Marlowe 2 album cover // Graphic design by Ruff Mercy and Austin Hart; Cover photography by Sam Fu.
Marlowe is a collaborative rap project from Seattle-based producer L’Orange and North Carolina rapper Solemn Brigham. Since the release of their first joint record, Marlowe, in 2018, they’ve continued to pair Solemn’s lyrics focusing on social injustice, police brutality, and poverty, with L’Orange’s booming beats and dusty samples, making for a classic sound confronting contemporary struggles.
With the impending release of Marlowe 2, the duo talked to StockX about being influenced by a range of musical genres and eras, the problem with crime dramas, and making music in a generational moment of crisis.
The following interview has been lightly edited.
What influences both of you?
L’Orange: What has helped us work together since day one has been our differences of influences. We’re both heavily influenced by golden-era hip-hop but I’ve always loved jazz while Solemn has had more funky sensibilities.
Solemn Brigham: I think L’Orange and I have a lot in common when it comes to influences and I feel that’s what makes Marlowe work. We both appreciate different periods of music and value originality. For me, I’m mostly inspired by Southern gospel and soul. I get a lot of inspiration from the struggle and that’s what really keeps me motivated.
What’s the most overrated?
Solemn: Crime dramas are overrated in my opinion. They give people unrealistic views of what real crime looks like.
L’Orange: Cilantro. But then again my tastes are probably different than yours.
What’s the most underrated?
L’Orange: Wearing headphones without any music playing.
Solemn: I think chess boxing is the most underrated. It’s a test of body and mind. It’s the most ridiculous sport ever and more people should be watching.
What are you both excited about right now?
L’Orange: I’m excited for everyone to hear Marlowe 2. We wore ourselves down for this project and got lucky to record it right before quarantine hit.
Solemn: Definitely excited about dropping this album. It’s such a strange time now. I think the atmosphere is perfect for it and I’m ready to see how people react.
What’s next for the both of you?
L’Orange: We’re looking forward to working together for many years to come, but for now we want to make sure the new album is given its chance to touch hearts and minds. We’re looking forward to touring as soon as it’s safe.
Solemn: Marlowe still has a lot of work to do so I expect our story to grow as we continue to make waves this year. As for me, I’m looking forward to the world getting a new norm and having a big 2021.
Bonus: We are living in a moment when History is close to the surface of everyday life. Do you both feel like you’re making music and art at a moment that will be closely studied by future generations? Do you feel like your music and your art have changed in response to the times?
Solemn: I do believe that future generations will study the music of this time closely. I think now is a very pivotal moment for us socially, and my art definitely reflects that. I wouldn’t say my music has changed with the times though. A lot of what motivates me centers around social injustice and wanting to shape the world, so I’m in this headspace pretty often. Feels good to know I’m not alone.
