Hidden Gems: Meet Marcus Leslie of Elevated Underground

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Leslie.

Hi Marcus, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My professional name is Obliq The Architect. I’m originally from southwest Atlanta. Much of the man I became was due to the experiences and lessons I learned on Cascade Rd. I’ve been around music my entire life. My mother was a professional gospel singer and my cousin was a music producer. I always loved it, but I developed a passion for it when I began producing beats during my sophomore year in high school.

I started crafting my own lyrics and recording as an artist because at the time I couldn’t find anybody to rap on my beats (they were pretty terrible lol). I quickly realized I had a talent for writing and recording. And my voice sounded damn good on those tracks. Over the years I kept chasing the desire to want my mixing to sound like the records I heard on the radio. I would give myself three-month assignments. I would learn and new technique and spend three months trying to master it. Then I’d learn something new and spend another three months trying to master it.

I just kept adding to my arsenal. Along my journey, I’ve discovered so many talented artists. Eight of those artists have become like brothers to me. I now produce and manage all of them. I have my own commercial studio in downtown Fort Walton Beach, FL. We’ve won 6 music awards and shared the stage with legends like Naughty By Nature, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big Boi (Outkast), Mac Lethal, Spose, and many more.

My OG, mentor and personal DJ is Cool Ice Water aka Master Ice of the Jazzy 5 MCs. He is a hip-hop pioneer from the Bronx. He was around for the beginning of the culture. He was inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame in Washington, DC in 2019. He gave me my name. Before his mentorship, I went by the name Obliq. He gave me my final name. In the early days of hip-hop, you had to be given your name. Similar to how you receive your street basketball name. Ice kinged me “The Architect” because of my leadership style. As my business partner, Hollywood Mechee, says “If we have a destination, you are the GPS.”

As my favorite rapper Nipsey Hussle said, “That’s why they follow me home. They think I know the way.”

I’m very happy with the journey I’ve walked in my 21-year career. The most fulfilling part has been the lives I’ve impacted and helped along the way. Whether it be saving someone’s life with a song, Helping someone complete a lifelong dream of creating a song in a real recording studio, or giving young black men a safe place to express themselves, I know I’m living my purpose on purpose.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not. I’ve been through every emotion during the course of my career. I’ve quit more times than I can remember. But, when it’s in you its in you. You cannot run away from what God has for you. My life was always going to be this way.

The hardest thing I’ve ever gone through along the journey was surviving a home invasion in 2011. The group I was in at the time comprised of three members. My brother Kevin Price (Price on the Mic), myself and our mutual best friend Zack Flower (Zeus Flower) all lived together in an apartment we turned into a studio. We lived for our brotherhood and musical connection. November 21st, 2011 everything changed when two men entered our apartment shooting my brother and executing our best friend in front of us.

That was the moment that I almost didn’t make it back from. Surviving it was one thing, but I didn’t think I’d ever make music again. I think that experience changed the way I approached music. I did not make a song for eight months as my brother was recovering and learning how to walk again.

That experience revealed to me how fragile life is. How at any moment, it can just be gone. I started focusing more on the messages that I was giving the world in my art. When I transition out of this world, my children will only be able to hear my voice and who their father really was through the records I make.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Elevated Underground?
I own a full multimedia and recording studio. We specialize in providing marketing and branding materials for an independent artists to promote themselves. We do not do promotions but we provide every service an artist needs to promote themselves. From recording and artist development to graphics and distribution services. The goal is to teach artists the “business” part of the music business.

Elevated Underground (EU) was established in 2008. When we came up with the name, the intention was to create mainstream quality productions and an underground level. Over the years, the true meaning presented itself. We elevate artists on a personal and spiritual level as well as professionally. Our studio has become somewhat of a therapist’s office. I love the opportunity to connect with young artists on a deeper level than just taking their money.

This company has given me the opportunity to help artists understand “why” they make music and tap into their emotions and vulnerability. I literally watch artists grow in front of my eyes.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My passion is music, but my purpose is inspiring artists to be their true, authentic selves. You hear my purpose through my passion.

Pricing:

• Studio Time $50/hr
• Mixing $200/song
• Mastering $50/song
• Logos $150
• Artwork $150

Contact Info:

• Website: elevatedunderground.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevated_underground/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedunder
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ElevatedUnderground/videos

Image Credits
Ally LX, Derek Veech