MARVELL UK

MARVELL - Double S, Vertex and Shocka aka Bashir, Jeffrey and Kenneth are three young men hailing from Tottenham, North London. Through a chain of mutual friends, schools and a passion for music they came together to form Marvell (shortened from Marvellous) back in 2008. Since then they have been creating big banging tracks with lyrical content that really packs a punch.



Vertex, the eldest of the three parted from a much larger collective of MC's and brought Double S on board. The missing piece was Shocka, he had originally reached out to Vertex for artwork for his solo mixtape and it was this mixtape that proved to be his ticket into Marvell. An appearance on BBC Hip Hop DJ Semtex's show solidified Marvell, with Vertex and Double S announcing live on air the official line up which included Shocka.



During the Summer of 2010, a UK tour with Chipmunk rocketed Marvell into the British mainstream. Garnering tens of thousands of fans and experiences they are unlikely to ever forget, including a young boy who on meeting Marvell burst into tears, it was the kind of early success that proved they had the talent and the drive to reach new heights as artists. Independent label Risky Roadz witnessed just that, and quickly snapped up Marvell and the deal is proving pivotal in the continuation of their rise into the mainstream.



Marvell exhibits a lyrical ability that stands apart from so many other emerging MC's in the UK. Inspired by the likes of Ma$e, Kano, Dizzee Rascal and Heartless Crew, Marvell have quickly developed their own unique style, including their renowned 3 way freestyles. These freestyles were showcased on BBC Radio1, Tim Westwood's show. They hop, skip and jump over the beat as if their three individual voices are one.



Taking inspiration from their personal experiences growing up both in the UK and in Africa, Double S being Ugandan and Shocka, Nigerian, both spent time at boarding schools in their respective countries. Vertex narrowly missed being educated in Ghana (where his roots are) after misbehaving in school, but his parents opted on a boarding school in the UK. This background presents itself with their impeccable manners, down to earth charm and dedicated pursuit of success.



A T Shirt clothing line, a collaboration with New Era Caps and a fanatical street team only builds the Marvell brand. The added bonus of an exceptional and accomplished video music director in Vertex (responsible for hit videos for artists including Chipmunk, The Noisettes and N-Dubz) makes this trio an unstoppably talented force to be reckoned with.



Marvell bring what is missing from the UK music industry, 'There are so many solo acts, indie bands and singing groups, but nothing like us' Shocka declares. Vertex adds 'The last time the world saw something similar was the Beastie Boys'.



Life could have been very different for Marvell if their ambitions before music had kicked in. Vertex nearly joined London Towers Basketball team, Shocka an avid footballer trialled for Crystal Palace and Double S could have turned his hand to IT and design. Thankfully these possibilities were swept aside and what we are left with is Marvell Music, a sound, a movement and a trio whose voices will be heard everywhere and will not be quickly forgotten.