Black Voices

Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Toschkannie Arnold Sophomore Marc Payne is pursuing a career as a lyricist

USC is known for its abundance of intelligent and athletically gifted students. This semester, Black Voices is spotlighting three talented Trojans who have become campus celebrities because of their outstanding work and determination.

Part one of this series is a profile of Marcus Payne.

Lyricist, producer and poet Marcus Payne-who prefers his stage name Marc Payne-plans to reach the top of the music industry.

A sophomore at USC, he hosts and headlines numerous campus events. His first album grabbed the attention of his peers, who are now devoted fans.

"His music represents a depth that I would not expect from someone of my age," said sophomore Oby Owu. Profound lyrics make Payne stand out as an artist. He is recording a second album (release date to be announced), from which he debuted a video for the single "Haters Make the World Go Round."

With such achievements Marc Payne is deserving of the title "Up and Coming."

Hometown:
Los Angeles, CA

Major:
Music Industry

When did you decide you would become a rapper?

"I started making a lot of beats and I was selling beats to some rappers. Then I realized I could probably rap just as well […] as they could. Then I really started rapping. My point in rapping […] is just to tell everyone in the world what I'm going through […]. A lot of my friends are like, 'that's dope because you have a voice for me, you get to spit about things that I don't get to talk about and I don't get to tell people'."


What gives you inspiration to write?

"Life makes you think of lyrics. There are so many things that happen in my life, and so many things that happen to the people in my circle. […] So right now I'm on college stuff, because all my people are in college […]. I just want to be a voice for the people. I feel like music is so powerful and it's so strong and people really listen to your words. It's one way you can communicate with anyone."


Can you play any instruments?

"I've been playing the piano and the keyboard for as long as I can remember. My grandmother put me on that back in the day […]. That kind of developed into production and I started just becoming a producer."

Continued...

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