Edward “MARRSHUN” Preston shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Edward “MARRSHUN” , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of the relationship I’ve cultivated with God. When the guests depart, the performer exits the stage, and the show fades to silence—I look around and find only one presence remaining: self. It’s in that quiet, sacred space where my greatest ideas are born and deep healing begins.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let me tell you who I am—and that is who you’ll believe I am—and yet, that’s not who you’ll ever fully know. I am Edward “Marrshun” Preston: artist, author, architect of culture, and steward of spirit.
I craft with rhythm and rebellion, remixing silence into speech and struggle into symphonies. My performances aren’t just shows—they’re callings. And when the crowd fades, when the lights dim, I listen. That’s when divine whispers meet the blueprint of healing. I don’t just tell stories—I open ancestral archives and invite you to listen between the lines.
As an author, I write in the margins of the mainstream, where sacred memory meets radical imagination. I pen for those who were told their names didn’t belong on marquees or book covers. Spoiler alert: they do.
My brand is more than aesthetic—it’s the vibe. It’s resistance in couture, reverence in cadence, and revolution with receipts of art. I’m not building a platform—I’m reclaiming agency. So, if you’re wondering who I am, trust that I’m always more than the page, the stage, or the name on the flyer. I am a pioneer of downtown Houston’s modern art and music scene. I have been partying and clubbing since I was 13 years old problematic af yes! I had a fake id , but thats another story. You should read my book “Dear Artist: From A Lion’s Den To A Pack Of Wolves” and performing since I came out the womb. Real Talk! I was born from Icons. My Mother Debora “Lil’ Bobo” or “Rocky” was thee hairstylist to anyone who was somebody during the late 80’s , 90’s and early 2000’s She is a boss to say the least she is retired now. My father … well let’s just save that for another story too just know he is a man of many faces and many ladies. I am REAL ART walking, talking, breathing ART and there is nothing I can do about it , but authentically me and unapologetically free.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Before Confidence, There Was War
Before I became the confident person I am today, I fought every single day.
Outside the home.
Inside the home.
In the neighborhood.
In daycare.
Even in my own bedroom.
I was tiny. Dark-skinned. Wore glasses. Dressed preppy. Kids were cruel.
I was always the smartest, the fastest, the best—so I was hyperactive, competitive, relentless.
But my small stature intimidated others, and that made me a target.
Bullied in every space I entered, tried and tested in every setting.
Inside, I harbored traumas darker than anyone knew. Abuse I now speak about in my latest literary work.
On the outside, everything looked pristine. But inside—I bled.
I cried out, unseen and unheard, wondering if I was ever loved. Ever worthy. Ever destined for greatness.
Sometimes I dreamed of being born in another era, another place.
But one day, I stood up for myself—and I paid a heavy price.
From that moment, I transformed: ruthless, arrogant, cold.
I became the villain they feared. And I stayed that way… until death came close.
I was in a coma once, suspended between worlds.
Those who loved me only loved parts—others they couldn’t accept.
Still, I was loyal to the core. Selective, but unwavering.
My art remained my anchor. My mother—she always knew.
She saw my future clearly while others only guessed.
She stayed quiet, watching it all unfold.
My grandparents, too—they taught me the foundation of everything I know.
I knew I was born to influence. But I feared the throne.
So I moved through shadows.
Today, I fear nothing—not the living, not the dead.
I trust only God.
I am no longer hidden. No longer silent.
I am the light born from my own darkness.
So if you see me in public, don’t be afraid to speak.
But please—respect the space I claim. That space was earned. And it’s part of God’s plan.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There was time I stopped using my voice and it took me years to reclaim my vocal cords, but most importantly my confidence. I would tell the younger self. NO MATTER WHAT NEVER STOP SINGING, YELLING, SPEAKING, AND USING YOUR VOICE AS A TOOL AND keep fighting young Mars you will need the strength.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe God is a woman. But hey maybe I am wrong, but just maybe I am right.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
There are lights on everywhere inside of me, but in matters of the heart the lights are off. I have been heartbroken so many times I pray that one day I can love someone else genuinely without conditions. It takes a special human to love someone made like me you almost have to be demigod to stand next to me as my partner without going from tall to small.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smartguytakeover.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marrshun/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qiyQZPt1HM
