What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Grxnd Mxrquis
What’s the story behind your stage name?
Marquis is actually my first. My stage name is a nickname given to me by my older cousin Dominique. He and his mom (my aunt) have literally been calling me, “Graaand Marquis!” Onsite for years now. I just replaced the a’s with x’s for the aesthetic.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I started to take my craft seriously in 2020 during pandemic. Since then, I’ve grown tremendously. I’m dedicated to broadening my fan base and honing my skills.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
The last track I released is titled, ‘Compensation’. A lot of energy and emotion went into recording that song. Everything I had been through a couple months prior to creating it was poured into it. I was laid off from my trucking job, and a couple weeks later, I lost my hearing due to a viral infection for over a month. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make music again, but when I got the chance, that’s what came out.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
Often times, when I’m recording, I’m actually talking to myself. I’m pushing and motivating myself to get better as an artist and an entrepreneur. I pop a lot of shit in my music, but in reality I’m a very lowkey, and low maintenance and humble person. ‘Grxnd Mxrquis’, is definitely me, but internally. If that makes sense.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Like I mentioned before, I lost my hearing for about a month or so, and during that time I was battling with depression and anxiety caused by the fear of possibility never being able to hear clearly again. Fun fact, my hearing loss was actually caused by bronchitis which caused fluid to build up behind my eardrums. Doesn’t sound like much, but I could barely hear anything. So, during that time I couldn’t record and I didn’t have the mental capacity to write anything. After being diagnosed and cured I was so relieved. The first thing I did was hop in the booth.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I would love to go bar for bar with J Cole and Wayne. Wayne is actually my goat. I’d love to see where I stacked up next to them. I know I’d be able to rise to the occasion. I just wonder those records would sound like. They pop their shit, I pop mine. I think working with either of them would be ideal. I’m a competitor, I take what I do very seriously. I’m not afraid to get washed but as crazy as it may sound, I also don’t see that happening. I’d understand the assignment and I’d deliver as I feel I have been, more recently. I’m in a zone.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
In the next year, I’ll have the recognition of those I look up to musically. I’ll be in those rooms, build business relationships and making connections. I don’t need everyone to know me, but they’ll know of me and I’ll know who I need to know.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
My goal right note is to generate 100k from my music alone, after taxes. So, whatever steps I need to take in order to make that a reality for me and mine is what’s next for me. It’s up from here on out.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Follow me on instagram (@grxndmxrquis). There’s a Linktree in my bio. You can keep up with everything I’m doing musically there.
