Today we’d like to introduce you to Marshall Camp.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
There was never a moment where music wasn’t in my life. From 6-years-old singing “My Girl” at restaurants for tips – to – watching Michael Jackson videos on repeat until I perfected the moonwalk, I always had a passion for the culture of music, specifically Hip-Hop. I began rapping & break-dancing as early as I can remember. Twelve years old I joined a local Nashville crew, The DeCyphered Minds. They offered me a real outlet to harness my energy towards something positive while gaining wisdom from men who had life-experience to offer a 12-year-old with no vision. Surrounded by a diverse culture, my desire for rapping, alongside break-dancing, increased tremendously.
One night, at 13 years old, I went downtown to enter a Hip-Hop competition. They had battles for every aspect of Hip Hop: BBoying, MCing, DJing, and Graffiti Art. I entered the MC battle just to see what would happen. After each round the crowd cheered me on to the next, eventually winning me the battle and receiving recognition from Nashville’s 101.1 the Beat Jams. I tell this story because that’s the moment that solidified my desire to do music above all else.
With influences such as Tupac, Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, and Mos Def, I strove to make a mark in music by perfecting my craft as they did. Skipping ahead many years, I moved to Houston to work as an apprentice under engineer and producer, Bass Heavy. As I continued to grow in my craft, God brought me to my knees and gave me a desire that superseded my desire for music… Him.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Looking back my avenues of choice were like a run-down house that had been painted on the outside to look good. I had a very outgoing personality growing up, but that only masked a very scared, confused and insecure young man seeking to fit-in. After being arrested in 8th grade for making counterfeit money, I found myself hit with the reality that my decisions have consequences & they can either be positive or negative. Music became my positive outlet. It allowed me to channel my anger & frustration, as well as my depression and fears into something real that gave me a voice.
Prior to surrendering my life to Christ, I was an addict, running to any and everything that would numb my pain. But God’s grace became the beat to my drum. I started writing lyrics that reflected this reality. I had worked long hours in the studio and would use it as a discipleship opportunity with other musicians, but even then, I was always swayed by the vision of popularity and fame. I had to let go and know that I am not the Hero of this story, Jesus is.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
I have a desire to implement change within our communities. I see many cracks within the system we have today, where it becomes very easy to look over the ones suffering in our own backyard. As I currently lead worship at a local church is the Near Northside of Houston, Kerusso Grace, I get the opportunity to walk life-on-life with people who do not look like me or act like me or talk like me, and yet we are not so different.
I work as a Hope Navigator for a non-profit organization called H.O.P.E. Haven. My job is to walk with the homeless from crisis situations to a place of stability and self-sufficiency in their lives. It burns a fire in my heart seeing men and women, on the streets, who feel they are forgotten or have given up, come to know the loving-kindness of God. There is nothing more beautiful.
I am also a part of a three-man group called Yahweh Collective. My fellow band-mates, Praying Over Problems (POP) and Keenan Wilson, have completely different backgrounds than I do. This enables us to go into every corner and crevasse of our community to share our music and connect with the people. The visual for our single “You Say” goes through the day of a young homeless man seeing the beauty of God work within our city.
I always say, “Music is an avenue for change.” It breaks down every barrier and cultural boundary that exists and cuts straight to the soul. I, Marshall Camp, am an instrument and my life and testimony are the strings. I turn to my guitar to communicate what’s in my heart to those who are willing to listen. I want to go into the prisons, the hood, the suburbs, the churches, the streets, the ally ways, and the underpasses to share my life with others.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Weakness is an essential tool for success. When we are weak, then we are strong.
Insecurity is the fear of letting others see your weaknesses. If we are seeking the approval of others, we will base our security on how others view us, but when we are open and transparent, our vision cannot be tainted with fear.
An untainted vision is success even if the results aren’t what you expected. Seek to let your guard down and follow your passion; that which you are willing to suffer for.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tonecrafters.com/artist-yahwehcollective
- Email: yahwehcollective@gmail.com
- Instagram: YahwehCollective / MarshallCamp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yahwehcollect
- Twitter: YahwehCollect
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