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Despite naming himself after an evil green miniature despot, Marvin The Martian actually has a fair bit going for him. Labelled as a pioneer of the emerging 'Grindie' scene he's pushed mix tapes to insatiable hip-hop fans, while at the same time being accepted into the indie scene by forming mutant grime and art-rock collaborations with the likes of Art Brut (featured here) and cutting up Elastica with Akira the Don.
Marvin's Hoods and Badges EP (a nod to his two favourite genres fan-wear?) is a three track sample, featuring both his autobiographical hip-hop tracks and indie re-works. I Don't Go Alone is a typical hook-led street anthem, brimming with witty insight and chipmunk chorus vocals. It's catchy and chart friendly, and by far the least cutting edge thing here.
But if things are starting to look like Marvin The Martian might just be another type-cast British MC, he comes out with Around The Way and Stay Off The Kane. The former filthy slab of probably the grimiest beats this side of that Dizzee fella, it even feature a Rule Britannia break down in between distorted bass hooks and machine gun snares. The latter, said re-work of Art Brut's Emily Kane, starts off with stalker whispers, then turns Eddie Argo's light-hearted tale of teenage romance into angst-laced grime. It sounds like it should be awful, but does what the best covers should: a completely different and fresh take on the original .
With fingers deep into the indie and British hip-hop pies, and with the two looking to each other for inspiration now, it looks as if whether hoods or badges are your thing, you're going to hear a fair bit of Marvin The Martian.
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