Interview: Maro “The FlyCat”

Recently I was able to chat with Maro, “The Fly Cat” himself about his journey as an artist, his future and his opinion about the state of Houston’s market for artists. This conversation proved to be very interesting.

When did you start rapping and when did you decide that you would pursue it seriously?

Maro: I’ve been rapping since high school, I was actually an r & b songwriter. I wrote a song for this group in school called “Passionate Players”, they won a talent show with that song. I used to freestyle in class with a friend of mine. I took it more serious around 2002. I released a underground (screwed) freestyle cd called “Spittin Bars Vol. 1”

How would you describe your style and who would you compare it to?

Maro: My style I feel is uncomparable, meaning I don’t go in and say I want to sound like such and such. But I feel like my style is versatile. I don’t really feel out of my element doing different kinds of songs.

What do you bring to that game? And what do you think the game in general lacks?

Maro: I think the game lacks originality and wordplay these days. Too many people tryna live up to an image of what they think the fans will like, instead of being themselves. Which is pressure to any rap artist, but too many wanna be D-Boys in the game. People gonna always try to find ur resume when u fabricate. I’m not gonna lie, I think Kanye West new album 808’s is genius. I love it, cuz it’s different, and if u been through those things u can relate. He’s wild at time, but he’s still himself.

Being independent, do you think this contributed to you as an artist as a whole? And how?

Maro: I think me being independent is good. I mean I may not be all on BET or in your favorite magazine (Yet lol) I feel like once I drop my album I won’t need a major label behind me. I think with the right marketing and promotions, I should be fine.

Who are your favorite artists?

Maro: Man my favorite artist I have a gang of em. Jay-Z, Pac, Scarface, UGK, Andre 3000, Kanye, Ice Cube, Zro, Jadakiss, Trae, and T.I. I know a lot of rappers say they don’t listen to other people, but I do. I’m a rapper, but I’m still a fan and consumer.

Has there ever been a moment in time that you ever wanted to give up? And what changed your mind and motviated you to stay in the game?

Maro: To be honest with u, this year I had stopped rapping. No new music, no shows no nuthin. Then I get a call from a booking agency about doin paid shows, then I get a call to perform in London at a military base (Thanks to Beatriz, and Jennifer Abrego), doin website interviews, so I’m like man, maybe I need to get back at it, and here I am lol…..

Who have you worked with so far? And who do you desire to work with?

Maro: I haven’t worked with any big name artist, but the guys I work with are hell of talented. Jazz & Vic ,Krumwell (My Brother), Kendro, Wes Coas, Sxyreno Soundz, A.U.G., Supreme, N-Gauge, and C-Tone. I would love to work with Bun B, Zro, Jay-Z, and Andre 3000.

Do you think “Houston” artists have fallen off? And does Houston have the capability to compete with markets such as Atlanta?

Maro: Houston has lost it’s steam cuz the artist left them majors, it was a gift and a curse. Them major were on some B.S. But what I love about my city, is that we grind. So we gon stay relevant regardless. What we lack that Atlanta has is unity. We can’t stay relevant without the unity though. See here u got S.U.C., Swishahouse, and Rap-A-Lot. and everyone else just gets in where they fit in. If u not in they clicked, good luck. I hear some of them say they need new houston artist to step up, but shyt no oen tryna let us in. Radio stations here don’t even barely play our own artist shyt. I hear more Atlanta than I do here. So what I’m gonna do is push my music outside of Houston , and it’ll eventually get back here.

What are some of the projects you are working on? What do you have in the works in the future?

Maro: Wow, I’m recording songs to add to my 2007 mixtape “Next Big Thing” to release in London with unreleased bonus tracks. When I get back it’s grind time, I’ll be finishing up my mixtape “Next Big Thing Vol. 2” and I’m also working on my debut album “The Maro Experience” it’s gonna be bannas, I got Jazz & Vic producing the whole album, they produced “Still Look Good” we tryna get Bun B on the remix hopefully. And I also want to do features and collabs with people who wanna make good music. www.myspace.com/marotheflycat Booking:owmaro@live.com

Maro: Thank you for the interview, I really appreciate it, and to everyone who’s reading this, eartodastreetz.com is one of the hottest websites on the net…Period!!!

Related Eartodastreetz

• Exclusive Interview: R&B Singer Tenin
• Singersroom Presents Acoustic Conversation with R&B Singer Joe
• Buggs Tha Rocka Talks Music and Mission To Reach Not Preach
• Interview: Shaun Boothe Talks Music, Icons & Much More
• Exclusive Interview With R&B Singer Shei Atkins