Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Marcus! We appreciate it. To start, can you introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your journey as an artist?
My name is Marcus Batson-Jones but everyone knows me by my producer moniker: Mrcus.Jones. I am a Music Producer, Curator & Arts Advocate based out of Tucson, Arizona.
What inspired you to start creating music, and how has your journey evolved since you began?
My mom says I've always had a special relationship with music, one of the only times I would move around in her stomach is when she would sing to me. But I officially started making music in middle school. I downloaded an app that looked like a drum pad and you could make loops on it. I was just messing around on the app with my cousins and making loops, then I showed my Dad and he was very impressed. So from there I pretty much went down a rabbit hole of type beats and instrumentals, eventually trying to learn how to make them myself. I fell into the world sampling within beat making and quickly just started becoming a fan of older music. Jazz, Soul Music, Funk just started engulfing the sound of my beats. Since then, I’ve evolved a lot over the years and I’m super thankful to be at a point where I’m considered a “professional” now. Since starting, I’ve been able to produce beats for a sample library, worked with instrumental hip hop labels, & do performances.
How would you describe your sound and style to someone who has never heard your music before?
Definitely a combination of Lofi Hip Hop, Neo Soul & Jazz; sometimes mixed with Ambient & Cinematic. I always try to tell stories with my beats and provide the "Soundtrack" to people's day to day.
What’s your creative process like when producing a track or writing music? Do you have any unique rituals or habits?
Always start with drums. If you don't have dope drums then the beat falls apart. I always go Drums, Chords, Bass lines and then everything else.
Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound or approach to production?
Off the bat it's going to be J Dilla, Nujabes, College Dropout Era Ye, Cookin Soul & Robert Glasper. I've studied the ins and outs of all these guys and the way they produce, and I've been able to transform it into my own style while still maintaining the influences.
What challenges have you faced as an independent artist, and how have you overcome them?
One thing I don't think gets talked about enough in the producer community is mental health. I definitely struggle with this a lot, and there isn't much of a guide book to navigating your mental as a music producer. Self doubt, de motivation, etc; But I just take it day by day. I try to go outside everyday, hangout with friends and find new hobbies. I gotta remind myself that there is more to life than just making music regardless of how passionate I am.
What’s been the most memorable moment in your music career so far?
Probably back in 2020 when I first made money off of streaming, A nice $16! Second most memorable moment of recent memory now is going to LA for the first time and performing a set at Beats Freaks Geeks for sure.
What can fans expect from you in the near future, and how can they best support your work?
All 2025 I plan on flooding the market with music. From dropping Beat Tapes to working with artists, I have a stacked year. The best way to support me is to buy the music directly from me via sites like Bandcamp, EVEN & Audius. You can also follow me on socials as well! And of course I'll always have music available to stream on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Music & all other DSP's.
Alright, before we wrap up, we’ve got one last question for you—it’s a bit of a tradition around here! What’s your all-time favorite sci-fi movie?
This might be the popular pick but I have to go with Interstellar. I'm a huge fan of Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer is hands down my favorite soundtrack composer.
Marcus, thanks again for taking the time to chat with us—we really appreciate it and look forward to seeing what’s next for you!
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