Local 913, Episode 103: Mars Jackson
“They think they know about Pittsburgh, but they don’t know. When they find out about Pittsburgh they’re all like ‘Aw, yeah you do have stuff here, man!’ It’s like yeah! Every city has their cool things they do and their culture. I try to put on more for our creative culture and show that we have a lot to offer here in Pittsburgh.”
Rapper Mars Jackson, originally from New York, has called Pittsburgh home for most of his life. His full embrace of the city is clear when you talk to him and when you listen to his music with references to neighborhoods and local celebrities like Fred Rogers. For Mars, a passion for music started at an early age:
“I started playing the violin in second grade. In first grade, I wanted to play the drums, but I didn’t get picked, so I waited. The following year when they came around to ask what kind if instruments we wanted to play, I put down the violin because I knew all my friends got to get out of class [laughs]. I decided to play the violin and my sister played the viola. Then I would go home and practice with my sister. I was in love with it, until I got to high school and then I started playing sports.”
Although he was focused more on sports, his affinity for writing lyrics developed during track meets in high school:
“I ran track, so during track meets when you’re killing time, I started freestyling. People be listening to music and joking and ripping. So we would all be freestyling and everything and I was pretty good at it.”
These days, Mars Jackson has developed a musical partnership with local producer Nice Rec, who will be producing his soon to be released debut album. Their first release, “I’m Just Being Nice”, an EP from April of 2016, showcases both exceptional Pittsburgh talents. For more on Mars Jackson, check out his Facebook page.
