About Me
From the moment the grinding bass line comes pouring through the unassuming speakers, merged seamlessly with the flamboyant staccato of the snare and sharp zing of the strings, it's apparent that Big Yo (Marrio Marshall) is bringing something unique to Hip Hop-an unwavering sense of musicality. "I've been rapping since kindergarten," he says with a trace of laughter. "I even remember saying on career day that I wanted to be a rapper."
Honing his skills on the microphone, the Memphis native teamed up with neighborhood friend and fellow aspiring rapper/producer, Tommy Wright III-who has since gone on to achieve local and regional success. He contributed production to Tommy's independent release, On the Run and found that his affinity for Hip Hop was not just a passing phase, but a culture and genre that he was willing to make sacrifices for.
In 1996, he moved to Atlanta, drawn to the city's rich musical history, and quickly formed relationships with numerous area artists and producers. Joining forces with Fi Records in late 1999, a local label that had alliances with several established musicians, Big Yo found himself the house beatsmith, working with celebrated regional and national acts including, Lil Blunt (Bluntnatized), Sammy Sam (Still Intoxicated), Indo G, the Yin Yang Twinz and Ghetto Mafia.
All the while, he was still creating and conceptualizing his own album, and making frequent guest appearances as an emcee on numerous projects. With his spitfire flow and heartfelt lyrics, soon it was apparent that he was just as dedicated to rapping as he was to producing tracks. "I try to avoid saying cliché shit as far as weed smoking, drinking and saying I'm the 'realest' and all that," he says. "I try to keep it lyrical but I don't want it to get to where normal kats can't understand me."
Then, in 2003, after buying an album by Mr. Mike (formerly of Suave House Records, Priority Records) he formed an alliance that would grant him the respect he'd been seeking in the industry. Upon hearing his production, the Gold selling artist immediately sought him to work with South Circle, the group with which he made a name for himself and his partner-in-rhyme, Thorough, selling over 200,000 records with their debut release, Another Day Another Balla in 1995. Freshly regrouped, Mr. Mike and Thorough were set to begin work on their first album in nearly a decade.
"Working with Mr. Mike and Thorough was cool because I've been listening to them since they came out, when I was in the 9th and 10th grade," he enthusiastically relays. "Working with them was like a dream come true because I looked up to them as some of my favorite artists and for them to like me and respect me like I've been in the game for 9 or 10 years is amazing to me."
Soon after, celebrated westcoast emcee, Kam, decided to use a Big Yo track on his anticipated forthcoming release, certifying Yo's arrival on the musical scene. "My thing is just bringing good music to the game, taking it back to the old days, when it was just soul music," he says solemnly. "Old school music and soul music is a part of me so it's going to be a part of what I do. I don't look at is as just Hip Hop, it's all music to me, Hip Hop is just an expression."
