Indy In-Tune

Bio

Progressive music is rapidly making its way to the forefront of Hip Hop. The Martianz combine powerful and inspired lyrics mixed with carefully crafted beats using old and new school techniques. The rap duo has recently been touted as "the U-N-I of the Midwest" with the progressive musings of a modernized Outkast. Their rhymes revolve around everything on their agendas. "It's lifestyle music; chicks, growing up in the G, the life as college students, chasing the dream while still being on our style. A love for good beats and dope melodies." Rapper/producer Jack Marz (Keith Boyd) and rapper Max Fenix (Sidney Moore) grew up on opposite sides of Gary, Indiana. Both Marz and Fenix found themselves searching for a lane in this heavily industrialized city that often stands tall at the top of violent crime lists. The lack of a music scene posed as an issue until they decided to take their artistic musings into their own hands. The Martianz joined forces in college their freshman year at Indiana State University. The two quickly connected through a shared passion for an unconventional manner and an eclectic musical ear. Their influences range from Lupe Fiasco, The Clipse, Kanye West, Outkast, Kenna, Portis Head, and N.E.R.D. Jack Marz and Max Fenix never sacrifice their style and take serious pride in their swagger, finding a unique combination of thrift store jackets, exclusive kicks, and random t-shirts. The Martianz have headlined concerts sponsored by Rokkstarr and Monster energy drinks with Indiana State University's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity in addition to shows with the ISU Music Industry Association. They have also performed for the Indiana University Hip Hop Congress and at Vincennes University's Black Student Union fashion show. Other shows include the Record Bar in Kansas City, Missouri with DJ tag team No Mathematics, the 3DollaHolla at Wims Bar in Terre Haute, the Indiana Sneak Attack shows, IU Little 500 block party, and numerous house parties. Most recently the duo has joined forces with Indianapolis MC InfeRed and live band Stuck N The Air (who often backs them live) to host a monthly series of Hip Hop showcases called FINO at new Bloomington venue Rewind. Released October 31st of 2008, recorded in a sparse dorm room with limited resources and an abundance of beer and drugs, The Martianz liberated their first mixtape entitled "Spaceships and Beamz". Setting the base for their alien sound they melded heavy beats, synthesizers, and obscure samples. With the moderate success of over 700 promotional downloads and CDs with no outside funding, The Martianz stirred up the unsuspecting community and created a buzz in the region. Continuing the movement on Halloween of 2009, The Martianz dropped their second installment called "Nice and Clutch." With few more resources they found a cleaner sound without sacrificing their deep subject matter or simple, yet dusty, music. Featuring some new and old songs, they quickly followed in the Spring of 2010 with "Mind Grenade." Following with their autumn release tradition, The Martianz are preparing to drop their 4th mixtape in two years with the ever advancing "Mind Grenade Vol. 2." The Martianz have a confident disposition. A confidence through dedication. The duo finds value in "just improving ourselves and the world around us," says Jack Marz. "Anyways, when did being yourself become so different?"

Featured Releases