Marz (rapper)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (June 2007) |
Marz, born Zlatko Hukic, is an American rap artist from Chicago, Illinois. He is known primarily for his record label "BILLION DOLLAR BALLERS".
Contents |
[edit] Early History
Marz (aka Zlatko Hukic) started in music working as a tech in a Chicago recording studio (Chicago Trax), where he worked for various acts, including Ministry. Marz later played guitar for Ministry during the "Dark Side of the Spoon" era; after Al Jourgensen heard some of his riffing.[citation needed] Marz also played with Ministry on the "Sphinctour" live DVD, and did some production work for Peter Gabriel.[citation needed]
Marz started using the chops he built in the studio to produce an ep/demo, which won him a contract with E-Magine Records, with whom he released the album "Lung Fu Mo She". Tracks from this album were featured in a TV ad for the movie "Catwoman", in MTV’s “The Real World”, and included on MTV & WWE’s “Tough Enough 2” Soundtrack.
In 2000-2001, Marz performed two nationwide tours with Insane Clown Posse on the “Bizaar Bizzar Tour” and produced hits with Dark Lotus on their debut release, Tales from the Lotus Pod. Marz received much admiration from the group's "juggalo" fanbase and is, to this day, self-proclaimed as "The Real Dark Lotus" and "the Real Sixth Joker's Card."[citation needed] Marz later severed ties with this group, which has been labeled by some journalists as an "anti-prosperity cult".
Marz toured with Korn in 2002 after joining their record label, Elementree, to begin work on his second album, and performed on Korn's "Pop Sux" Tour. During this time, Marz recorded collaborations with Jonathan Davis and Swizz Beatz. The album, "Gorilla Pimpin'", was released independently by Marz. The song "Cut Throat" featured Jonathan Davis and Marz saw over 50,000 downloads of the music video.[citation needed] Marz also received personal approval from Ted Nugent to sample “Stranglehold” for this track.[citation needed] Marz also opened for Snoop Dogg's clothing launch during this period.[citation needed]
In 2004, Marz started his own record label Billion Dollar Ballers Entertainment. He released TGZ Nation The Mixtape under this label.
In 2005, Marz continued to build his label and solidify his presence within the Chicago rap scene.[citation needed] He released his 3rd album Against All Odds, which was placed heavily in network TV shows and blockbuster movies[citation needed], including CBS's Without A Trace[citation needed] and "Shark",[citation needed] FX's Nip/Tuck,[citation needed] multiple shows on ESPN networks,[citation needed] and within Xbox video game Full Auto.[citation needed] At this time he also recorded collaborations with French International Rap Group Enhancer.[citation needed] In 2005, Marz also performed at Power 92 Chicago’s Summer Fest.
[edit] The Billion Dollar Baller Show
In 2006, Marz teamed up with Fearless Radio to launch his own radio show with B.D.B. labelmates Pack and DJ E.L.I. The Billion Dollar Baller Show quickly climbed to the top of the charts and reached the status of the #1 Internet radio show in the nation.[citation needed] The show was a mix of raw comedy, the hottest up-and-coming hip-hop, reggaeton and R&B music, and interviews with the most popular breaking artists.[citation needed]
[edit] MARZ Presents: Grind Music The Movement
In 2007, Marz released his 4th album, Marz Presents: Grind Music The Movement. This album contains multiple collaborations with Chicago's best hip-hop talent[citation needed], including BDB labelmates Pack, Redbone & Chrissy Feliciano; Rope 30, Big EZ & Epidemik (108 Records); Sawbuc (Phiranna Records); Chi-ILL (Torture Chamber Records); John Blu; Heata; and Trinity.
The first single on the album, "Nawww", features "Block CEOs", a Chicago group which Marz put together. This group is considered to be "Chicago's NWA",[citation needed] and is quickly rising to the top as they continue to produce powerful street anthems.[citation needed] Group members are Rope 30, Big EZ and Sonny Black of 108 Records, Chi-ILL and Henny B of Torture Chamber Records, and Marz and Pack of Billion Dollar Ballers Ent. Block CEOs did a video for the song "Nawww", which overwhelmingly won first place in a video contest on Music Nation.[citation needed]
Marz has recently written and recorded several songs for UFC cagefighters,[citation needed] and performed for the entrance of GFC (Gracie Fighting Championships) star Thomas Deney which was broadcast on Pay-Per-View.[citation needed] Marz also had a recent appearance in Twista’s new video "Mami."[citation needed]
Grind Music is currently being placed heavily in multiple network TV shows, blockbuster movies and ads.[citation needed]
[edit] Discography
- Lung Fu Mo She LP (2000)
- Gorilla Pimpin LP (2003)
- TGZ Nation: The Mixtape(2004)
- Against All Odds LP (2005)
- Marz Presents Grind Music The Movement (2007)
- Grind Music 2.0 (2008)
[edit] Featured In
- Ministry - Dark Side of the Spoon (electronics & guitar, 1999)
- Psychopathic Records 2001 Sampler (vocals, 2001)
- Dark Lotus - Tales From The Lotus Pod (vocals, 2001)
- Various Artists - WWE Tough Enough, Vol. 2 (vocals, 2002)
- Various Artists - Heavy Hittaz Mixtape (vocals in "Driven", 2004)
- Freaks - Cadillacs & Battle Raps (vocals in "Lil Mama", 2008)
