Mars Is Back! Horrorcore EP Murder Out Now!
Mars Gives Fans What They Want! The Murder Ep! Available Now!
Mars is currently one of the most talked about artists in the underground scene. From his veering into mainstream territory to his dark and grim tracks. But horrorcore fans will be happy to hear that the brand new Murder EP is available now on all streaming platforms. But it gets even better. If you remember the Zodiac Mixtape, the Murder EP has some of that similar sound and vibe. And fans of Mars will celebrate when they hear it.
Before we get into the review, I want you all to know that I have high hopes for Mars. And since I’m reassigned to the mainstream side of the industry, I strongly believe Mars is breaking into the mainstream. Which means, his music falls in my jurisdiction. So, without further ado lets give you a glimpse into The Murder EP!
Artwork And Tracklist
One of the most important aspects of this album is in the visuals. In the album art, Mars and Koshir are emerged from a pentagram. And the background of the dark woods and women being tied up with Mars holding a knife. Essentially, this is the perfect representation of what you’re about to listen to. However, the tone of the album is mellow instrumentally. You could dance to the tracks and sing along with the vile lyrics. An interesting duality to say the least.
As far as the track-listing is concerned, it’s well paced and perfectly assembled. Each song fades into one another smoothly and it certainly maintains an EP feel to it. Fans of mainstream music will truly appreciate this album and horrorcore fans will bump this album as well. Ten songs and I’ve made the decision to discuss a few of them in detail with Mars himself. Before his new music, my favorite album was Mars Attacks. I bought two copies, brand new sealed for a lot of money. Because it was and still is one of my favorite of albums of all time. And this Murder EP is neck and neck. I asked Mars about his shift into his new style of music and what the cause of it was. Here’s what he has to say on the subject.
“Just growth. Being more comfortable with my thoughts, and voice, and content and direction over the years allowed me to take what I was doing and polish it. But on The Murder EP I was mostly picking out of a folder of beats Bvne had. And adapting to them. And that was the fun part. Whiskey had a country style sound to it. So I had to think to myself when writing… how would Mars represent himself as an artist on a song like this without changing my content. It’s all horrorcore. I just think I find it to be more fun learning how to implement it into things that people wouldn’t expect. “
Christine Track 9
This was the first song that came up on my Spotify when I was checking out the album. And at first glance, I was expecting this to be a nod to the Stephen King novel. So, to make sure I was right (and I wasn’t) I asked Mars what the song Christine was all about. And this is what he had to say:
“I know a million Christines in the world. In the days of Craigslist I used to rock with some of the girls I name at the end and made money together. You’d be surprised how many men are quick to spend their money on women without getting much in return. Let alone skipping the bullshit and getting right into it. Christine is about a girl that already understands that. 925 is my area code. So, I thought it would be funny to make a song with a phone number in it like Honey Peeps, or Jenny.”
For me, its kind of a rendition to the song Girlfriend from School House Glock. And that’s another favorite of mine. Even though the album has mixed reviews, I thought it was catchy and clever. So, to hear this and the story that goes with it, it certainly echoes the artwork. Which only made this song more glorious and disturbing, which I like a lot.
Cum Closer/Collect Call Featuring Koshir
Now, I really like this aspect of Murder. Koshir is by far one of the best artists in the industry. And him and Mars are perfect together as far as musical chemistry and balance. Mars, throughout the album keeps his horrorcore roots. Whereas, Koshir keeps to his sexually explicit material that reminds me of one of my favorite tracks, Freak Night featuring Twisted Insane. So, to have the two bring their absolute best on one track is a real treat for someone like me. Both with the material and capability to break into mainstream water. While keeping it true to the underground. However, Koshir featuring on Murder has a lot of hardships and a story worth examining. I’ll let Mars explain it.
“Koshir was locked up right before he recorded this. Then he got out and recorded Cum Closer and right after the FBI game and got him. This is the last stuff he’s recorded and he’s facing 10 years. His whole story is fucked up. He’s such a good person and it all got fucked up basically because his own mother had it out for him and her kids from a young age. I got to see him pretty much ruin his life. I hate to see how everything ended up. That call was made from federal holding about a week ago. We threw it on there last minute.”
Never Get Rich
According to Mars, this is the best track on the album. And for good reason. As I was listening to it, my mind went into the direction of sarcasm. However, I was wrong and Mars explains the meaning and inspiration behind this song. And I will also add this song is my second favorite on the album. Especially after hearing the true purpose and nature of Never Get Rich.
“If I had to pick my favorite it would be Never Get Rich. When your an artist making moves other rappers will always ask you for the formula to get to do what you get to do or have what you have. I’m always the first to help, give advice, or guide the right people. But more often then not people will do the opposite and not understand why it’s not working for them? Or it will get too hard and they will just quit, or talk shit about the stuff you do because they think they are better but are mad because your bigger. Sometimes you’ll line somebody up with opportunities to make money and when they get it, they will forget about who put them position. The song is about that. It’s the first song I recorded for the EP with Bvne.”
And I can vouch for this. In fact, a lot of my readers and followers on social media know that Mars was my mentor for quite sometime. Not to mention, he is the first music artist to give me a chance in doing what I do. So, when he says “I’m the first to help, give advice and guide the right people.” I am proud to say I am one of the ones he gave an opportunity to. And I’m forever grateful.
The Words Of Murder
After listening to this album and asking him for verification, I had a couple more questions I needed the answers to. And while we discuss the Murder EP, I figure its a good time as any to take a glimpse into his evolution. And what made him change his style. While I have already discussed this in previous articles, I want up and coming artists to understand how much the industry has changed. So, I asked Mars himself for his input.
“Back when I first started putting music out and having a buzz, one album was enough to hype you for two years and you can tour based off of one project for a long time. Now with the transfer of information and the way the internet moved it seems like you have to be steady in your releases and consistently making notable moves to keep relevant in the eyes of your target market. The way I’m working now, just cranking out singles and albums is really how I should have been even back then. I feel like to maintain a foothold in what I do, is to keep giving my fans new music to listen to. More photos to look at, more interviews to read or listen to. I like that the lazy people get left behind. And the hustlers earn their spot like always. I just want to work twice as hard as everyone else. Out of necessity, passion, and the demand. Long are the days of spending all year hyping one album. I’ve learned to hype my brand.”
So, what’s next for Mars? Will we see a sequel album, much like Eminem did for MMLP2?
“I feel like my next album which drops next month, is a nod to my Zodiac mixtape. I feel like The Murder EP ties both of them together. The Zodiac killer was a serial killer from the Bay Area that was never caught. Walking the very same streets as I do. So I view myself as a masked serial killer rapper that’s never been caught. and my albums are the clues that I leave behind. I think when other artists do it, it usually ruins it. Marshal Mather’s LP2 sucked. Leave that alone Eminem! But you know, I’m sitting on 50 unheard beats from School House Glocks producer Bumpus. Stuff made for me or Sugafree that haven’t been used. But I don’t think I would do a sequel… but I am thinking about re-releasing it with a bonus disc, the after school special. Everyone wants that on hard copy. So I want to give the people what they want and get more music out there for the fans without ruining what is already a good thing on its own.”
Speaking of Zodaic Mixtape and the connection to the Murder EP, We hadn’t seen or heard much from Enermy. And he’s on a lot of the back up vocals and singer for the album. So, my curiosity gets the best of me and I have to know where he’s been.
“Enermy was an amazing talent. But he fucked up everything for himself by being cocky before he earned the right to be. I forget who introduced me to him but he was a kid who stuttered when he talked. But when he sang it was amazing. So I gave him a chance to come in and sing some hooks. And he was grateful.
He started working with some old guy who took him under his wing and before Zodiac was released this random old white man calls me and starts demanding thousands of dollars from the CD sales that didn’t even happen yet on behalf of Enermy Jean. I told him to suck my dick. Later on EJ hit me up and asked if he could go on stage for me and apologized for the old man. I told him it was all good. About a month before I gave him my showtape to practice with all of the lyrics typed out just for him.
At that point I was performing the same show tape all year so I was already out doing it solo but I thought it would be cool if he re-did Bloody Valentines live, because the show was a Bay Area horror valentines show. I ended up selling the show out. He asked if he could bring his two friends onto the guest list and I said yes. Me and my assistant Whitey were out every day dropping flyers off at every liquor store, gas station, smoke shop and all that every day in the Central Valley and every city in the Bay Area. Promoting the fuck out of it online.
He shows up with his headphones and is practicing while we waited the whole night to go on. He didn’t practice the show tape until that day. It was obvious. I sort of knew that was going to happen so DJ Mark 7 l, my tour DJ at the time already knew my set so I gave him a mic to hype too. We fuckin rocked that shit so hard! EJ did do bloody valentines and it was great. For the rest of my set? He just yelled wooo! Every few seconds.
After the show he asked me for a few hundred bucks for performing. I’m like blood. You only brought two people to see you! And you made me put them on the guest list. You sold zero tickets because you were here. This is your first show lil homie. Kung Fu Vampire got paid. Hopsin played for free to be a part of this show. He was one of those kinds of people I’m taking about in Never Get Rich and it’s a shame. He had so much potential. He actually fell out with everyone he’s worked with for that kind of stuff. But I met some cool people through him that ai still fuck with. Shout out to Rich Da Ripper.”
The Murder EP is available now! Click here to listen for free! And make sure you’re staying right here for more exclusive content! And its all right here on RoxxxTV!
