For one of the DMV’s freshest creatives, things have been going up and it’s stuck. 

The other day, I got a chance to sit with DMV’s very own Marc Bravo. The 25-year-old dynamic artist, creative, and entrepreneur is a leading force in the DMV art scene. So much so, you've probably seen him around or heard of some of the big things he is doing. But if you’re not plugged in, then let me welcome you to him. 

Marc Bravo is a musician, entrepreneur, model, producer, and show curator. But what would be an even better way to describe who he is? “Marc Bravo as an entity stands for love. Give love, receive love, and spread love,” he tells me. “I love to help people get put on… I love to help people get further into the industry and give them advice on certain things.” 

As an artist, Marc is very diverse with his style and sound. I asked him what his musical influences were that makes him the artist he is today. First, we have to go back to his time in North Carolina when he was much younger and absorbing that Southern hospitality and music with that Southern crank. Then, after moving to Detroit, he gained the grit and lyricism particular to the area, not to mention being brought up during the come up of legends like Eminem and D'Block. Bravo then moved to the DMV area, where he has been residing for the last two decades of his life. “Here it's all about style, essence, aesthetic,” he tells me. It’s a combination of these three experiences in his life that helped plant the seeds of Marc Bravo’s artistry., “That’s my whole vibe. Love, hard work, grit, and aesthetics.” 

The last project he shared with the world was Allure 2.0. That was the first project he recorded and released under his management partnership with AMG management. The project gave Bravo the experience of recording in different states with other amazing artists like Planet Dru, COASTWILDE, and Rashad Stark. “I like to encompass the moment rather than just focus on [making] good songs.” The album is filled with warm frequencies and pure emotion on each track. For Marc, he felt that Allure 2.0 was a game-changing album for him. “It really helped me get from local toward global territory for sure.”

But Marc Bravo’s music only scratches the surfaces of his versatility in the creative scene. One of his goals is to show people many of his other talents and skills. “I want them to make room for the other side of me.” What is this other side you may ask? 

Early last year, Marc had an idea of creating a reality show contest for other new and gifted artists in the DMV area. He shared with me the story behind the idea. He was at Dj Bri Mafia’s house doing a show in the basement. Then, when he went upstairs, he saw that there were other artists living in the house together and creating together. He thought to himself, “This would be cold if we could see what goes on in a house like this.”

And it was that light bulb that gave birth to Creative House, a reality TV show competition like no other in the DMV area. He rented out a house and gave artists everything they needed to create. They were in the house for 48 hours, with a private chef to cook them meals, an engineer, photographer, and videographer.  The artist with the best song received a monetary reward. Bravo had about 50 artists who submitted to be a part of the project with 12 artists going on to be part of this first season. At the end of the show, they all ended up going on tour. “It was a lit summer.”

Marc also filmed his music video for his song “Lil Saint” on the last day of Creative House. A dope song with even more dope visuals of fun creatives coming together.  “I just like to do things I want to do. I like to accomplish things on my list.”

On what he thinks is missing the most within the DMV music scene, Marc says it's the industry and the way everyone is connected.  He compares the scene to a building with missing levels. It's on those missing floors Marc has found his calling. “I like to encourage to bridge that gap, be that person, cause you saw [that gap] for a reason.” 

Before the interview ended, I asked Marc to reflect on what he thinks helped most towards him being the multi-faceted creative he is now. “I gotta thank my parents for pushing me to go to school.” Marc was a marketing major at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He further explains how schooling helped him diagnose the DMV’s problem. “When I started seeing the ins and outs of how businesses work, consumer psychology, I began to use that to learn and assess the DMV and how we can better as a whole culture.” His time in college helped nurture a business mindset which only helped elevate his brand and talents to the next level. “I didn't realize how many resources I had until I graduated college. College gave me five years to plan my next five years.” 

I lastly asked him what he would say to the old him five years ago from today. “Nothing, for real. I’d just tell him to look at me right now. You can tell by the energy that you are on the right path. So just do you cause if you change something, I won't be who I am today.” 

You can catch the first episode of Creative House on March 8th at the premiere event at Old Greenbelt Theater, and even more music and video content from Bravo as the year continues.