Marco Polo joins Gems with Shom. From Toronto to New York, Marco Polo has built a career as one of underground hip-hop’s most respected producers, working with legends including Masta Ace, Rakim, KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Kool G Rap, Sean Price, Buckshot, Large Professor, Westside Gunn, DJ Premier, and more. In this conversation, Marco discusses his journey from Toronto beatmaker to producer, moving to New York, interning at The Cutting Room, learning from Ayatollah, creating Port Authority, and building a sound rooted in hard drums, samples, records, and classic hip-hop. We also discuss the evolution of his production style, from sample-based beats to full compositions, library music, soundtrack influences, synthesizers, drum programming, sound design, and his new project The Many Moods of Marco Polo: Blooming Hits, Vol. 1. Marco shares stories about Masta Ace, DJ Premier, Nas, Rakim, Large Professor, Westside Gunn, Pete Rock, J Dilla, Akai, MPCs, Port Authority, Nostalgia, and the challenge of making old sounds feel new again. In the Drop a Gem on ’Em segment, we discuss ESG, Bob James, Westside Gunn, Main Source, Pete Rock, Guru, Kenny Burke, Lords of the Underground, library records, international digging, and more. GEMS is a show about beat digging, records, production, and other things. Subscribe for more conversations on music, creativity, records, culture, and the deeper stories behind the producers, DJs, artists, and collectors who shape the sound. Full episode available now. #MarcoPolo
