Today we’d like to introduce you to Princeton Marcellis.
A Dallas native, Princeton grew up with both parents who loved all types of music, specifically artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Dee Williams, etc.
They also loved hip hop and always played old school hip hop and the 90’s to 2000s; mainly 2Pac, Jay Z, Notorious BIG, Bad Boy, Wu-Tang, Naughty by Nature, BIG PUN, DMX, Ja Rule and many more.
Being influenced at the early age of five, Princeton began to write his own raps as a hobby and a way to express himself. As he began to listen to lyrical storytelling rappers like Eminem and Kanye West, he also started to take a more lyrical approach after noticing how much skill it takes.
He started to pursue music seriously at the University of North Texas, and although hip hop is evolving to many things, he chooses to keep his music with a message of hope by telling stories of struggles and come ups. Achieving success and climbing the charts is not Princeton’s main goal. He wants to impact and transform our culture and cities by making music that will inspire people and improve lives. “My verses are about struggling and overcoming. The oppressed taking back their place.”
In addition to performing at the 2015 Dove Awards with KB and traveling with Lecrae and Tedashii as a hype man, Princeton is now in studio to complete his first EP.
However, before completing the EP, Princeton has released a song entitled, “Make Cole Proud.”The reason and purpose behind this release was to honor one of his favorite rappers, J. Cole. The past five years has been the lowest points of life, and Cole’s music was very helpful to him during this time.
One of the lines from the song states, “Personal life had started giving me the blues, and it was God, family, and Cole that really got me through. Not a blunt, not a brew, or brown liquor too just, gimme that truth and Cole’s music will do.”
Since Princeton is still an upcoming rapper, making Cole proud to him means that he will continue the legacy of hip hop of remaining true and real with his story and what he sees in life. From Let Nas Down, to Made Nas Proud, to Make Cole Proud, Princeton is inspired by the greats before him and wants to represent hip hop as a life-changing conduit, just as it was for him.
“Measure a man by his actions fully from the beginning to the end. Don’t take a piece out of my life or a song out of my music and say this is what I’m about because you know better than that.” -Tupac Shakur
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anything that is worth fighting for will never be smooth. I think people misconstrue the time, energy, effort, and money put into a craft because they don’t see what’s going on behind the scenes. Instead, they look up and see this person on a 30 city tour and blowing up on social media, making it appear as though it was an overnight success. If one does become an overnight success, maybe he or she doesn’t have what it takes to keep it and have longevity. It’s like the difference between microwaving food or cooking it in the oven. Though the microwave works faster, the oven tastes better and is higher quality when the meal is finished.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Princeton Marcellis story. Tell us more about the business.
I started off just as a rapper, but about two and a half years ago I began to pursue one of my other passions which is acting. I’m inspired by many great artists and actors such as 2Pac, J. Cole, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and Kendrick Lamar, but another artist I’m inspired by is Jay-Z. He brings this professional business mentality to everything he has going, and now he is the fifth black billionaire in America. So, with all the gifts I have, I want to inspire people through my story to have hope, and not just for this life but mainly for the next one.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/princetonmarcellis
- Facebook: facebook.com/princetonmarcellis
- Twitter: twitter.com/_theprincetx
Image Credit:
Nick – @nikonickk
Braylen Moodley – @moodleyproductions
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