Stephen Marcos is an upcoming pop artist from Tampa, Florida, in which he was born and raised in. Based on reviews and such, Stephen has everything that the people want to hear and see. With the many companies wanting to sign him, Stephen Marcos signed with Brian Sparks's (SPARKS ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT) in 2011 with strong confidence. Not only does he make great music, but he is also an attendee of the University Of South Florida in which he is currently a sophomore.
Stephen is new in the music industry, yet still manages to be on top of it with many shows, appearances, and so on. He started off with a few friends in his room making amateur tracks when he realized that music was what he was put on this earth for. He has only been in the music industry for a little while now, yet he still managed to get a collaboration and music video with the man himself, Gabriel Antonio (I Love The Way, Ride For Me, Lollipop Remix). With his looks, style, stage presence, and vocal abilities, Stephen has what it takes to be the next big thing!
Just by releasing a few of his hits "Put It Up", " Wish", and "Everything I Need", he managed to get himself noticed enough to be on Tampa's biggest radio station, 93.3 FLZ! His loving fans and his peers are the driving forces that pushed Stephen Marcos to pursue his music career, in which he always strives to make a name for himself in the music industry. Stephen stated, "I just love making music. My goal is to have people enjoy my music as much as I enjoy making it. When that happens, I'll be satisfied, until then it's all about music, music, music!"
I had the opportunity to interview Stephen Marcos to learn more about him:
MJ: Stephen I know your young. How old are you?
SM: Im 20. Turn 21 on June 9, 2012.
MJ: Do you have any siblings?
SM: Yeah, I'm the middle child of three boys. My older brother is 21, and my younger brother is 18.
MJ: At what age did you decide to go the singer/artist route and why?
SM: To be honest, I actually started putting my music out there about a year and a half ago. Therefore I started music at about the age of 18. I've always liked to sing and rap. Sitting down with my pen and pad and listening to beats is what always relieved me from everything i was going through at the moment. I truly believe that music is just emotions put into a rhythmic pattern. I just want people to hear my music and truly feel what I was going through at the time when i was writing it. I want them to depend on my music to lift them when they're at their lowest point, or even when they feel good and just want to jam to an upbeat song.
MJ: Who, whether it be a family member or another artist, has influenced you the most and why?
SM: Actually, I'm the first person in my family to pursue a music career, so it wouldn't be anyone of my family members. If i had to pick an influential character, I think I'd have to choose Mike Posner. I don't only choose Mike Posner because of his catchy, original music, but because him and I connect on many different levels. Posner and I have talked before and he is the most genuine, nice, and humble guy you will ever meet. Reason I see him as such an influential character is because, just like me, he started off on his own from his college dorm. He started promoting his own music on his own and it blew up from there. I truly respect the hard work and dedication he put into getting where he is today and I can truly relate to that to the fullest extent.
MJ: If you could meet anyone in the music business who would it be and why?
SM: I know it probably sounds cliche, but I'd really want to sit down and meet Drake. I say this because Drake isn't only a music icon, he is also a great business man. I'd love to sit down with him and ask what inspires him to write the hits that he does on a regular basis. All in all, he's a great artist.
MJ: What made you choose to be a "pop" artist with all these other types of music out and why?
SM: I was asked many times by many different people when I first started making music, what was my genre. In the beginning, it took me a while to find out who I was as an artist because of the fact that I am capable of putting together many different genres of music. At the time, I was still figuring out what i had to offer to the music industry. I figured that I wouldn't make a decision at the time in what genre I would take in as an artist, so I kept making music and let the music speak for itself. After about 5 months into it, I finally figured it out. Pop. I've always loved "feel good music". The kind of song that you wouldn't mind listening to if you're either sad or happy. The kind of song that when you listen to it when you're sad, it'll brighten you up, and the kind of song that when you listen to when you're happy, it'll heighten your happiness.
MJ: What do you like most about what you do as an artist?
SM: This one is easy. Being able to make my fans happy. I know this sounds cliche, but there is no better feeling then knowing that hundreds of people are going out of their way and showing up to your concert just to watch you do what you love to do, and that is to perform your music. I've done many shows, and my fans still seem to amaze me every time. The emotions I see on their faces when I first come out and throughout the show never ceases to amaze me. Just knowing that all those years of hard work and dedication to get better at what you do as an artist, and to know that those fans are waiting patiently on the other side of the stage to acknowledge all the work you've put in your music and actually enjoy it. It's a feeling that no music artist can ever put into words.
MJ: If you could pick anywhere else in the world to live and grow up where would you pick?
SM: I don't mean to disrespect your question, but I'm sorry, i wouldn't be able to sit here and disrespect my city like that. I love Tampa and I wouldn't do anything to change the fact that i was born and raised here. This is MY city.
MJ: So I know you have already did a song with Gabriel Antonio, "Wish". If you could collaborate with another artist if given the opportunity who would it be?
SM: Like i said before, I believe that Mike Posner is a great artist and we share similarities in the sound of music that we make. So after saying that, I believe that if we linked up, we'd make a killer track.
MJ: I know we talked the other day and you told me "I wanna rep Tampa", why?
SM: Like i stated in my previous answer, Tampa is MY city. I was born and raised here. I know Tampa inside and out. After living here all my life and traveling the country, I can truly say that Tampa is the most beautiful city with the most beautiful people in the world. Being such a beautiful city, Tampa needs to be put on the map musically and I believe that this is the least I can do for my city after all that it's done for me.
MJ: I see you're attending University of South Florida ( USF) what is your major?
SM: Yes I am. Currently, Business is my major. Education is the key to success.
MJ: What message are you trying to send to your fans in your songs?
SM: Love. I believe that every song ever produced has either a conscious or subconscious connection to love. My music always includes the subject of love, as I believe love is what makes this world a better place. This is the subject that everyone can relate to, as everyone in this world loves one person or another.
MJ: Where do you like performing at the most and why?
SM: This is a tough question, just because of the fact that every city I perform at, mad people show me love. I love performing at places I haven't performed at before thought, this is because I enjoy being surprised with new places and new people. As long as I give them what they want, I am satisfied.
MJ: Where do you wanna be in 10 years from now?
SM: In 10 years, I want to be the artist that myself and all my fans believe in me to be. Even if I don't hit mainstream, I'd like to continue to produce beautiful music for others to jam out to and enjoy.
MJ: You have been doing this for a while now, and you have fans all over the world, what are you gonna do to keep the fans you have now and to make new ones?
SM: I'm just going to keep dishing out those "feel good" tracks that my fans seem to love! It's not only about making good music, this is what most people don't understand. To be a great music artist and gain many fans, you have to be an all in all great and loving person. I always communicate one on one with my fans. They are the reason I'm here today. I feel like I owe them everything I have.
MJ: Are you signed by anyone? If not what do you think will help you?
SM: I currently am not signed. If the right label, then I would be open to offers.
MJ: What music influences you or gives you ideas for a song?
SM: It's not much the music that influences me. It's my daily life and situations that influence me to make the songs I make. I can promise you that every song I have wrote, has been influenced by my past.
MJ: If you could perform anywhere in the world where would you choose?
SM: Dubai, India. That place is beautiful with beautiful people.
MJ: if the music industry doesn't work out, what do you see yourself doing?
SM: That is not an option. Music is my passion and I will continue to pursue it as long as my fans are there to support me.
MJ: What are your plans for the new year 2012. Where do you hope you will be in your music career?
SM: I have many big things planned for 2012. My manager and I have discusses future shows, albums, tracks, etc. Just know that you will be seeing a lot more of Stephen Marcos in the year 2012!
MJ: Thank you Stephen Marcos for this exclusive interview.
SM: Thank you everyone and a special thank you to 813area for allowing me to be interviewed. Take Care.
To learn more about Stephen Marcos and stay connected with him, you can visit the Stephen Marcos Facebook fan page.
