Producing pioneer
Marlon "Marley Marl" Williams is ready to tell his life story in an
autobiography called "Vapors," a memoir named after the famous Biz Markie
song.
"You know [the book] is like the song. Whatever the song
is about, my book is about," Marley told AllHipHop.com. "It’s about
true things that happened, the ups and downs and episodes [in life]."
"Vapors," from Biz Markie’s 1988 Cold’ Chillin’ album,
Goin’ Off, is a song about standoffish neighborhood people who suddenly
become friendly because of a rapper’s newfound Hip-Hop success. The term also
became common in Hip-Hop vernacular.
Marley Marl hails from New York’s Queensbridge Housing projects,
the largest in the United States.
As a young producer he assembled The Juice Crew, a stable of
now legendary rappers, DJ’s and artists that included Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne
Shante, MC Shan, Biz Markie, Masta Ace and Kool G Rap & DJ Polo.
He first achieved national success in 1984 when he produced
Roxanne Shante’s answer record to UTFO’s "Roxanne, Roxanne."
He then produced one of Hip-Hop’s best known songs, 1987’s "The
Bridge," by MC Shan. The record prompted a response
from KRS-One titled "The Bridge is Over," igniting one of the most
well-known and talked about battles in Hip-Hop history.
Marley Marl, also a co-founder of the legendary Cold Chillin’
label, helped shape Hip-Hop’s sound throughout the end of the 1980’s and early
1990’s, producing such cuts as the legendary song "The Symphony,"
LL Cool J.’s 1990 smash album and Mama Said Knock You Out.
Marley even stepped into the world of R&B when he helped
produce and mix TLC’s 1992 breakout debut, Ooooooohhh…on the TLC Tip.
He still produces records and hosts a radio show in New York
City.
Marley said that he’s already being courted by a pair of publishers
and has been receiving assistance from some high-powered friends in the music
and media industry.
"Wendy Williams (radio and publishing media personality)
is helping me on it," Marley said. "Wendy, you know, she’s kind of
pulling some people in, that’s my girl from back in the day," he continued.
"Me, her, Star (of "The Star & Bucwild" morning show) and
Red Alert, we’ve been there for a minute, the only n***as that really could
truly say we’ve seen a lot in this game. Star’s my people, Wendy’s my people,
and funny thing is that Red Alert (a former rival) is my people. We work together
and make this legacy happen."
"Vapors"
is in its early stages and does not have a release date.