Rapper/producer Nick Marv of the Rolling Stallones. starts 2025 on a solo mission as he unveils his new album, Warrior in the Garden. The 17-track project branches off slightly from the Rolling Stallones. sound with Nick Marv adding his unique twist to the project’s core. Produced by fellow member Goji Rock who crafts a vast soundscape filled with edgy cinematic samples with punchy rock-infused drums, Nick Marv gets to shine and deliver quite an engaging body of work.
The project kicks off on a high note with a rousing and energetic title track “Warrior in the Garden.” Here, Nick Marv lets loose and directs his frustrations to several real-time issues bothering him. Far from being anti-social or anti-systemic, he is all about the truth and facts with lines like “There’s a famine in the streets and nobody know it/ Technology evolve Humanity is at its lowest” which underpins his social consciousness. On “Animus” and “Back on the Case” he recruits Expertiz (fellow Rolling Stallones member) and MTRI respectively. The tracks blend firebrand lyricism over hard-hitting cinematic beats provided by Goji Rock with each emcee getting their slot to shine bright. In “Grandiose Dopeness,” audiences are re-introduced to the B-boy side of Nick Marv as he slides effortlessly over a layered break beat that would get the dancefloor rocking in a bboy battle. The production is edgy and sounds like a score from a retro sci-fi flick with a modern twist.
Thus far, the project lives up to its title, with Nick Marv as the proverbial warrior who is aware of his strength and uses it only when it’s required. “The Action is the Juice” is a perfect example of deft-defying lyricism and the use of commanding cadences to deliver clear concise messages. In a similar vein, “Bone Marrow” continues with engaging storytelling from Nick Marv and Expertiz who both share their inspirational stories about their journey and the near-impossible hurdles they had to overcome. Tracks like “Space, Time, and Self” and “Saturday in the City” MTRI steer the theme into introspective territory. The former looks deep into what life is from a philosophical and existential lens while the latter is a homage to the Big Apple. The production has a soulful and showtime feel and sees Nick Marv reflecting on life in NY. This is followed by the gritty “Coup d’etat” comprising anthemic horns and crunchy downtempo drums underpinned by an engaging story about certain characters he met during an afternoon in NY. The track serves as Nick Marv’s tribute to NY and also some sort of audio documentary for listeners as the rapper’s vivid lyrics put us right in the middle of the action. Expertiz shows up in “Stomp and Circumstance” for another round of lyrical showcase and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
The project now leans into slightly different territory, with Nick Marv using a wide range of concepts and themes. For example, “Nick Marv for Hire” has a movie theme with a noir detective tone, while “Broken Words” dives into loss and solemnity. Nic Marv’s knack for penning stories is the icing on the cake and he takes audiences into different parts of his life without losing the plot. “Lonely at the Top” is reflective, but the beat is rousing and edgy, while Nick Marv’s aggressive flow adds urgency to the track as well. Lines like “I don’t freeze in the face of the fury/death is but a mere slave only God is the jury/Remind myself I’m built unconventionally/rugged and I have no regrets to how my business is conducted” underscore his inner thoughts. The fun continues on the playful “Wholesome as Fuck” and “Life Aquatic” featuring singer Jet Cobretti. These tracks show Nick Marv’s duality as he flips from a devil-may-care demeanour to introspection at the drop of a dime. Next is the laidback “In the Slow Lane,” ripe with punchy grooves, soulful vocal chops, cinematic strings and of course Nick Marv’s expressive flow and an anthemic hook to close things out. The project closes out with “Wolf Nut,” a semi-autobiographical track that gives us a glimpse into Nick Marv’s life and his driving force.
Overall Warrior in the Garden, is a nonstop action-packed project with twists and turns. The beats are layered, punchy and cinematic while Nick Marv’s boisterous energy and rap style bring a distinct engaging quality to the forefront.
Keep up with Nick Marv | Spotify: Instagram
Keep up with The Rolling Stallones | Soundcloud : Bandcamp : Facebook : Twitter : Instagram