24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
Cliff Marley: This is Cliff Marley, Top Shottas in the building, much love && respect to all who have heard my music so far and appreciate it as much as I do, coming from the 7 cities, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Much love.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what
inspired you?
Cliff Marley: I was raised around good music. I listen to all genres now but growing up it was all soulful music, the R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soul 60’s, 70’s, Oldies but Goodies. They all hit the soul.
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Cliff Marley: Hip-Hop in Virginia growing up was under the Dirty South influence. We had the trap music in heavy rotation along with our own hometown hitters, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, The Clipse. Pretty much we stayed up to date.
24: What makes you Unique as a artist and different from other Rappers out now?
Cliff Marley: As an artist I’m expressing what is going on much more differently than what you have heard already. I’m just telling you stories, giving you morals; it’s just life in song for me. Put you in different situations.
24: Tell us about what you are working on.
Cliff Marley: Right now you can look forward to some dope videos from my project Open Beach (http://www.datpiff.com/Cliff-Marley-Openbeach-mixtape.455158.html), I’m teaming up with some creative people to get this done, it will be really dope so look out. COMING SOON
24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Cliff Marley: See, most of the producers I used on Open Beach were all hand chosen from datpiff.com, I just admired their work and the beats stood out to me. I have been in collaboration also with FSD Productions (http://www.youtube.com/user/FSDproduction) Check them out over there, dope producers. I really look forward to working with any producer who would like to work with me as far as understanding my music.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
Cliff Marley: Yess, much love again to everyone who have heard OpenBeach or any of my work. I appreciate the love and feedback. Through HIM all things are possible so I’m humble to the experiences this far.
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?
Cliff Marley: The youth. The youth I speak of is the ones our news channels and press look down on. They live to control our youth, through my music I’m not the news, but I can tell you what’s really going on and the youth need to hear it. They are the future and once they hear me, then I become a household name. They let you in with open arms. I love that its free downloads when you want it to be free.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Cliff Marley: It’s a revolution going on right now so everyone is showing their colors. Me of course, I’m showing you all red, gold, and green. It’s a lot of controversy making headlines and they want to point it at our music. Can’t point no fingers, you just change it you know. It’s not just music, it’s just a lot of people need to look in the mirror at today. Enjoy yourself before you destroy yourself.
24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?
Cliff Marley: I’m currently attending Old Dominion University and working part time. I must keep a schedule, I love to work.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
Cliff Marley: In 2013, it is a revolution going on and I’m not coming into the game no guns drawn, you know? I’m putting heart into everything with my name on it, it’s about loyalty in the end so I might upset the balance of things. Real recognizes real.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Cliff Marley: Find me on Twitter: @IMtruuCOKE, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cokeainee.cliff , on InstaGram @Cokeaineemarley, or my soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cliffmarley. BUSINESS ONLY – cliffmarleyy@gmail.com, hit me up.
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Cliff Marley: Make sure yall check out my mixtape OpenBeach (http://www.datpiff.com/Cliff-Marley-Openbeach-mixtape.455158.html ), download and blaze to it, look out for the videos coming up soon. We just gone have fun , This Cliff Marley, Top Shottas in the building salute to me shottas, daily, Bless.
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