Behind the Scenes with Powerhouse Vocalist Morgan James
From touring with Prince to launching AND Coffee and the Jazz AND Coffee Escape Festival, Marcus shares his creative drive, lessons learned on the road, and what keeps his passion alive.
Think you’ve seen hustle? Marcus has gone from Prince’s stage to releasing 19 of his own successful albums, plus building a festival, coffee brand, and comic universe. A South Carolina native, Marcus Anderson represents the best of his Carolinas home, redefining artistry, courage and grind, always with a view to give back.
About growing up: “The youngest of seven, I got the sap at the bottom. If you think about a tree, the last person at the bottom, all the content that drips down. From my oldest sibling to me, I got their life experience, with the best of business acumen and entrepreneurship and drive from my dad and mom.”
What you might not know about him: “I’m an introvert. So, before a show, I need that time to center myself and focus, do a prayer, so I can give the best part of me to the people that come.”
Speaking of all his various enterprises: “I love playing music. But I think of it as being creative. Music is one part of that, … but other things pull at me, like animation and film. I did a children’s book this year. Everyone I’ve been around has always done music and business, you can’t separate the two. The more you understand the business, then you think of other ways.”