Our introduction to Marlon Craft, a standout figure in contemporary hip hop, came through his interview on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber. In this appearance, Craft immediately distinguished himself through his sharp lyrical craft, his seamless blend of hip-hop and jazz, and his thoughtful, nuanced approach to performance. His measured articulation, both in conversation and music, reflects a deep-rooted commitment to authenticity—a rare quality in an increasingly commercialized genre.
Compelled by this initial encounter, we turned to Craft’s discography and were met with a body of work that felt as expansive as it was intimate. His music, heavily influenced by his upbringing in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, draws from his experiences within the neighborhood and his family’s evolution. Craft’s narrative focus on these personal and communal spaces grounds his art in a sense of place, offering listeners a rare window into the complexities of urban life.
More than just a chronicler of his surroundings, Marlon Craft has emerged as a keen observer of the larger socio-political landscape. His music deftly navigates themes of familial bonds, love, and the fractured nature of public life in an era marked by deep political and cultural divisions. Yet, within this larger framework, he never loses sight of the personal. Whether reflecting on the sport of basketball or on the personal growth that accompanies hardship, Craft maintains a balance between the intimate and the universal, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives through the lens of his experiences.
In an industry that often prizes spectacle over substance, Marlon Craft offers something different. His discography is a testament to the power of narrative in music, showcasing an artist deeply engaged with both his personal history and the broader human condition. For those seeking depth and insight in hip-hop, Craft’s work offers a refreshing and necessary voice, one that resonates well beyond the borders of Hell’s Kitchen.
Marlon Craft – Bad Man (Official Music Video)
Oct 16, 2024
director/editor – Nathan R. Smith
producer/colorist – Jacob Carlson
assistant camera – Sheridan James
prod. Yonaton “xSDTRK” Ayal, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Dan Edinberg, Rory Farrell. Add’l vox prod Leah Rich.
mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post
mastered by Lee La Roc at Roc Star Studios
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Explore NYCDemocracy in Peril
Connect Marlon Craft's socio-political commentary with broader discussions about American democracy, white supremacy, and the urgent need for authentic voices in times of political division.
Learn MoreArmageddon’: See The Chilling Warning About White Supremacy Before The Capitol Riot
Marlon Craft – State of the Union, Part. II (Official Music Video)
shot and edited by Jacob Carlson, produced by xm∆ne + Arbus Beats mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studio
As law enforcement and the Senate pursue accountability for the Capitol riot and insurrection, world leaders and cultural figures have been speaking out and condemning the attack on democracy. Rapper Marlon Craft has a new song challenging clichés about unity and arguing America cannot try to be unified until people confront things that should not be negotiated, from scientific truths about Covid-19 to white supremacy. Craft joins MNSBC’s Ari Melber and former RNC chairman Michael Steele to discuss his searing song and his hopes for America’s future. (This interview is from MSNBC’s “The Beat with Ari Melber, a news show covering politics, law, and culture airing nightly at 6 pm ET on MSNBC.) http://www.thebeatwithari.com). Aired on 01/22/2021.
Marlon Craft Completely Spazzes On Nas’ “Nas Is Like” Beat | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
In celebration of the release of his new album “While We’re Here”, Marlon Craft comes back to Sway In The Morning to drop a monster Freestyle!
Marlon Craft is a hip-hop artist from Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. The 26-year-old New York City MC offers an essential mix of new school oxygen and golden-era sensibilities. After making waves in the Big Apple’s underground scene, Marlon emerged into the spotlight in 2019 with his debut album, Funhouse Mirror, with standout singles: “Shallow” featuring Dizzy Wright as well as the controversial “Gang Shit” addressing institutional racism in America, of which T.I., Killer Mike, Shaun King and more took notice and continued the conversation. Leading with his pen, Marlon combines technical skill with timeless (and often live) musicality to give his music purpose, dimension, and emotional resonance. After sold-out shows in NYC (SOBs) and Los Angeles to mark the success of the album, Marlon attacked 2020-21 dropping 4 projects throughout the pandemic. his latest, HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE mixtape was released to much success and acclaim. Craft looks to hit the road again as things open throughout the country and world.
Marlon Craft – I Still Don’t Cry (Official Music Video)
prod. Arbus Beats
additional prod. Daniel Edinberg
mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post
Directed by Jacob Carlson + Marlon Craft
On-Set Acting Coaches: Megan Grace Martinez + Christine Cirker
Actors (In Order of Appearance):
Eric Ruffin
Edwin Pierre De La Roa
Ian Cramer
Michael Parker
Brian Richardson
Jacob Carlson
Deon Frank
Music
SONG
I Still Don’t Cry
ARTIST
Marlon Craft
ALBUM
SPACE 2
LICENSES
Inner street Recordings (on behalf of HOMECOURT LLC)
Marlon Craft – Dear Life (Official Music Video)
STREAM: https://lnk.to/DearLife
prod. HaqqMav mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post Mastered by Lee La Roc Directed + edited by Jacob Carlson
Marlon Craft – Family (Official Music Video)
directors: Nathan R. Smith & John Tashiro
Line Producer: Owen Lazur
Production Coordinator: Ingie Enan
1st AD: Andrew Daniels
DP: John Tashiro
Steadicam: David Quateman
AC: Luke Carquillat
Gaffer: Linda Wu
PA: Jonas Berry
Colorist: Ryan Berger @ Irving Harvey
Video Commissioner: Court Dunn
Marlon Craft – Family (Official Live Video)
Song
Family (Live)
Artist
Marlon Craft
Licensed to YouTube by
Polaris Hub AB, Muserk Rights Management, ASCAP, and 4 Music Rights Societies
Marlon Craft – Dribblin’ (Live w/ Band)
“Dribblin'”
Trepidation escalatin’ like a Cadillac
Calendar startin’ to look like an hourglass
Chasin’ ass, tryna give myself the shallow pass
Raftin’ murky moral waters it’s hard to paddle back
Oh no, no
Boy I got the range with it, but it’s hard when I’m shootin’ from the same distance
Look at all the shit I get to be, there’s a lot ridin’ on me like Porzingis’ knee
And it’s hard to look outside, it all seems like chaos now, now, now
Love my pride but that shit only slow me down, down, down
In the space where the real can’t be defined and I wonder what I’m down here to find
While the loud lead the blind
I’m devoutly inclined to just pass me some time
I been bouncin’ back and forth
Got the world all in my hands
Said the ball is in my court
I don’t think they understand
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
Dribblin’, dribblin’ in the same old place and I been here a minute
And all the same old faces back and forth be like Wimbledon
The reflections of my reflection leave me feelin’ simple
It’s on me baby, I’m all me, baby
My chest been tight but I believe I’mma breathe lately
Let’s find time to definitely all of these maybes
Time for me to step to Me before me play Me
I been tryna talk to Love
She ain’t picked up in a minute now, is it how I’m livin’?
I’m more than what I want
Once I let it go, I’mma get it
I’m worth more than the pendant
This funhouse isn’t fun
Mirror been showin’ us the wrong thing for a while
Lookin ’round at these adults with all the symptoms of childs
Shit and all of their convictions be as thin as their smiles
So I think it’s time to show up, hold up
I was froze, now I’m liquid
I’mma flow through the door til’ the floor lookin’ drenched
And I think that I finally get it now, I ain’t gonna sit it out
Shooters shootin’, I can’t only dribble now
And I can’t ever tell one single fib or doubt in anything I scribble down
I been livin’ rental style, think it’s time to own me
Fuck anybody that told me the shit I won’t be
Cause they just know I’m one step away from what I’m gon’ see
I been bouncin’ back and forth
Got the world all in my hands
Said the ball is in my court
I don’t think they understand
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
(Boy, shoot your shot!)
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
I been dribblin’, dribblin’
And I got lots to be grateful for, even the bad
They gon’ try to lock me in boxes, I’m free and I’m mad
I’mma leave ’em locked in my body, these demons I have
They ain’t gonna stop me from shootin’
Enemies close and these drums is so pure
Feel the pain when they roll but they ain’t acoustic as my soul
I’m a real one, I know
I’mma deal with my woes, I’mma peel through the fear
I’mma leave it exposed, oh
Bounce back and forth got the world in my hands
Said the ball’s in my court, don’t think they understand
I been dribblin’ dribblin’, dribblin’, dribblin’, dribblin’, dribblin’
Bounce back and forth, world in my hands
Ball’s in my court, don’t think they understand, no
I been dribblin’ dribblin’, dribblin’, dribblin’
Marlon Craft – Cheat Code (Official Live Video)
Music
SONG
ARTIST
LICENSES
Marlon Craft – HANS ZIMMER (Official Music Video)
Song
Artist
Album
Licensed to YouTube by
prod by the legendary Havoc of Mobb Deep. first single off of “While We’re Here” – an album by Marlon Craft, coming soon. STREAM: https://lnk.to/HansZimmerCraft prod. by Havoc add’l prod. Sly5thAve shot and edited by Jacob Carlson mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studios
Marlon Craft – Can’t Call It (Live w/ Band @ NY Distilling Co.)
to celebrate the release of the official “Mom’s Whiskey” rye whiskey bottles, we filmed a short set at the Distillery where the whiskey was made in Brooklyn NY. a few fans and fam were in attendance. “Mom’s Whiskey” limited run available Friday 12pm est at centerdrops.marloncraft.com.
NYC THANKSGIVING HEADLINE SHOW TICKETS: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00…
Shot + Edited by Jacob Carlson
drums: Ian Barnett
keys: Paul Wilson
bass: Dominic Missana
sax: Alex Silver
sound recording: Tom Beuchel
mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post
mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studios
to celebrate the release of the official “Mom’s Whiskey” rye whiskey bottles, we filmed a short set at the Distillery where the whiskey was made in Brooklyn NY. a few fans and fam were in attendance. Shot + Edited by Jacob Carlson drums: Ian Barnett keys: Paul Wilson bass: Dominic Missana sax: Alex Silver sound recording: Tom Beuchel mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studios
Marlon Craft – ALL WE GOT (Official Video)
Shot by Jacob Carlson prod. André Mariette ; co-prod. DJ Pain mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studios Cover Art design by Kellin Holmes; photo by Matt Salacuse Visualizer by Jacob Carlson
Song
Artist
Album
Licensed to YouTube by
Marlon Craft “Show Up” and “Still Speaking” | okay acoustics
On our latest episode of #okayacoustics, NY native Marlon Craft stopped by our office to perform “Show Up” and “Still Speaking” from his debut studio album, ‘Funhouse Mirror.’ Producer: Greg Poole Music recorded and mixed by: Gabe MG Audio: Pro Audio Connection Cinematography: Sam Henriques Editor: Abdul Franklin Colorist: Samantha Astolfi
Marlon Craft – PACE (feat. redveil) (Official Music Video)
third single of #MixtapeCraft Season off the upcoming HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE VOL. 1 project. stream “PACE”: https://lnk.to/CraftPace shot and edited by Jacob Carlson prod. Arbus Beats mixed by Bradley “Dula” Post mastered by Lee La Roc @ Rocstar Studios
Explore More NYC Hip-Hop & Culture
Discover the connections that shape authentic urban storytelling
Mac Miller's Lasting Influence
Explore how Mac Miller's authentic approach to discussing anxiety and depression influenced a generation of hip-hop artists, including Marlon Craft's tribute covers and his album "Funhouse Mirror."
Read MoreNYC Cinema Locations
Discover the Manhattan and Brooklyn filming locations from "Past Lives" - from Madison Square Park reunions to East Village apartments, exploring the same NYC neighborhoods that inspire artists like Marlon Craft.
Explore NYCDemocracy in Peril
Connect Marlon Craft's socio-political commentary with broader discussions about American democracy, white supremacy, and the urgent need for authentic voices in times of political division.
Learn MoreMy New TV Show
I’ve been working for months on a pilot for a new TV show based on my great passion for exploring language and culture. It’s a labor of love produced by Nathan Crane Cohen and me, Arieh Smith. In this episode we explore how Flushing, Queens, has become a surprisingly luxurious travel destination and is changing the face of what it means to be “Chinatown” in New York City. We toured a famous Chinese barber shop that cuts Asian celebrities’ hair (MG Hair Artistic Salon), toured a new $1 billion development in Flushing, New York (Tangram), toured a penthouse in the mall, then ate some incredible (and incredibly spicy) hotpot at Xiang Hotpot. Hope you enjoy! Thanks to Park Bench Pictures (@parkbenchpicturecompany) for all the support!
0:00 Intro 1:07 Getting a Chinese celebrity haircut 4:01 Exploring a new $1 billion Asian-style mall in NYC 7:38 Touring a $3 million penthouse 10:28 Eating super spicy hotpot while trying to speak Chinese 17:03 Closing
