An Interview With Producer and Songwriter MARCLO On His Latest Musical Project, Working With Babyface and Much More!

Meet songwriter and producer, Marclo!

His latest single “SWNGN” debuted on Spotify’s Weekly Buzz playlist and has been added to Spotify’s Viral 50 – US and Global charts, peaking at number 9 on the US chart.

• The EP is a modern twist on 90’s classics with musical influences such as Montell Jordan and Will Smith while visually depicting the themes and colors of movies like “White Men Can’t Jump” and TV shows like “Martin.”

Learn more about Marclo in the following All Access interview:

What are some words you would use to describe 2016 for you and your music? What were some of the highlights? What are you most excited about for 2017?

Last year was definitely SWNGN, I had the time of my life working with so many talented musicians. To be honest, any year creating music as a profession is pretty amazing. We
(M&S) produced and wrote records for Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Meghan Trainor, Zara Larsson and more. This year I’m excited about creating more records with the guys and releasing more solo music.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Could you see yourself doing anything else today?

I went to a performing arts elementary and middle school, so music has always been a part of my life. My earliest musical memory has to be of my brother practicing his trumpet in the room we shared. I learned those scales at the same time I learned how to walk. If I wasn’t doing music I could see myself acting, playing for the Miami Heat or doing some type of humanitarian work. I’ll end up doing 2/3 of those either way.

I’m curious to know that after writing and producing for so many artists, why now did you decide to release your own music? What does that feel like for you?

I feel that everything happens in its season and time. I hadn’t released music as a solo artist before now because I felt it wasn’t the right time or temperature to present my artistry to the world yet. Not comparing myself, but Jesus studied and prepared for his ministry for 30 years and then went into the world for 3 years. He’s still a topic of conversation more than 2,000 years later. Preparation is key!

What experience writing or producing with another artist sticks out in your mind as the most rewarding and memorable?

I had the opportunity to work with Babyface recently, a producer/songwriter that pioneered a sound and genre of music that I grew up listening to and was heavily inspired by. It was so memorable because he was clearly humble to the game and the art form of songwriting. He dropped so many gems that he should have made us pay for, haha. He’s a class act and music legend.

You recently premiered your debut single “SWNGN” and the video for it. Where did the inspiration for this song come from? How creatively involved were you with the making of the video?

I wanted to do something that felt like New Jack Swing with a futuristic feel. Definitely was inspired by Montell Jordan and his song “This Is How We Do It”, that song is just so legendary! I was very hands-on and involved in the making of the SWNGN video. I wrote the treatment for it and Cazhmere, my director, helped bring my ideas to life. It was the best video I’ve shot to date. Can’t wait for the next one!

When do you hope to release more songs and your EP, “Nostalgia”? How does “SWNGN” compare to the rest of this collection?

Great question, I just released a remix of the 2016 hit “Middle” by DJ Snake and Bipolar Sunshine. Nostalgia is dropping summer ’17. We’re very excited for everyone to hear the project! It’s all very cohesive with SWNGN. Once you hear it, you’ll understand that SWNGN is just one piece of a bigger puzzle.

Who are some of your favorite musicians? What musicians would you love to work with in the future?

I have so many musicians that I respect and admire. Quincy Jones, Max Martin, Pharrell, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Lauryn Hill, Babyface, Andre 3000, Drake and Michael Jackson to name a few, but the list goes on. I’d love to work with Thundercat & Kaytranada in the near future. I’m really connecting to the music they’re releasing these days.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs?

I just want people to feel a rush of joy or hope when they listen to my music. There is enough negativity and darkness to go around, I just want to be a light to that kid in his bedroom who needs help finding a reason to dance. I want to be a catalyst for happiness through messages in my music.