Rising Stars: Meet Brendon A. “Marley” Waters of Powder Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brendon A. “Marley” Waters.

Hi Marley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From the early years of my life, I grew up in a home where rhythm was as natural as breathing. My father was a musician, a man whose sound carried warmth and wisdom, and my mother had an artist’s eye that could capture an entire story in a single photograph. Between them, I inherited both the ear and the vision. Music and art weren’t just things I admired — they were in my blood.

I was always curious, always creating. Whether it was mixing science experiments in the kitchen, recording beats on anything that could make a sound, or sketching out ideas that only made sense to me at the time, I was building worlds before I knew what that meant. The drums became my first language, the trombone taught me discipline, and somewhere in between I realized that creation was the way I connected to everything around me.

By the time I hit my teenage years, I was already chasing the feeling of performance. I wanted to share what I was making, the songs I wrote, the moves I created, the art I designed. I’d find myself on any stage I could — from talent shows to pep rallies — just to see the reaction, to feel the connection. I still remember 2004 vividly: a young me, back then going by Genesis, standing at the center of a packed gymnasium, with every student in the bleachers watching as I performed songs and choreography I had written and rehearsed in my bedroom. That moment — the sound of the crowd, the energy, the spark — that was the ignition. That’s where it all began.

Fast forward fifteen years, and that same spark has carried me across stages, studios, and continents. Today, I’m blessed to be a multi-platinum, award-winning producer, composer, and artist, with over a decade and a half in the entertainment industry. I’ve produced and written for artists like Tinashe, Wyclef Jean, Lil Wayne, Drake, Schoolboy Q, and Christina Milian, and contributed original compositions for film and television across Disney, Paramount Pictures, Fox, Netflix, Starz, HBO, and more.

Over fifty of my records have been synced to film and TV soundtracks — each one a new story told through sound. But beyond the accolades, my mission has evolved. I’m focused now on tying culture to purpose, weaving innovation through artistry, and encouraging ownership — creatively and personally.

Everything I’ve built, everything I continue to create, comes from the same place it started: that kid in mama’s basement with a dream, a beat in his head, and the drive to turn imagination into reality.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey was far from smooth. There were moments when I felt like I was running on faith alone. I was always trying to figure things out — trying to make something out of nothing — and most of the time, my back was against the wall. I didn’t have the funding, the connections, or even the proper equipment to create the music I heard in my head. I was chasing opportunity while learning how to survive.

Many of the chances I took were short-sighted, but each one carried a lesson. Every small step, every setback, shaped the bigger picture. I remember spending what little I had to travel, perform, or meet with people who I thought could open doors — only to find the reward wasn’t what I hoped for. Those moments left me unfulfilled, but never broken. They taught me endurance, patience, and discernment.

When I left my hometown to chase my dream in Los Angeles, it was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I dropped out of college with one year left to graduate. I didn’t have any money. My student loans were exhausted, and I had less than two hundred dollars in my pocket — but I had vision. I had belief. I had the kind of hunger that money can’t buy.

That’s when I learned the truth: success doesn’t come from what you have — it comes from what you carry. Determination, purpose, and faith became my currency. Every challenge carved resilience into my character. Every detour brought me closer to the destination I was meant to reach.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a hands-on, innovative creative architect. I’ve always seen myself as someone who builds — from concept to idea, from sound to system. Music was the first vehicle, the force that carried me into this journey, and it remains the foundation of everything I do. But over time, music became more than sound — it became a blueprint. It taught me how to build structures on top of structures: creative systems, business models, and entire ecosystems that connect artistry with innovation.

I’ve spent over fifteen years in this industry, navigating its changes, shape-shifting through its eras, and learning how to stay not just relevant — but revolutionary. I specialize in composition and production, but my work goes beyond beats and melodies. I’m deeply involved in songwriting, vocal production, engineering, and conceptual development — the full creative process, from inception to impact. If I’m not building music for my own artistry, I’m developing artists, crafting soundtracks, or creating systems that redefine how music and technology interact.

What I’m most proud of today is a project that brings everything full circle — my book, Bait to Plate: How to Navigate, Attract, and Shape-Shift to Success in the Modern Music Industry. It’s more than a book — it’s a movement. It’s me sharing the wisdom, lessons, and truths I’ve collected along this journey. The grit. The sacrifice. The knowledge that I wish someone had handed me when I was just starting out.

My purpose has grown beyond the music itself, it’s about giving back, about providing tools and insights for the next generation of creators who are ready to build something of their own.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No one makes it alone — and I’ve never been afraid to say that. The roots of my creativity, my drive, and my discipline all trace back to my family. My mother, my father, and my uncle are the foundation.

My father was the blueprint of self-mastery. He taught himself to play classical music entirely on his own — not for fame, but for growth. That drive to keep sharpening your craft stuck with me. My mother gave me heart and perspective — she might not have known the music business, but she gave me something just as valuable: the belief that I could figure it out.

My uncle played a huge role in shaping my understanding of the industry. Though he worked full-time in law enforcement, he always found time to immerse himself in music. He worked with different acts, and because of that, he was someone I could talk to who understood both the creative and business sides of the game.

My brother, Lawrence also played a major part — he shared his resources, opening doors that I couldn’t have walked through otherwise. His help allowed me to travel, build connections, and reach opportunities that changed my life. My cousin Jasmine helped make those journeys possible too, helping me get to places where my next big steps waited.

I’ve also had mentors and supporters in the industry who believed in me early on. One that stands out is Tricky Bizness, a respected music executive whose wisdom and guidance meant a lot. He not only gave me advice, but took action — sending my music to Atlantic Records, which led to me being flown out to Los Angeles to write with their artists. That opportunity became the launchpad for so many more.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to work with a range of people — managers, attorneys, assistants, and collaborators — each of whom helped shape a part of this journey. From friends who let me crash on their couch, like Nate Walka and Ann-Marie, to those who opened their studios when I couldn’t afford to pay. Every act of generosity became a stepping stone.

Today, as I continue building House of Nuwara, I’m surrounded by new pillars of strength. People like Jared Washington, who’s been instrumental in helping me develop the brand and bring its purpose to life. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about how far you go — it’s about who’s walking beside you along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://btpbook.framer.website/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialmarleywaters
• Other: http://waters.audio

Image Credits
Christopher Parsons, Ace Ceezay, Glow & Ruido