There was a point in the timeline of Christian Rap when producers received little or no love in the public/ fan’s eyes. Whether it was because of quality (a dying, if not dead, argument) or the product over process mindset, many a beatsmith has toiled in anonymity. Of course, recent years have brought about more outward love given to the makers of the “canvas” rappers paint on. With producers (some double as rappers) such as Tony Stone, G- Styles, Witness, Teddy P, K-Drama and many others being about as synonymous with good music (what a concept) as the lyricists, credit is being given in places other than just liner notes. One beat artisan that has hit the scene hard and created a buzz for the handiwork God has made through him is Marv4Mo Beats. I sat down with this man about Kingdom Business and chopped it up about serving in the church, production, and distaste for his native New Orleans pro teams.

Kellus Hill: First off, let me start by asking you the most important question who is Marvin Glaspie?

Marv4MoBeats: Marvin Glaspie is a God- fearing man, husband, father of nine kids, a producer, youth minister, etc., etc...

KH: Mang, you know I can't let you get away with the etc., etc.! (laughs) You gotta give us some more detail on the youth minister and producer parts. How long have you been serving the Body in those roles?

M4M: Man, I have been a Born Again Christian 10 years now and I just got ordained in March but, I've been co- laboring in my youth department for at least 5 years now. I’m also the head Sound tech at my church (shoots out to my church home, Smoking For Jesus Ministries).

KH: Man, I can already see the comments that will come as folks wonder about your church’s name...

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M4M: Let me address the name real quick; the name comes from Revelations 3:16, Jesus said He wants us to be cold or hot but if you are lukewarm He will spit you out so we are on fire for the Lord.

KH: I feel you, I'm glad you explained it so controversy can stay on the minimum. Now, you’re originally from New Orleans (a Katrina evacuee like my wife was) tell us a little about that time and how God has blessed you in your new home of Texas.

M4M: Mang that journey was like the children of Israel and the wilderness experience. We left that Sunday (Aug. 28, 2005) morning and traveled to Lumberton, TX- right outside of Beaumont TX. That Monday morning the storm hit- I forgot to tell you my whole church family together, all 300 of us, traveled together. We were so thankful God allowed us to get out on time but then Rita hit Lumberton we had to leave again and traveled to 6 different cities in TX before we ended up in Marble Falls, TX. God showed us favor thru that journey; we just followed the cloud as He led us thru.

KH: Amen, that's the Lord showing Himself unchanged and faithful to his people throughout the ages. Are you in Texas for good or thinking of moving back to the N.O.?

M4M: Yesssir! Real Talk fam, the N.O. is not a place to raise your kids fam. Not a peaceful place but I will be doing a lot of ministry out there with my church.

KH: I can definitely feel you on that; my wife definitely shut me down when I even considered the thought of moving to LaPlace. Speaking of N.O. and ministry, tell me a little bit about your brotherhood with Corey Hicks.

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M4M: Mang, Co Hicks we go way back, as a matter of fact, Corey's album was the first album I worked on outside of my group. 24/7 was his first album. I couldn’t even give him tracked out files because of the equipment I had but, he gave me a chance anyway. He will always have a place in my heart because, thru God using him to mentor and encourage to go for it- along with my beautiful wife Demaries- I am where I am. He still be gassin me up (laughs)!

KH: (laughs) That's how fam is right there! How long have you been in production? In this day of downloading albums and not having the production credits, what are some albums that you've worked on recently?

M4M: Wheeeeeeeeeew!! Sometimes I don’t even remember (laughs)! Let me see... I worked with first, my group SoundMinds Music- where it all started- I have worked with Fedel, Dre Marshall, K-drama, Tonic from Cross Movement, Corey Hicks, Sir Viva (Walk Right Ministries), Wilchild, J.Johnson, Transparent, Voyce, Fresh I.E.(out of Canada) Sanctified (also out of Canada) Saylah, (DJ D-Lite presents) The Remnant Compilation, Godsent, JCS, and a whole bunch of others I can’t even remember, it's a lot. Oh, and I have been producing now 8 years.

KH: Wow, that's a heavy list and the main reason I have dubbed you "Tony Stone of the South" (laughs)! But at the same time you still are the first and only Marv4Mobeats Productions! Let me switch it up and play a little word association with you bro. First up, New Orleans Saints...

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M4M: Trash

KH: (laughs) What about the defensive upgrades?

M4M: Need a whole lot!

KH: True, it’s a wait and see situation. New Orleans Hornets...

M4M: Losers... I’m sorry fam, it is what it is! (laughs)

KH: (laughs) Okay! Let's flip it... making beats with live instruments or synth/ software?

M4M: Honestly, I prefer both mang, whatever it takes to make good music. The thing is making them fit and sound good together.

KH: Good music is what that is, I hear you. How about Shrimp Po' Boy or Texas BBQ? (laughs)

M4M: I ain’t gonna lie dawg, I miss that shrimp po’ boy on french bread dressed with extra mayo and hot sauce (laughs)!!!

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KH: They don’t have any authentic cajun spots down that way? One of yall need to jump on that bro! They have a few spots up here in the DFW.

M4M: Actually, my church has two restaurants out here already called The Real New Orleans Style and A Lil’ Taste of the Real New Orleans Style. And they’re both doing good out here.

KH: You've been put on notice South Texas, go support! (laughs) I can't let the interview end without asking you who you have been listening to recently (regardless of genre)?

M4M: Mang I've been listening to J Drew Sheard (Kiki Sheard’s lil brother), Keith Green, Andre' Crouch- gospel singers from back in 70's- and J.Johnson a CLASSIC ALBUM.

KH: Already, I like that mix of styles! Let me ask you this bro, what do you want the readers to stand in prayer with you about?

M4M: That we will take advantage of the time God has giving us, meaning be about witnessing to the lost souls, use the platform God has given you glorify Him and not YOURSELF! And last but not least, get serious about laboring in your local church because, God will not bless you with a vineyard if you have not labored in someone else’s- meaning your Pastor's vineyard.

(l-r) Izreal, Marv, J.R.  and Sirviva

KH: Amen, the continued death to self keeps the Body moving in right relation to Christ, I can dig that. I feel you on laboring in your local body so you can be a blessing to the global Body. Let me close the interview by giving you a chance to speak freely about anything else on your mind or heart.

M4M: No doubt fam, I want to let other producers and artists know, always check your motives on why you do music. A lot of people probably don’t know that I produce full time. Yes, my desire was to always do what I’m doing but, most important I want to be available in my church. That’s my main reason I do it is to be free for ministry and my gift made room for me to do that. Be careful that pride doesn’t kick in because, it is always there waiting for the chance to come in. I have been down that road and let me be FIRST to tell you it is not fun to be broken, but it is necessary in order for God to humble you. I’m glad He dealt with me early on rather than now and I’m glad I learned that lesson to be able to help others not go down that route. I want to tell people, play your lane, to those that God has given opportunities to, go back and help another hungry, passionate producer or artist. In my 1 year and six months doing this fulltime, I’ve come to understand that this music is political. If you don’t know somebody then you won’t get the time of day to be heard. Now yes, I believe everything is done in God's timing but make yourself available to help someone else. That is what God has been having me to do is, to be an advocate for other producers, helping them get on other projects, etc. because I can’t produce it all... (laughs)! It’s time to get right church!

KH: Man, that's some wisdom dropped in detail right there! That's how you close an interview folks, nothing else can be added! Marv, on behalf of DaSouth.com, I give much appreciation for taking some time out and chopping it up. Let the people know your websites and how they can get in contact with you.

M4M: No mang thank you brother.Da South is what HHH needs. Yall give cats an opportunity that love God and that has a hunger for souls to be heard, unlike some other sites that I know of. You can hit up me at http://www.myspace.com/marv4mobeatsproductions and m4mproductions @ gmail.com. Let me send some shots out real quick! I want to send shots my group SoundMinds Music I have been the in house producer for them since the beginning that’s my immediate family. Be looking out for their album "Count the Cost" in the fall 09. My queen, my best friend next to Jesus (laughs), my wife Demaries she is my biggest fan, she bought my first drum machine. She is also working on an album. The first single is already out, You can check it out on my myspace. Co Hicks, Preston (these 2 are really close to me). My boy Levester White, he gave my first reasons program also a real good friend.He won Producer of The Year 2007,at the award show in Houston that year. My mang Shareef Chauncey for Just Advocate Management, my manager. Young Josh, J. Johnson, R-Swift, EP, the whole Cross Movement crew, we have a good working relationship and friendship, and mang everybody that’s hungry for the great commission- saving souls! Grace and peace.

KH: Amen, well it was good to let folk know that producers have something to say too!

M4M: No doubt brother because without a beat it is just a poem....