In the current economic climate we’re living in, having multiple hustle is a must. Just ask Nicholas Woods, a lyricist from Chicago’s south side.
Better known to his fans as Diverse Marley, he lives up to his moniker. He writes, draws, runs recording sessions, shoots and edits video. He also dabbles in art too. According to the Chicagoan, his name diverse was given to him because he has the ability to make it happen in the most extreme scenarios. He was homeless for more than two years. Always having a talent on the microphone and now having shelter, Diverse has used his gifting to rise above his situation and become an influential player in the Chicago hip-hop scene.
Check Out Diverse Marley’s Never Change
Diverse Marley’s journey in hip hop began when he started freestyling with his friends for fun. Like most MC’s his friends noticed his ability and encouraged him to take it more seriously. He recorded songs to industry beats in his bedroom and posted them on Facebook just to get feedback from his peers. It was fun and he got constructive criticism. Rhyming on the net became an outlet for him after he lost his uncle to cancer in 2008.
“He was like a father and it crushed me,” Diverse Marley told The Source. “But music helped that.”
After his uncle’s death, he went even harder and started a six year journey of boot camp. He put together mixtapes and sold them on the streets of Chi Town to make a name for himself. In 2011, he starting making songs to original beats. During that process, he discovered Soundclick. Around that same time, Diverse Marley was kicked out of his house and was living in a garage.
Don’t get it twisted though, that situation didn’t discourage him. It only made him work harder. “I let it fuel my fire,” he said. That motivation allowed him to start his ABK Series in 2012. Instead of simply pushing himself on the mixtape, he collaborated with local Chicago Dj’s Dj V Dub and Dj Victorious. “It was a lot more advanced than my previous work,” he said.
After Volumes 1 and 2, a family friend, Ted Debe, noticed his dedication and not only gave him a label to call home but an actual place to live, which ironically was a recording studio. The hunger for more was there and soon after moving in to his new digs, he was in the studio alone and made an entire mixtape titled ABK Volume 2.5. He followed that up with ABK Volume 3: Laughing At My Enemies, making that four mixtapes he put out that year.
Check Out Diverse Marley’s We Up
Living up to his Diverse name, Diverse Marley capitalized off of the buzz of his name and music success in the streets by starting a t-shirt line called Lame Apparel. L-A-M-E is an acronym that stands for, Laughing At My Enemies. “2013 was a year that I used to network, build relationships and drop visuals from volume 3 which built my buzz,” said Diverse Marley.
Check It Out
He’s laughing now. Last year, he performed at Slum Fest, a St. Louis based music festival. After Slumfest, he dropped singles from his current ABK Volume 3.5 project. which lead up to the debut of the entire mixtape. On the latest tape, he ended up linking with Dj Hustlenomics, a Dj that broke in Chief Keef, Spenzo and many more.
Diverse Marley recently caught up with The Source and gave us his two cents. Check it out:
The Source: What gives you the most joy in what you do?
Diverse Marley: Being able to have a platform to tell my story, relate with others who listen and possibly change someone’s outlook on life.
The Source: What inspires you?
Diverse Marley: My family, friends and the positive feedback I gain from the listeners.
The Source: What new projects do you have brewing?
Diverse Marley: I’m currently pushing my latest project, ABK Volume 3.5: LOUD, which dropped in March and also building on my follow up project.
The Source: Biggest influences?
Diverse Marley: The people around me and some of the legends in Hip Hop like 2 Pac, Biggie, Jay Z and Kanye West.
The Source: What makes you different?
Diverse Marley: I stay away from the norm, I like to push the envelope and do things that the majority isn’t doing.
The Source: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Diverse Marley: I see myself being a mogul, a business man, something more than just a rap artist. Owning my own label, clothing lines and video production company. Taking care of my family while doing what I love.
Make sure to follow Diverse Marley on Twitter @DiverseMarley. Download his ABK Volume 3.5 on DatPif by clicking CLICKING HERE
