7even: Thirty Experience
Has anyone ever told you that you should never judge a book by its
cover? I know I’ve heard that once or twice in my lifetime…maybe more.
No matter how much I try not to judge people off of first appearance, I
catch myself doing it every once in a while. For example, I recently
attended a hip-hop show to support a few of my partners in the game.
When my people were on stage, they tore the show down and had the whole
crowd rocking with them. I was sure this performance would be the show
stopping performance of the night. When they came off the stage it was
time for someone else to rip. Here was this guy with a Mohawk, these
big glasses, dressed like Andre Benjamin or somebody. Honestly, I
didn’t know exactly how to take this cat. One song into his set, I was
standing in front of the stage confused with my face all scrunched up.
This dude had utterly impressed me. Not only was he an ill lyricist,
but with his unorthodox style and astonishing energy this artist put on
the best shows I had seen from an underground artist in the past two
years I been on this grind. This surprising performance came on the
night of the anniversary of the day he lost his daughter. That
knowledge and that performance was enough to earn my utmost respect.
When it comes to undiscovered talent, this young dude is a diamond in
the rough. His music and his energy will take you out of this world
and into another dimension. Ladies and gentleman, this is the “7even:
Thirty Experience.”
7even: Thirty a.k.a. Marques Phillips was born prematurely in May of 1982 in West Jackson, MS. 7even: Thirty was one of those children with a very over-active imagination; he was constantly daydreaming, doodling, and trying to be in the middle of things. 7even: Thirty’s credits his parents for introducing him to the arts and encouraging him to embrace his interest in the arts, as many came naturally to the gifted child. Music was something that was one of those natural progressions for him. His father played the piano at his church while his mother sang in the choir. “Just about my whole family is or was in a choir, plays an instrument, or enjoys singing,” he recalls. “So I've been involved in music all my life in some way.” As he continued to grow, 7even: Thirty fell in love with Hip-Hop listening to groups like CL Smooth and Pete Rock. “The first rhyme I ever wrote was to "Rebirth of Slick- Cool like Dat" by Digable Planets, which actually was the first instrumental I could get my hands on…man that was like church to me,” he says as he rolls eyes back in reminiscence. After seeing a video entitled “Drop”, 7even: Thirty made it up in his mind that he would become a rapper and a producer.
7even: Thirty’s path as a rapper started back in 95 and he started producing five years later. He has a very unconventional style and approach to doing music that makes it easy for him to stand stand-out in a room full of artists and performers. His eccentric mode of music and performance is reminiscent of Dungeon Family members such as Andre 3000, Big Gipp, Cee-lo, as well as Native Tongues and Soulquarians. But being different is something that comes so natural to 7even: Thirty that it’s something that he doesn’t have to assert himself to do. “Being "unorthodox" is something I find, for myself, to be inevitable,” he says. “I do think it important for artists, though influenced by other artist, to find their own voice as individuals.” In August of 2007, 7even: Thirty established his voice with the release of his solo album entitled, Star: The Seven Thirty Experience. The lyrically “abstract” solo release has taken him across the country allowing him to collaborate with few artists and gain the respect of hip-hop listeners along the way. 7even: Thirty recently dropped his mixtape, Late Night Sessions, and looks forward to the release of future projects. “I have a couple of projects to be announced later on in the year. If I tell you now, I have to dispose of you,” he jokes.
Every once in a while, you hear an artist that is capable of stopping you in your tracks. For me, 7even: Thirty is one of those artists. As I stood in front of that stage on that Friday night, I was captivated with this star. I was utterly impressed, which I will warn you, is hard to do. What does the future hold for 7even: Thirty? “I would like to for my music to go as far as it's meant to go. I intend to take the people of earth into space at the very least. Whatever happens after that will not be forced or compromised. I certainly do not want to be worshiped!” He says as he bursts into laughter, “If it ever goes that far I am quitting!” If you’re ready for a trip out of this atmosphere, then get into the “7even: Thirty Experience.”
For more information on 7even: Thirty, please visit www.myspace.com/7eventhirtysounds.