Marcus Christ is a rising independent artist from MtB Entertainment, bringing raw emotion and purpose-driven storytelling to today’s hip hop scene. With a background shaped by both formal education and real-world experience, Marcus blends intellect with street awareness, creating music that speaks to both the mind and the soul. Drawing inspiration from legends like Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson, his sound fuses powerful lyricism with timeless musical influence.
Fresh out of the studio in Hollywood, California, Marcus Christ delivers his latest single, ‘Don’t Wait’, a track that captures urgency, ambition, and the relentless drive to seize the moment. The song reflects his belief that time is the most valuable asset—and that hesitation can cost you everything. With passion in every verse and authenticity at his core, Marcus Christ continues to carve his lane, inspiring listeners to act now, chase purpose, and never look back.
We sat down with Marcus to discuss his creative evolution, the spiritual influences behind his work, and what fans can expect from his highly anticipated upcoming album.
Marcus, it’s a pleasure to connect with you! To start things off, you’ve mentioned that your musical roots go all the way back to your elementary school choir—how do you feel that early foundation in harmony and rhythm still influences the way you construct your hip hop tracks today?
“Hi! Thanks for taking the time to listen to my music and asking these thoughtful questions. I remember learning how to read music in elementary school, and that was a strong foundation for who I am today. I was also an altar boy, so that probably played a role in my religious beliefs and namesake. When I got to high school and joined the rap group 46th Lane, a lot of those memories with reading and playing music in elementary school may have subconsciously affected me.”
“I always say that what makes us unique from each other is our own lived experiences. You are probably you because everything in your life from the past moulded you into who you are today, and even with me, every blade of grass that I see is different from the perspective that everyone else has. Today I don’t think much about those early years learning music, I usually reference something more recent and my motivation is probably the opposite sex. My creative motivation or inspiration.”
Your upcoming album, ‘The American Pharaoh’, arrives on 7th April. Can you tell us a bit about what this project represents for your artistic journey and the sound you’ve cultivated?
“’The American Pharaoh’, set for release on April 7th, marks a defining moment for Marcus Christ’s artistic journey; a project rooted in ambition, identity, and elevation. The title itself symbolizes power, resilience, and rising above circumstances, reflecting both personal growth and a broader message about leadership in today’s culture. While the album stands as a new chapter, it builds on the tradition of hip hop as a platform for storytelling, much like many classic projects in the genre that blend personal narrative with larger themes of struggle and triumph.”
“I would describe the sound on my latest release as a blend of raw hip hop energy and emotional storytelling. It has that gritty, street feel but also brings in melodic elements that let me express deeper thoughts and real-life experiences. I focus a lot on honesty in my music, so every track carries a certain level of intensity and purpose. Whether it is a high energy record or something more reflective, the goal is always to make people feel something real. There has definitely been an evolution in my style since I first began.”
“Early on, I was more focused on just rapping and finding my voice, especially when I was in a group setting. Over time, life experiences shaped me into more of a complete artist. I became more intentional with my songwriting, more open with my emotions, and more focused on delivering a message. Now my sound feels more refined and personal, and it represents not just where I came from but who I am becoming.”
You’ve been very open about how your father’s sentencing and your personal responsibilities during high school shifted music from a hobby to a necessity. How does having that "outlet" change the way you approach songwriting now, compared to your early days with 46th Lane?
“Back then it there was a lot going on in my personal life that I didn’t want to remain private. I wanted to show people that it could happen to anyone. Now, when I write, I want to show them, Jesus. My dad has been out of prison for over 10 years, so that motivation has changed. Now my name, Marcus (God of War) Christ (Anointed One) is meant to be the true ‘God M.C’. God got my dad and my family through that rough patch, so I should express my joy for that.”
“I also noticed that I express my frustration with the current state of affairs to get people to pay attention. My song ‘No Lies, No Lies’ is a song for all runaway girls or boys. The hook goes, “No lies, No lies, You’ll be safe tonight. We got these mob ties, these other guys, we should be alright”. I have a concept for a video of a prostitute coming to a church at night with a pastor or priest consoling her, pointing to pictures of saints and Jesus. Maybe have Godfather 3 playing in the background.”
Your new single, ‘Don’t Wait’, centres on the idea that hesitation can cost you everything. Was there a specific "now or never" moment in your own life that inspired the urgency behind this track?
“With me, there is no now or never; I will always say, as my professor used to say, “It depends”. If I want to do something, I will, but if I don’t, I will try my best to avoid it. I recently reached out to this girl I used to like in High School. I'm not gonna say her name, ok, ok her initials are K.B. Anyways, I sent her a DM and got no response. That is probably a never at this point, but as a believer in the bible and Jesus, ‘Anything is possible’.”
“I feel that one girl that I had a crush on back in the day may be a little bit of nothing for The Father to handle, but would I want the Father to interfere in my love life, or lack of one? I noticed people ask God for things they think they want, but when or if they get it, they don’t really want it. Like, let's take fame, for example. Teenagers especially want to be cool and well known, but now, as a 42-year-old black guy, I don’t want to attract any attention. Who wants to be famous and broke? I dress bummy to appear weak, but secretly I remain strong, financially. So, if there is a now or never moment for me, I haven’t realized that reality yet.”
You’ve mentioned feeling the spirits of legends like Tupac and Michael Jackson guiding you during your writing sessions—how do you balance paying homage to those timeless influences while ensuring your own sound remains distinct?
“Marcus Christ is just a new take on Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save the sinners, but he also spent time with them. I noticed that MJ and 2Pac had very damaging rumours regarding their personal sex life. I was labelled a felon for spray-painting and stealing a small orange juice. The public tends to be less forgiving when in large groups, but as individuals on the most micro level, we all deserve a second chance. I call it the herd mentality: go right when we go right, go left when we go left, or take your chances by yourself. That herd mentality is very prominent in the Los Angeles County Jail. I never went to prison, but I can only imagine that mentality exists there as well. Marcus Christ will remain distinct and modern because of the risks he’ll be willing to take.”
What is the core message you hope listeners walk away with after experiencing the full ‘American Pharaoh’ project on 7th April?
“Well, April 7th happens to be my 43rd birthday. So, this project was a gift from me to me. I’m just sharing it with those who want to listen. I’m doing a major PR push to get more people acquainted with my work and my artistry, but I’m not chasing fame; I’m chasing a changed man in the mirror. I just listened to the current version of the album we want to drop on April 7th, but I think this may be some of my best work yet. I love my old material, but I feel that I showed that I can do this at an elite level, but I’m chasing personal delayed gratification instead of public instant gratification. College showed me that delayed gratification is much more rewarding and teaches more discipline. I hope people can walk away from the new album ‘The American Pharaoh’ and see my growth as an artist.”
You have an incredibly efficient workflow, recording 13 songs in just 6 hours. When you’re in that Hollywood studio environment, how do you maintain such a high level of raw emotion and "street awareness"?
“I wouldn’t say it’s high pressure for me. I do more amazing things on a regular day, but it was certainly exciting and personally motivating. Last time I went in 06’ they had a fruit basket, but now they have a whole kitchen. They came up, or they were already up, I just didn’t know. Either way I was really enjoyable, with a great staff, excellent location, and much needed. Hopefully, we can get a professional studio in Compton. Hollywood is great for those pop and mainstream acts, but hip hop has a history in the streets of Compton and L.A. too.”
Does using your phone for lyrics now allow you to capture "real-time" emotions better than the traditional paper-and-pen method?
“Not really, because I only write music when I have the time and energy to do it. I don’t use AI to write any lyrics. So, it's still time-consuming, but I can read my typing better than my writing.”
Finally, given the duality of your music—from high-energy anthems like ‘Catch Me On The Weekends’ to the depth of ‘The American Pharaoh’—where do you see your sound evolving next?
“This is the first time I don’t have a title ready for my next project. I came up with ‘The American Pharaoh’ in 2017 so it took 9 years to come to fruition. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to drop another album like this one. The title of my next project will determine what I or my art evolves into.
Looking ahead, Marcus Christ is building momentum with a wave of upcoming releases and visuals. With ‘The American Pharaoh’ set to drop on 7th April, promising a dynamic mix of hard-hitting hip hop and introspective tracks, Marcus is solidifying his presence as an artist to watch. Keep an ear out for the new music video for ‘Don’t Wait’ and his latest radio singles, as he continues to push the boundaries of the evolving music landscape.
Ahead of the album’s release, be sure to follow Marcus Christ on Facebook, YouTube, and our course, Spotify, to stay updated.
