I wouldn’t be shit without y’all.

Peace,

Marco

I know most people are moving over to the blogs from myspace and I’m sure eventually blogs will be forgotten for some next shit…

Anyways… Party people what’s really good! Been a minute since I checked in and updated the website/blog.

Let’s cut to the chase. I’ve recently produced new tracks for Rakim, Krs-One & Buckshot, Large Professor, EMC, Braille, Jaysaun, Verbal Kent. DJ K.O. feat. Royce Da 5′9, Elzhi & Supastition.

As well, the brand new collabo project between Torae and myself tentatively titled “Double Barrel” is almost complete.

Yes! Double Barrel is 100% produced by yours truly and will be my first full length project since Port Authority.

Think raw, gritty, New York Boom Bap Hip Hop and that pretty much sums up the vibe and sound of the Double Barrel album. We have about 80% of it recorded. There will be a few guest MC’s, some expected and some unexpected. In typical MP fashion I will be enlisting the best DJ’s once again to scratch & cut the freshest hooks possible. DJ Linx (Scratches on “Nostalgia”) is the official DJ for Double Barrel and will be heavily involved on the project as well.

We hoped for a end of year release but with all the bullshit industry prep time you need to promote a record its looking like a Jan 09 release for the album BUT still possible to drop this year.

Besides that I’ve been slowly mapping out Port Authority 2 and reaching out to artists to get down on it. It’s way too early to even mention names but I have started assembling the beats with Shylow and DJ Linx. I’m excited about it and can’t wait to dive into the new album after I wrap up Double Barrel with Torae.

Alright, now I have to rehearse and pack for Europe which is going down in 10 days. See ya there!

peace, MP.

So… EMC (Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth & Stricklin), Torae and myself are hitting Europe this month, here are the dates:

May (2008)

14 - Berlin @ Cassiopeia (Germany)
15 - München @ Atomic Cafe (Germany)
16 - Bucarest @ Arenele Romane (Romania)
17 - Zürich @ Dynamo (Switzerland)
18 - Weinheim @ Cafe Central (Germany)
20 - Hamburg @ Mandarin Kasino (Germany)
21 - Bielefeld @ Hip Hop Kongress (Germany) - Festival -
23 - Münster @ Skaters Palace (Germany)
24 - Gothenburg @ Pusterviksbar (Sweden)
25 - Copenhagen @ Loppen (Denmark)
26 - Kiel @ Luna (Germany)
28 - Köln @ Bogen2 (Germany) w/The Beatnuts
29 - Stuttgart @ Altes Zollamt (Germany)
30 - Lodz @ City Festival (Poland) - festival -
31 - Breda @ Boogie Down Breda Festival (Holland)

June (2008)

1- Paris @ Elysee Montmartre (France)
3- Hannover @ Faust (Germany)
5 - Oslo @ Bla (Norway)
6 - Amsterdam @ Tropenmuseum (Holland)
7 - Graz @ Arcadium (Austria)

Miola and yours truly have teamed up to collaborate on the first official
Marco Polo “Port Authority” T-Shirt. (See above). Available in black & white
(sizes M-XXL).

For the time being the only place you can purchase these shirts is from Fat
Beats retail store in NY & ughh.com

Fat Beats is located @ 406 6th Ave, 2nd Fl, New York, NY (212.673.3883)

If you’re a retailer interested in carrying the t-shirt feel free to email
me @ info@marcopolobeats.com

Check out Miola Co-operative: www.miolacooperative.com

Wassssup everyone?

I suck at blogging, I said it! My bad for being slow with updates but I’ve been on the road and in the lab.

I received great news last week via my homie DJ Seven30, Port Authority has been nominated or a Juno Award!

For those non Canadian’s reading this, the Juno’s are the equivalent to the American Grammy award’s, so this is a great honor for myself and my whole crew who helped create this album. By crew, I specifically mean Shylow and DJ Linx. They deserve this nomination just as much as I do. Check for “Port Authority” in the Best Rap Recording category alongside fellow nominee’s Belly, Brassmunk, Classified & Shad.

Keepin it movin with more Canadian related news. I recently scored the new theme song for comedian Russell Peter’s. So when you see him live and he walk’s out to a bangin beat, its courtesy of yours truly Big shouts to Russell and his whole crew for selling out 2 shows at MSG in NYC. I had the privilege of being there for one of the shows and seeing him kill it live and of course hearing my track blare on the MSG sound system. Big up Starting From Scratch and DJ Spinbad who held it down on the decks for both of Russell’s shows.

Also, DJ Premier released his top 20 album’s of 2008 and dammit if he didn’t have my album as #8 on his list. Wow, that’s f*ckin awesome. Good looks Preme!

Special Teamz just shot a video for “One Call” which is the joint I produced on there Duckdown released album “Stereotypez”. Here is the you tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkiCatDeuvg&eurl

Last but not least I would like to shout out all the fans in Switzerland, Austria & Germany for making my first trip to Europe an unbelievable experience. All 3 shows were dope and the energy was crazy. I knew heads were messing with real Hip Hop out there but it’s a whole other thing to see it live. Shouts to Supastition and Illmind for tolerating me for 10 days, STOSSEN my dudes!

The beginning of 2008 has already been overwhelming and incredibly promising. I would like to thank my family, friends and fans for all the support. It feels great to be recognized for all the hard work I’ve been putting in.

Damn I think that’s it for now but if I think of anything else I’ll be back soon.

In the meantime, any bookings or beat inquires can be emailed to the greatest manager ever in the history of artist management!

Theo Bark @ theobark@gmail.com

peace y’all,

Marco.

Now Magazine (out of Toronto) included me in there “Best Of Toronto” issue.

It’s always extra special to get recognition in your home city. very dope!

Here’s a link to the list:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-11-01/music_feature.php

Shouts to Fat Beats for releasing the 2nd official 12″ from Port Authority, here is the track listing:

Side A

The Radar f. Large Professor (Radio)
The Radar Remix f. Large Professor (Radio)
Marquee f. O.C. (Radio)

Side B

The Radar (Instrumental)
The Radar Remix (Instrumental)
Marquee (Instrumental)

Fat Beats is exclusively handling the distribution of this 12″. So you can order it directly from there website (fatbeats.com) or hit up your local vinyl spot and it should be there within a week or so.

Peep my newest productions on Supastition’s new EP “Leave Of Absence”, J-Live’s new EP “Reveal the Secret” & my homies Special Teamz “Stereotypez” album just dropped on Duck Down, so go cop those.

Besides that I’ve been working on a brand new album with my homie, Torae. (Peep “Casualty” & “Good Good” off of Newport Authority). It’s coming out very dope so far. I will be handling 100% of the production. We already did a posse cut with 2 cats from Brownsville and it isn’t M.O.P.!

I have new beats up for sale in the “buy beats” section for a LIMITED TIME. Any aspiring MC’s who are serious about making quality music hit up my man Theo @ theobark@gmail.com for beat inquiries and prices.

On the music tip, I’m really feeling what Pete Rock is putting out right now. His “NY’s Finest” album I’m anticipating HEAVY. The NYG’z album “Welcome to G Dom” dropped which means I have good versions of all the Premo produced joints, yes! Go support these album’s so the few dudes making good music can continue to do so.

On some non Hip Hop ish, the new Radiohead album “In Rainbows” is rocking heavy in my I-tunes right now, very solid album.

Big Shouts to all my brothers who keep the Marco Polo train moving smoothly. Theo, Shy & DJ Linx, you guys rule.

that’s it for now. hit me up, ONE!

Marco

Peace y’all. Whats good?

So Port Authority has made its rounds and is STILL being discovered by cats all around the world (better late then never, right?)

The 2nd 12″ from Port Authority will be released on Fat Beats. The tracklisting is as follows:

Large Pro - The Radar, Large Pro - The Radar Remix (non album exclusive) & O.C.-Marquee (Clean & Instrumentals for each track). Check for this on shelves mid to end of September ‘07.

The Canadian tour with EMC was incredible. Shouts to Masta Ace, Words, Flo Fader, Punch, Strick, Steve, Power, Moss, Attic & Torae. But, special shouts to everyone that came out to the shows across Canada.

Check my production on new projects from EMC (Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth & Stricklin) “The Show”, Special Teamz (Ed O.G., Jaysaun & Slaine), Boot Camp Clik “Casualties Of War”, J-Live, Reef The Lost Cauze, K-Hill, Supastition, Heltah Skeltah, Large Professor to name a few…

I also just remixed a joint featuring Royce Da 5′9, Elzhi & Supastition for DJ K.O. Shouts to Shylow for hooking up the fresh new cuts just for the remix.

Peace to DJ Premier for inviting me up to his “Live From Headquarterz” radio show on Sirius satelite. It was an honor to receive props from the man who basically got me into making beats. He’s been showing Port Authority some serious support which is humbling and much appreciated. Shouts go out to Gordon, King of Chill, Big Shug and the whole Live from Headquarterz crew.

Also, check me out in the new issue of Scratch Magazine (T.I. & Wyclef cover). Where Scratch gets a glimpse into my home studio where most of Port Authority was recorded! Peace to Sa’id for writing a dope article.

I think thats it for now… I also produced a new song with very VERY legendary MC but until I hear it myself I won’t even play myself like that, so stay tuned!

peace,

Marco

It’s rare I get chance to update my website & blog but I had to take the time thank everyone who has purchased Port Authority. I know some of you are having a hard time finding the cd in stores so I appreciate your patience and efforts searching for it.

Regardless, I’m going to keep making great music for the people that want it.

Anyone interested in buying beats from me can hit up Theo @ theobark@gmail.com, any DJ’s who need clean versions of my album or radio drops can email me directly @ info@marcopolobeats.com.

peace,

Marco

View Here

Dir. Kris Schackman
Prod. Theo Bark
Port Authority in stores May 15th Soulspazm/Rawkus Records