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I’ve been the same way. It’s easy when you’re doing what you’re purposed to do, difficult when you’re not doing what you were put here to do. William: What’s noteworthy about Norfolk, Virginia? Marcus: It’s a small city which has struggled with racism and racial tension for a long time. I was involved in a school busing lawsuit when I was ten years old in the 80’s where my mom and I were sued by the city. She was trying to get me into a better school as well as break down the walls of segregation in that city. We lost the case. William: Share with me the highlights of growing up Marcus Bell. Marcus: I grew up with love and support from my family. Encouragement to live my life in the best way possible. I was thinking recently about this topic. The best quality music instruments and equipment can be expensive. My family sacrificed a lot to pay for lessons and purchase the recording equipment I needed to be able to record my songs when I was growing up. I had money coming in from shows but not enough to afford the thousands and thousands of dollars spent for my record label start-up back then. They were my first investors and after them I had some mentors who invested in me. Being able to launch into the music business so young was a major achievement I didn’t recognize until later in life.
patterns, to improvise in conversation and to create possibilities in life. The direct connection between applying practice to learn a musical instrument and learning something like marketing or how to build a website is no different in the amount of effort and near immediate feedback. Anything worth endeavoring in takes deliberate practice and I learned how to practice very early.
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William: Tell me about your favorite childhood memory. Marcus: One of my favorite memories was when my dad took me to a parking lot when I was a kid. He got out of the car and handed me the keys and said, “today you are going to learn how to drive”. I was around eight years old and was shocked and excited! That was the beginning of me realizing the limitations people often have don’t have to apply to me. If I could drive a car, I could drive a business.
After a love breakup when my heart is bleeding on the keys of a piano. I use music to channel the heartbreak and those songs hold meaning and healing.
William: Tell me about the experience and long-term impact of studying music at such a young age. Marcus: I believe the study of music for everyone is as essential as studying reading, writing, and math. It’s a language all of humanity hears but very few, in general, can speak. There are scientific studies which talk about the impact music has on brain development and emotional wellness. It’s a biological necessity as far as I’m concerned. It has helped me with being able to see
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William: From where do your best productions come? Marcus: After a love breakup when my heart is bleeding on the keys of a piano. I use music to channel the heartbreak and those songs hold meaning and healing.
William: When listening to an artist, how do you know whether the person has what it takes to be successful in the music industry? Marcus: I’ve the ability to see potential in people and hear potential. I also recognize it takes more than a great voice and artistic perspective but also requires an experienced team that can navigate all of the nontalent oriented factors for being successful. When I’ve coached artists in my programs, we get into the other elements which allow an artist to define what success is and organize a plan to achieve it. William: When it comes to lyrics, do you believe you’ve a sense of responsibility to the artist and, subsequently, the listener? JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021
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