Jaron Marquis
Birth nameJaron Marquis Garrett
Also known asJ. Marquis
Born (1983-07-08) July 8, 1983
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • actor
  • playwright
  • entrepreneur
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2007–present
LabelsUrban Genius Records
Websitejaronmarquis.com

Jaron Marquis Garrett (born July 8, 1983), better known by his stage name Jaron Marquis or J. Marquis, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur and investor based in Los Angeles. He co-founded Dreamapolis, an Indianapolis-based start-up accelerator, and the independent record label Urban Genius Entertainment. As an actor he has starred in film roles that include Furious 7 and Straight Outta Compton.

Early life

Marquis was born in Indianapolis and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 2001. He received a bachelor of arts degree with concentrations in business and pastoral sciences from Indiana State University in 2005. Then he moved to Chicago and obtained an MBA from Benedictine University.[1][2]

From the age of 12, when he made and sold jewelry, Marquis tried various entrepreneurial ideas. He started a theatrical production company at Indiana University. After graduating, he operated an indoor advertising company, started and sold a painting firm, worked in college admissions, and owned part of a telecommunications company.[2]

Music career

Marquis began his rap career as an underground battle rapper in the late 1990s.[3] He booked gigs for his rapper friends at Arsenal Tech High School, where he and his friends would organize and participate in local rap battles around the state of Indiana.[2]

After a decade-long hiatus in which he developed entrepreneurial ventures and investments, Marquis reentered the music industry in 2014 under the name J. Marquis with the release of a mixtape entitled Soul of A Genius.[4] The mixtape included the singles "We All Rant" and "Just Like Water" featuring Lauryn Hill.[5][6]

In 2016, he began performing and recording under his actual name Jaron Marquis with the release of the single "Applause".[7] Marquis described his music as "college dropout Kanye with a touch of Janelle Monáe."[8]

Business career

Marquis founded a company, JJ Marquis Investment Group LLC, and started doing real estate full-time in 2006. A year later, he made a $30 million project for a 25-story apartment tower to be built on run-down properties in downtown Indianapolis. However, the project never materialized and construction plans were canceled.[1][9]

He was an OnyxFest finalist in 2012.[10] He directed Betsy on E. 10th Street, a play by the Indianapolis Urban Theatre and Dance Company, a theatrical production company which he co-founded. He also played one of the main roles. The play was praised for drawing its story from the life of a Vietnam veteran and ex-Black Panther.[11][12]

In 2011, Marquis also co-founded Dreamapolis, an Indianapolis-based start-up accelerator and seed-funding source for start-ups, social entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators. It helped urban entrepreneurs start businesses by connecting them with critical tools and resources. Dreamapolis held entrepreneur workshops and crowdfunding events, organized business summer camps for youth, and invested in creative Indianapolis ideas.[13][14][2][15]

Marquis launched the independent record label Urban Genius Entertainment in 2013 and began recording new music in 2014.[16]

Private life

Marquis is married and has three daughters. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.[8]

Discography

Singles

Year Title[7] Label
2016 Applause Urban Genius Entertainment
Baby Yeah
2017 That's My N***a

Mixtapes

Year Title
2014 Soul of a Genius

Filmography

Year Title[17] Role Notes
2007 Girl Crazy Bobby
2010 Antihero Stranger short
2015 HitRecord on TV himself also: composer and musician
Furious 7 L.A. Street Racer uncredited
Straight Outta Compton T-shirt vendor uncredited

References

  1. 1 2 Cory Schouten (September 9, 2007). "Young developer, towering dream for downtown Indianapolis". Indiana Economic Digest. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Urban biz accelerator giving leg up to startups". Indianapolis Business Journal (through TMC.net). March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Jaron Marquis Garrett biography". IMDb. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Mixtape: Soul of A Genius". Genius. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Just Like Water Re-plugged J.Marquis featuring Lauryn Hill". YouTube. August 21, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  6. ↑ "We All Rant by J. Marquis". Spotify. November 21, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Jaron Marquis". iTunes. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Trish Wallace (September 24, 2016). "Spotlight Interview: Jaron Marquis". Purple Bars. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  9. ↑ Cory Schouten (October 3, 2007). "R.I.P. Marquis Tower?". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  10. ↑ "OnyxFest". Indyfringe. 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  11. ↑ Scott Shoger (May 23, 2012). "Thoughts on Onyx Fest". Nuvo. Issuu. p. 19. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Starts 18 Friday: Onyx Fest". Nuvo. Issuu. May 16, 2012. p. 16. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Dreamapolis presents 'PitchFeast'". Indianapolis Recorder. October 19, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  14. ↑ Whitney Watt (April 29, 2013). "Q+A: Jaron Garrett, Co-Founder of Dreamapolis". Pattern. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  15. ↑ Stacy M. Brown (January 23, 2015). "'Selma' reaches both young and old". The Baltimore Times. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Urban Genius Entertainment". IMDb. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Jaron Marquis Garrett". IMDb. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
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