From 2005 to the present, Marlon Daito, aka Marlon D has made music consistently. In 2020 alone, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Marlon D independently released four mixtapes and a digital album. He is one of the hardest working Hip Hop artists you may have never heard of from Oxnard, CA. And with the launch of his new podcast in September 2020, MC Marlon D shows no signs of stopping, no matter what global pandemic comes his way.

Daito shares with us a little about his Filipino-American roots; his musical inspiration; how he balances his 9-to-5 with being an independent artist; and the impacts of COVID-19. Happy Discoveries.

SolShock: What comes first for Marlon D, music or writing?

Marlon D: I write rhymes everyday, with or without a beat. But when it comes to making albums, I definitely look for certain beats to craft the sound of the album. And then I write rhymes to that.

SolShock: Would you still be the same artist if you were from somewhere other than Oxnard?

Marlon D: No, I would not be the same if I wasn’t from Oxnard. Everything from Stones Throw Records to the next generation of artists from my city that came after them definitely shaped me to this day.

SolShock: What’s the one thing from your childhood that plays a part in your music?

Marlon D: My family introduced me to music early. From Elvis to The Beatles and Jackson 5. My cousins were DJs so they introduced me to hip-hop. I’m a 90’s kid, so everything you remember about hip-hop in the 90’s, I listen to that. Everything from Death Row Records, to the Wu-Tang Clan to A Tribe Called Quest, everything that Rawkus Records put out.

SolShock: Does Filipino culture influence your music or you as an artist? Do you consider yourself a Filipino artist?

Marlon D: Being a Filipino that lived in the Philippines ’til I was 10 years old, the Catholic religion is just in me. And I feel like my spirituality comes out in my music a lot. I consider myself a Filipino-American artist because I’ve been in the US for 26 years. Although I came as an immigrant, I have adapted to the American ways.

SolShock: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Marlon D: I draw inspiration from life, this crazy f*d up world we live in, all the deaths that have been happening around me, and producers who are always giving me beats. I’m aware of my mortality and I’m inspired knowing the fact that my time is limited on Earth and I want to spend the rest of my life being creative.

SolShock: What artists/bands do you listen to the most?

Marlon D: I’ve always been a MF DOOM fan, but his death made me revisit his catalogue all over again. I listen to a lot of Nas, Dilated Peoples, and I’m always tuned in to anything coming out that is fresh and dope.

SolShock: Tell us about your favorite Marlon D album and why?

Marlon D: Act 2 is my latest album and it came out in August 2020. Every album that I make means a lot to me. They’re all equally important because each album has helped me grow as an artist. Act 2 stands out to me because I was definitely involved in the production and I was very hands on with the samples that I chose for this album.

SolShock: How did the COVID pandemic change your recording and creative process?

Marlon D: All I did in 2020 was record and release music. I recorded about 100 songs. The best 20 songs made the album and the other songs that didn’t make the album were spread out in four different mixtapes. So that’s a total of 5 projects. Lately, recording a lot of songs and recording as much as I can gives me the chance to pick the best songs. And I feel like even if the songs didn’t make the albums, I feel like it’s not time wasted because I’m constantly practicing and working on my craft.

SolShock: What had the most impact in your plans for this year?

Marlon D: 2020 definitely cancelled all my shows as a theater actor and as a hip-hop artist. But I was fortunate enough to still be featured on other people’s podcasts to promote myself as a hip-hop artist and to promote my albums. And all this time left in my hands, I decided to start my own podcast. I’m going to spend 2021 promoting Act 2 [the album] and making new music. Most likely, everything I make in 2021 will come out in 2022.

SolShock: What’s your dream tour that you’d put together?

Marlon D: I got a chance to open up for a lot of legendary hip-hop artists these past fifteen years, but I would love to go on tour with all the MC’s I grew up on.

SolShock: What’s the hardest or most challenging business aspect of being an indie artist?

Marlon D: The most challenging aspect of being an indie artist is everything coming out of my pocket. From making the album, distribution, marketing and promotion, shooting my own music videos, PR work, press runs, all comes out of my pocket. Booking my own radio interviews, podcast interviews, getting featured on blog sites, magazine articles — it’s all done through me. I’m doing everything on my own with some help from people not because they have to, but because they want to.

SolShock: What are some of the most helpful tools for as an independent artist?

Marlon D: Besides social media, you really need to meet people and make new fans in person. It’s still important to have great relationships with DJs, podcast hosts, radio hosts, blog writers, because these are the people that will help get your music out there. It’s important to keep listening to what’s new, and it’s important to stay updated with the music business and how people are listening to music. The industry is always changing. You simply have to adapt.

SolShock: How do you balance your day job and music?

Marlon D: For the past eleven years, I’ve learned to balance my career as a Behavioral Therapist for children with Autism and as a hip-hop artist. Before the pandemic I would work my 9 to 5 during the week then when I’d get off work, I’d go straight to the studio. I was doing shows during night-time. I would travel out of town to do shows. I simply made my music career a priority and I made time for it. I simply had to sacrifice a lot. It takes a lot of time and dedication to stay consistent throughout the years.

SolShock: What can we expect from you in 2021?

Marlon D: 2021 will be spent in the recording studio and I’m currently on Season 2 of my podcast called MDPodcast. I’ve been interviewing a lot of creative people, healers, and advocates for mental health. I’ve been highlighting people of color that are starting their own businesses and making a positive impact on the community.

SolShock: What makes you radiant?

Marlon D: I have my days where I don’t feel radiant, but when I feel like I’ve touched someone’s life with my music, then I feel radiant. Or, if I make someone laugh, I feel like I’m doing my good deed for the day.

SolShock: What was your most recent happy discovery?

Marlon D: I love discovering old and new music. Ever since he died, I’ve been blasting MF Doom’s early work with KMD.

---

By the time you’ve scrolled down to this section, Marlon D will probably have released another album. Listen to his music on Bandcamp and find his latest album, Act 2 in all digital stores. Check out his podcast, MDPODCAST, on Spotify and all streaming services.