[slideshow_deploy id=’899′]BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
Englewood, New Jersey — Stephan Marcellus was born and raised in Englewood. Last year, the 27-year-old singer rocketed to fame as a breakout star on NBC’s hit show “The Voice.” He blazed a trail being the first Guyanese American on the show and the first male contestant to be stolen to an all-female team led by Miley Cyrus.
Marcellus said he takes pride in his Guyanese heritage and his childhood in Englewood, surrounded by the love and support of his parents and younger brother.
The essence of Marcellus rests in his spirituality, which stems from his Guyanese roots and is the foundation of his artistry.
As a graduate of Bowie State University in 2012, Marcellus uses his background in child and adolescent studies to mentor and motivate youth toward emotional maturity and creative endeavors.
Marcellus has attended master classes with neo soul sensation Ledisi, but he pioneered his own form of alternative soul, a hybrid between rock, folk and soul music. His eclectic style paired with his message of freedom and authority transcends all barriers, allowing him to move freely through all genres of music.
His soul-bearing ballad, “Puppeteer,” released through AfroPunk, solidified his storytelling ability and gained him a slot as a semi-finalist in ASCAP’s International Songwriting Competition.
Marcellus’ genuine spirit and dynamic voice has allowed him to perform on numerous stages from New York to Washington, D.C.
This past November, fresh off his appearance on “The Voice,” Marcellus released a single, “Renegade,” which is on the Voice’s Top 20 List out of 600 original songs that have been submitted to the show.
“I pray when people hear this song, they feel empowered,” Marcellus said of his new recording. “‘Renegade’ is dedicated to dreamers, risk takers and anyone who may struggle with feeling like they aren’t good enough. You are light, you are necessary, you are worthy and you will be remembered.”
Hillary Viders: Did you study voice in high school?
Stephan Marcellus: I never had voice lessons, but music was always in my family. My grandfather was a singer in the church choir and he sang around the house all the time. My younger brother Kahlil sings in an a capella group at Drew University and my uncle sings in New York City.
In college, I thought about becoming a music major, but I decided instead to major in child and adolescent studies.
HV: Do you think that singing is a gift inherited from one’s family, or is it something that can just be learned?
SM: I do believe that there is a genetic component, but practice is imperative. I practice at least two hours every day.
HV: How competitive is the atmosphere on “The Voice?”
SM: Very competitive. It starts out with 40,000 auditions, from which 48 people are selected for the show. Then, there are five rounds in which contestants are eliminated. So, you are always competing against other talented singers.
My experience on “The Voice” began with the blind audition that is held at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, in which all four judges sit with their backs to you. If they like you, they turn to face you, and if they don’t, they remain with their backs to you. I was so nervous, but fortunately Jennifer Hudson liked my performance so I made it to the next round.
HV: Which celebrities on “The Voice” gave you the best advice?
SM: I had several coaches including Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Kelly Rowan. Jennifer Hudson taught me to really trust myself and to not be afraid to be myself. Miley encouraged me to commit to the characters in the songs that I sing.
HV: Can you tell us a little about your Guyanese background, which seems to have had a big influence on your music?
SM: My parents were both born in Guyana, but they didn’t meet until they came to Brooklyn. They’ve been married 27 years and they still have a strong connection to their roots.
HV: Are you in touch with any family members in Guyana?
SM: Yes, I stay in touch with my family by email, and my parents travel back and forth frequently so see my aunts, uncles and cousins.
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HV: What do you enjoy more, writing songs or performing them?
SM: That’s a tough question! I think I enjoy the process of writing, but I also love performing. I’m very shy, but when I sing, I become a totally different person and really put myself out there.
HV: From where do you derive your inspiration for the songs that you write?
SM: I write about the people, places and events that I have experienced. Everything, even the heartbreaks.
HV: Do people come up to you and ask you to write a song about them?
SM: Yes, all the time, but it doesn’t work that way.
HV: In your opinion, what makes a piece of music timeless?
SM: I think a song is timeless if it has honesty in the lyrics and has a message to which everyone can relate. I also think that it is how you deliver that song that makes it memorable. Most importantly, a timeless piece of music is one that changes the world.
HV: How do you use your creative endeavors to work with adolescents?
SM: When I did seminars for college kids at Bowie State University, I encouraged them to use the passion inside them. I also do one-on-one mentoring. It’s rewarding to work with young people because they are in transition and you can mold them and inspire them.
HV: Is “alternative soul music” mainstream yet or is it still evolving?
SM: It’s still evolving, and it combines different genres. I’ve always liked soul, such as Sam Cooke’s music, and I like Bob Marley and LL Cool J. Actually, I appreciate any musician whose work makes a difference in the world.
HV: If you could record a duet with anyone, who would you pick?
SM: Mitchell Lee (who accompanied Marcellus to the interview). We started out on “The Voice” together and became close friends. Mitchell’s genre is alternative rock, and we complement each other very well and we bounce ideas off each other.
When I left the show, I contacted Mitchell for advice because he was such an incredible performer and so naturally gifted. We recently started performing together, such as in his sold-out show in South Carolina (Lee just returned from Minneapolis, where he did a pre-Super Bowl show organized by Blake Shelton and Adidas.)
HV: Did appearing on “The Voice” lead to other offers and opportunities?
SM: Yes, it did. Amongst other places, I will now be performing at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City.
HV: You performed a soulful rendition of “America the Beautiful” at the Englewood City Council reorganization meeting recently and people were amazed at your talent. Have you performed at other community events?
SM: I sang “Too Close” by Alex Clare at Englewood’s July Fourth fireworks celebration in 2015. I would like to sing at other Englewood venues such as the bergenPAC.
I love Englewood and hope to continue contributing to the community. Englewood is a special place to me because it is where I got my start. My teacher at elementary school encouraged me, and now I want to give back to other young children.
Photo courtesy Stephan Marcellus
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