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Groovyie Interview: Positive, Patient, and Ready for a Pivotal Summer

Updated: May 3, 2021

In 2020, Marcus Garcia adopted the moniker Groovyie and decided to go all in on his craft. After releasing a few singles, he dropped his debut project Celebrate in September. On this 13-track “mixtape” the Inland Empire native showcased his distinct blend of funk and hard-hitting percussion, allowing him to introduce Groovyie.

While Celebrate was a solid project, the release of the single “Sierra Ave” feat. Ian Kelly was exactly what Groovyie needed to break through. On this track his lyricism and production is enhanced, giving listeners a song that will be on repeat all year. After seeing the immense improvement in quality from Celebrate to “Sierra Ave”, we can’t help but have high expectations for his upcoming releases. We recently caught up with Groovyie to speak about his musical roots, upcoming plans, and recent collaboration with Ian Kelly of Jamla Records.


How has life during the pandemic been for you?

I'm a pretty positive person, I tend to look at things with a glass half-full mentality. Honestly, the pandemic has forced people to humble themselves and figure out what is really important in life. It has given me an opportunity to take and break and figure out what I want to do with my life. Before the pandemic I was working non-profits and 9am-5pm jobs, that is just not for me. So, this last year has allowed me to stop and think about what I really want to do. During the pandemic was also when I became an “official artist”, so it has been a blessing for me.


Have you always wanted to be an artist?

The thought [about being an artist] has always been around, there has been a recent transition from not taking it seriously to being all in. I’ve always been a writer, I just didn't necessarily know that I was writing lyrics or music. I was just writing to express. After some time and being in so many different circles with artists, I can now understand what they are talking about in the writing, recording, and production process. I would say I've always had a brain for it, I just had that thing where I didn’t think that I was a “real artist”. The biggest thing that has changed is how I view myself and that has allowed me to take music more seriously.


When did you start rapping?

I started rapping the lyrics to my favorite songs as a kid. During our youth we all knew the hook to our favorite song, but I really knew the lyrics. Like, I looked up “The World Is Yours” by Nas in third grade and was like what does this mean, like what is all this wordplay. So, I've always been into rap and writing but I didn't actually start performing until like high school at the lunch table or whatever.


I bet you had some fire freestyles at the lunch table.

Not at all bro! I say it all the time, I can't freestyle. I’m really not the freestyle kind of guy but I can write my ass off. I can structure everything well and one of the biggest compliments I've been getting is I don't have any filler lines. A lot of times as writers we know the end point and we play to get there, but I don't really take any bars off.

You mentioned listening to Nas at a young age, who were your musical inspirations?

I break it down to rapping and producing. Producing wise, my favorite producer is definitely Just Blaze. How he can combine orchestra sounds, trumpets and a lot of brass instruments and mash it with some hard-hitting drums, to me there is nothing more beautiful than the energy he brings. So, Just Blaze. Also Pharell, both as a writer and a producer. 9th Wonder is also a huge inspiration and it was such an honor to work with someone on his label [Ian Kelly]. In terms of rapping, Nas is my muse, my idol, and everything to me. I listen to every single album and song. I was not the biggest J. Cole fan until I started taking my writing more seriously. Writing wise he is just a genius, he is really next level. So, I would say Cole, Kendrick, all your usual suspects but Nas is definitely number one.


You released your debut project 'Celebrate' in September of 2020, were you happy with the final product?

I'm happy with it for sure. It was what it needed to be, but I would say I look at it now as a mixtape. Just because I didn't know anything about marketing, publishing rights, copyrights, and the roots of it all. I would say the project that I'm working on now is an actual debut album [shooting to release it in June of July], but Celebrate was definitely a test run. It was my first time having anything mixed and mastered, as well as the first time I have produced a project. It definitely did what it needed to do, but i have moved past it at this point.


Do you have a favorite song off of 'Celebrate'?

Probably “Block Star”. That was definitely my favorite beat at the time. As a creative you always have those moments when you are like I’m not shit...this is terrible, then any other moment you are like I’m a fucking genius. When I produced “Block Star” I was like this is next level. That was a great time just making it honestly.

How was collaborating with Ian Kelly on the single “Sierra Ave”?

My career has been escalating quickly, especially behind the scenes and I tell people all the time that bro this shit happens off of DMs. I got Ian Kelly [Jamla Records] on my shit and we are good friends now, all off of a DM. I heard Zion V: The Ballad Of Charles Douthit by 9th Wonder and I was like who is this guy that gets to rap on the first five songs off 9th Wonder’s new album. It turned out to be Ian Kelly. So I DMed him and gave him props on his performance on the album and I eventually asked for a verse. He was so cool about it and was down to do a music video, so we flew him out for the video.


The video is so fresh! A great visual to go along with your most impressive song yet.

It was a ball. We did it in like six hours, which was tough. Ian didn't even remember his damn lyrics but we pulled through. My man Criss just graduated from UCLA and he is a mastermind with the camera.

You mentioned dropping an album in June or July, what are some other goals for the rest of the year?

I haven't ever performed a big show, so definitely excited for shows where I can play my new music. Honestly, I want meetings with different labels. Right now, it's like I’m working in this studio where Kings Disease [2020 Nas Album] was recorded, Anti by Rihanna, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. You come into this studio and it’s platinum, platinum, platinum. Being in this environment and understanding the level of the music we are making is hopefully going to create opportunities to speak to some labels.


Would you consider staying independent, or is signing with a label definitely something you want to do?

It depends on what you are trying to get out of music. I make music because I genuinely love music. There is something about being in this environment, creating, and working with people like Ian Kelly. The backend of it is just a result, I'm not trying to get rich off of music. We all know artists don't eat off of their music. For me, the goal is to live off of what I'm doing but I'm fine with taking a big check and investing that in restaurants, barbershops, community centers, and stocks. I can eat off of those things and that will allow me to do the things that I want to do with music.


The thing about being signed is that when it comes to getting features and being able to record in a nice studio it really is your ticket in. I actually had a conversation with Vince Staples’ manager because we were going to get him for the first feature. Initially, Vince said yes but the manager wanted to double the price because I'm independent. You have to think about it as far as marketing, I'm not Def Jam, I'm not Motown, I don't know how to market as well as they do. I'm in it for the music but I gotta be a businessman too. So to answer your question, I would definitely sign with a label if the circumstances were fitting.


Follow Groovyie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groovyie/?hl=en


 
 
 

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