Over the past two decades, America has watched Marques Houston grow-up in the public spotlight. And as he transitioned from childhood to adulthood, his passion for music never faded and his hunger for success only grew stronger. With ten albums to his credit, as a solo and group artist, there should be no doubt that Marques Houston is an industry veteran, even if he is only 28 years old.
While preparing for a string of shows in Frankfurt, Germany, Marques Houston managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry—reflecting on Michael Jackson, “Express Lane,” and his new company, MusicWorks Entertainment.
It’s hard to believe that you've been in the music industry for almost two decades. Considering how old you are, that's a significant chunk of your life. When you reflect over your career, what do you think has allowed you to have such longevity, when many of your contemporaries have fallen by the wayside?
You know what I think it is? I think it's because I really try to stay true to myself and true to my art, true to my craft, and most importantly, true to my fans. I feel like they're the reason why I'm here in the first place, and they've always been the reason why I do anything. I started out so young – like you said, it's been twenty years. Since I was little, I've always loved attention. I would perform at the family functions when I was three years old. Ever since I could walk, I was dancing, so my aunties and uncles and my mom would be like, "Go ahead. Take the floor." So I would go out there and dance. It's always been in me to entertain. And I've always loved attention, so I think the attention — and not in a negative way — and the response that I get from my audience and my crowd and my fans is what keeps me motivated and keeps me wanting to do more. It's like if a basketball team goes to the floor and they're getting cheered in their home court. It makes them feel better as opposed to if they're in the opposing court – everybody's booing them and stuff like that, so they're not going to give their best. I always look at it as I'm on the home court. I always have home court advantage because I have followers that just support me and they've supported me from day one, and I really appreciate them. And they're who really keep me going and help me stay motivated.
Article comments
1 - Tom Traubert
With no disrespect to the artist, I have no idea who Marques Houston is. What's disheartening is that the interviewer does nothing to introduce the artist to those unfamiliar with him. The brief preface to this interview reads like a poorly worded press release for industry insiders, not a proper explanation of who is being interviewed along with the necessary backstory for average readers to understand the context of the conversation.
Further, the interviewer doesn't indicate why this artist is "reflecting on Michael Jackson, “Express Lane,” and his new company, MusicWorks Entertainment." What's it all got to do with him, or me, or anything? I don't know what "Express Lane" is (a movie? a song about rush-hour traffic?). I don't know why I should care about some company by a guy I don't know. And I can reflect on Michael Jackson too. What makes reading this person's reflections on him any more worthwhile than listening to mine?
To be clear, none of my criticism here has to do with Marques Houston. Rather, it is the responsibility of the interviewer, Clayton Perry (I don't know who he is either), to introduce the artist and bring readers up to speed about why reading what he has to say is worth their time. In this case, the interviewer did not fulfill his responsibility to readers.