MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about Cymarshall Law for the first time, tell us about yourself.
Cymarshall Law: Lets see Born in the U.K. ended up with LL Cool J’s “I’m Bad” tape sometime in the 80’s, loved it. Moved to NJ when I was 9… fast forward somewhere between a Snoop Dogg “Doggystyle” tape and “Ready To Die Album” I started MCing, no one would let me get studio time so I busted my ass bought my own equipment studied and learned how to use everything from beat machines to Pro Tools. Now I wake up and roll into the studio in only my boxers - gotta love the comfort of having a studio in your home.
The Cymarshall Law is to be you stay true and get yours while you can, so I try to display that through my songs by way of me being a creative artist finding new ways to express artistic appetite. I’ve either been on stage with or made songs with all my favorite indie artists and probably yours too, toured Canada, Europe, been on the Vans Warped Tour 2007, EOW MC Champ 2007, Unsigned Hype in the Source’s Hip Hop Weekly October 2007. Got a non-exclusive deal with Rawkus Records by way of the Rawkus 50 situation to release my album “Hip Hop in the Flesh” digitally that dropped all over the net November 27th iTunes, Amazon etc.
It’s been a big year, I may have missed something but in a nutshell. I love hip hop and I am that in the physical form. My rap style is very similar that of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kun Do, to be….as you are. I’ve been called true and real hip hop but I’d rather just be called me hip hop. I consider myself lyrical, creative and I love to bounce on beats like Tigger. Oh, I write a lot of stories too, because I had so many stories on my last projects I got a bit of name for being a really good story teller.
I use my imagination…that’s one thing I think the game lacks, a lot of heads are the same…..but it’s crazy ‘cause sometimes an artist such as myself maybe over looked for being different. I find that highly ironic. Everyone crying for something different but when something different comes along its like, “Oh, he different I don’t know If I can mess with that…” Funny stuff, but I’m sticking to my guns, that’s what all the greats did then soon everyone began to follow like they knew all along what was good.
Anyhow I have at least 2 albums coming out in 08 , the part 2 to my 07 album “Hip Hop in the Flesh,” it’s called “Hip Hop in the Soul” coming in April or May 08 and also about a month earlier my group Everliven Sound has an album coming out in March. I’m flirting with getting a deal for my projects , but the right company has to present itself, I am looking too….but will not hesitate to put out the projects on my own label Freedom Entertainment it was done this year and I found great success because the ultimate goal is to be your own boss, ya know? I know long answer but it could have been much longer. Anyhow let’s move on.
MVRemix: How did the moniker Cymarshall Law come about?
Cymarshall Law: I was told by my bro Skit Slam that before I went head first into rapping I needed a name that represent who I was at the time; Playstation had just came out we was the first on our block to have it . One of our first games we had was Tekken, people came from far and wide to catch ass whoopings by me using the character Marshall Law, so one day when I’m flipping through this Gamepro video game magazine looking for a Emcee Name, ‘cause back then Emcee’s were Superheros or just like ill characters to me so I wanted a name like that. Marshall Law was just sticking out, so I started rolling with that for my first years, then I started hearing about 3 different other Marshall Laws and I couldn’t take it. My whole steelo is to be original, so one day after hearing a Marshall Law get shout out on this mixtape in like 2001 I was like I’m switching it up.
Luckily my real name is Cymar. It’s an original name my Dad made up so I just added the Cy in front of Mar….so now if anyone try to come talking bout they the first Cymarshall Law besides me they on some BS cause I was born with this name homey! Besides that I feel like I’m the martial law of hip hop ,when things are out of control I come through to make things right , when people say “Hip hop is dead,” I come to say, “No… I am hip hop in the flesh and have hip hop in the soul and the soul can never die it is for everliving,” hence my group name Everliven Sound.
MVRemix: As a writer, who has influenced you?
Cymarshall Law: When I first started rhyming everyone used to say I sound like my brother Skit Slam so he was the first influence, before I rhymed I used to jump up and down on my bed spitting his raps. Besides that I’m influenced by everyone and everything I can always find something in anything that I like.
MVRemix: You’re originally from the UK; do you follow the Hip Hop scene over there much?
Cymarshall Law: I can’t say I do too much I would like to more though , when I go over there I’m always asking the locals who’s hot out there then and bringing back a CD or two. The last one I liked was a brother name Klashnekoff. I know Dizzee Rascal is big my boy DJ Ings had a dope track from him on his most recent mix CD….they do this thing called Grime which is a form of Hip Hop , these boys go in so yea I try to follow a bit but its hard when you’re not always on that scene.
MVRemix: Although you’re now affiliated with Rawkus, did you, like many others feel that they had taken a turn for the worst after the “Soundbombing” series went in an unexpected direction towards it’s end?
Cymarshall Law: I mean they went on a definite hiatus….I’m really not sure if that was planned or what so I don’t know if it was a turn for the worst or what…. I do know if that never would have happened my sss might not have no deal with Rawkus right now even though it is non-exclusive at this point so…. It is what it is.
