UPTOWNflavor

Editor’s Note: We are trying out a new segment called Uptown Artist Spotlight. These posts will be a bit longer than your typical UPTOWNflavor posts and they will essentially highlight artists in our community. Writers, rappers, singers, painters, poets, sculptors… we want to read about whoever has some creative energy that they like to share. Our first entry for this new segment comes from Tiffany Y’vonne and the subject is Sir Ben Marx. If you know an artist you’d like to see featured, shoot an email to tips@uptownflavor.com. If you’d like to submit an already written artist profile, you can send that in too. Let us know what you think about this new feature.

Different in Harlem
By: Tiffany Y’vonne

Progressive . . . Funk . . . Rock . . . R&B . . . Techno . . . Gospel.
A cliché “eclectic” mix describes local Harlem artist Sir Ben Marx. He is reminiscent of a lone ranger traveling a foreign landscape which does not warmly welcome him.

In an era (some say is passing) where American mass culture seems to be dominated by Rap, Sir Ben Marx musically dispenses an alternative blend from various musical genres with a personalized modern twist. For me, it’s like having a 1980s flashback—rock, attitude, funk, punk, fun, instrumentation, freedom, experimental, and initiative to produce a cohesive album, not just a few chart-topping singles like today.

As a 25 year-old but “5 year-old” performing artist, he adds an interesting flavor to the emerging artists from talent-drenched Harlem. Marc Benjamin, better known as “Sir Ben,” hails of North Carolinian family roots.

Upon meeting the up-close-and-personal Sir Ben Marx at an inviting and nondescript enclave in Morningside Park, I am surprised at his introverted nature and extreme Southern congenial mannerisms. He is slightly soft-spoken with a Southern accent somewhat akin to the slightly breathy, emotion-rich rock-infused, controlled voice on his album. As I listen to this bold, cultural-envelope pusher, I imagined a more charismatic, outgoing persona with edge.

He reveals his part-time lover, as Fine Arts, which expresses as equal a passion and authenticity as his music. Upon viewing a few untitled mixed-medium canvasses consisting of acrylic, metals, water color, fabric paint, and ink chosen by him, I observe the same storyteller element within his artwork as his music. Sir Ben seems to gravitate towards visual interpretation of the private emotional landscape of people expressed outwardly, particularly as fanciful and faerie-like women. He doesn’t say much or encouragingly indicate a desire to discuss as I view. I take the non-verbal cue to silently explore as my mind puzzles the story seeping through soul-searing eyes, pointy ears, and strong, vivid brush strokes. Yet I return to the haunting, piercing, and expressive eyes, which are a unifying signature throughout his work. They demand willingness to fall into them and know their story. It’s like the life-seeking understanding resonating in Sir Ben’s lyrics, which demand your auditory attention beyond just a beat.

In his second album entitled Retrokinetic War Sir Ben interweaves substance with a non-heavy dose on adjusting to the realities of life to covering the multiple millennia known battle for internal freedom; while layering a subtle touch of Southern storytelling. A personal, intimate rawness flows through the majority of the tracks.

Track five entitled Get Use is a definite motion picture worthy anthem. It implores of common Southern culture as its first line requests wisdom from an elder on the unknown landscape facing him—“Sir, can you tell me where I’m going?” The elder responds,

“Young man take your time, you’re growing . . . you’ll see.” Get Use self-excavates on transitioning from childhood to adulthood to opening up and learning to flow with life
as a stirring steady drum beat sounds as a heart pumping to a determined current interpreted through rousing electric guitar chords. If you need an edge to keep trudging when life seems chaotic, disorderly, forlorn, or unrecognizable, this song will infuse you with determination, will, and hope.

I Wish, track ten, begins as a journey into a good ol’ Southern Baptist church (not the denomination) and then takes a sharp turn as the gospel meets live rock. The feel good, tappin’ foot rhythm is graced with self-testimony lyrics ripe with awareness of the shortcomings we feel as humans and our earnest wishes to BE more—even if in secret.

I think of Harlem and its decades of musical soul from defined genres like Jazz to fusions such as Afro-Cuban music stewed in its essence and wonder how this up-and-coming artist will add to the overall flavor—if he makes even that much of an impact. The 1980s flashback reminds me of Prince, which he is often compared to. Like Prince, he writes, plays various instruments, arranges and composes, and performs. Others relate his ambiguous sexuality, personalized fashion (locks and chains become necklaces), and falsetto voice to the renown musical genius. As a point of distinction and an unconventional element, Sir Ben integrates his artwork as part of the Sir Ben Marx live experience; which has debuted at Billie’s Black, Lanegrita, 169 Bar, Solomon’s Porch, The Triad Theater, Sugar Bar, The Stark, Baggot Inn, and Everything Goes Book Café.

As we sit on the park bench, I mention his similarity to Prince in which he answers with a mashed-up facial expression of appreciation, discontentment, and patience with a touch
of ouch. I look back with indifference and an underlying urge to understand his reaction as a comparison to Prince in my mind is an honor.

He looks away for a moment into the tall, ripened trees and says he appreciates the comments people make when they compare him to Prince, but he doesn’t know much
about him in detail and doesn’t want to. He further states that he seems to be similar to him as other people say, but just call him Sir . . . Sir Ben Marx.

Once more he returns to gaze into the trees and I am reminded again of an elderly countenance. I feel as if I am conversing with an elder yet young-bodied, young-edged, and of the growing curious mind associated with the epic young adult. I decide to join him in his gaze believing that there is a definite probability that this –different- Harlem artist might just add something interesting to the flavor.

For more information and/or booking, check out Sir Ben Marx at the following:
www.MySpace.com/BenMarcx
www.MySpace.com/IprefirSir
www.MySpace.com/Shamsun7

About the Author:
Tiffany Y’vonne writes content/script for business presentations, artist/company biographies, website content, business correspondence, and business proposals. She can be reached at CustomizedContent@mail.com.