Taking the R&B by storm

When Portland rapper and hip-hop artist Marv Ellis is asked where he’s from, his response is Eugene. According to Ellis, when on an out-of-state tour, many fans will ask where that is. If he responds with Portland, people automatically connect him with the top-notch talent Portland is known for producing.

“Even though I live in Portland, now some of the best musicians have come from Eugene,” Ellis said. When I’m on tour and they say ‘where are you from?’ And I say Eugene they’re like, ‘where?’ If I’m on tour and they say ‘where are you from?’ And I say I live in Portland they say ‘oh, nice.'”

Some of the best musicians he has ever met came from his hometown of Eugene, but Portland has been a great opportunity for him to perform his music, which he can only describe as, “funk and soul, fusion, R&B, hip-hop…it’s really a heavy mix of just banging stuff.”

Ellis, who has been performing in Portland for the last two-and-a-half years, currently plays weekly shows at the White Eagle every Tuesday night. Ellis’ live concert experience is part of what makes him such a unique artist. He focuses not only on music, but creating what he calls “360 degrees of entertainment.” He crafts a show that focuses on showing off his talent as well as incorporating his audience and band of violins, guitars and inventive percussion.

Ellis has produced three full-length albums, with his last one titled Mental Picture Machine. For his latest album, Ellis was in complete control throughout the writing and creating process. From the beats to the lyrics and the producing, he put all of his effort into creating solid tracks often in one day.

“Wake up, roll out of bed, make a song-type thing or go get up, it’s sunny, go get some coffee, get a breakfast pastry, write a song, come home record it, mix it, finish it that day,” Ellis said about his music-making routine.

As simple as it sounds, Ellis has put in plenty of time in order to establish his talents around the music community and it has paid off. He has played with the likes of Michael Franti, as well as other well-known acts.

Tonight’s show is at the Report Lounge where Ellis will be joined by Mad Fresh DJ’s.

“My plan the whole time was to come up to the live music scene, not the hip-hop scene in Portland…because I want to meet musicians.”

Ellis did just that and will be joined by them tonight as well as on March 20, when he will be the featured artist at the Crystal Ballroom.