ABOUT MARQUIESE
Born Marquiese Davis on December 10, 1993, Marquiese McClendon grew up in a world of love, music, and resilience. Raised by his mother, who faced her own challenges but managed them with such strength and grace that Marquiese never saw any signs of struggle, he grew up feeling secure and supported. He also had a few father figures in his life who provided guidance and encouragement, helping shape the young man he would become. Marquiese’s childhood was filled with curiosity, happiness, and the sounds of hip hop, R&B, and pop.
At age ten, a friend rapped to him on the school playground, and Marquiese memorized every word. That moment ignited a lifelong passion for music. He built a makeshift studio in his bedroom with blankets, a tape recorder, and a stereo, beginning a journey that would shape his life. Around the same age, Marquiese met his biological father for the first time. Overjoyed to finally know his dad, he wanted to carry his father’s last name, so his mother changed his name to McClendon. But the relationship brought early tension: Marquiese was used to having his way with few rules, while his father insisted on structure and discipline. His father began teaching him morals, discipline, and principles, lessons Marquiese wasn’t ready to accept at the time; instead he created distance, not realizing until later how much he truly needed that guidance.
Despite his musical talent, Marquiese faced challenges. He formed a group called “Da Yungings” with friends, which started off as a music group but, after all the trouble they caused around town, eventually got labeled as a gang. By his early teens, the courts even labeled him a gang leader with hundreds of followers. Even amidst the chaos, Marquiese gained some brothers through all the trouble, forming deep bonds with those around him.
At 15, Marquiese was waived as an adult and sentenced to a maximum-security prison. It was a humbling period where he earned his GED and reflected on the path he had been on. He realized the violent reputation he had built did not define who he truly was.
Upon release at 17, Marquiese redirected his energy toward music, founding the pop group Loose Screws with Tanner and Briana. Focused on carefree, party-driven music, Loose Screws was refreshing for Marquiese, offering a positive and fun escape from his troubled past. The trio quickly became inseparable, calling themselves the “three best friends.” Loose Screws achieved national success—touring the U.S., building a devoted fan base, and attracting industry attention, including from a manager with Universal. Even as the youngest member, Marquiese naturally stepped into a leadership role. After five years the group pursued solo careers, giving Marquiese the freedom to fully develop his artistic voice.
Marquiese’s willingness to experiment led him to an unexpected but game-changing collaboration. He had been hearing about an emerging country artist from Indiana named Hosier and felt there was untapped potential in blending country with his own hip hop/R&B/pop influences. Acting on a hunch, Marquiese sent Hosier a message with a country/rap demo attached, telling him he believed they could do major things together. Hosier—who happened to be in Mississippi at the time—listened, then immediately called back. On the phone he said, “Stop what you’re doing — I’m on my way to you. We’re about to shoot a music video and do an album together.” Hosier followed through: they met, shot the video, and went into the studio to record. Their single “Country Boy Style” went viral, and the album they made together climbed to #17 on the country charts. Beyond commercial success, the collaboration forged a real friendship: two artists from different backgrounds discovering how much they had in common and how powerful genre-bending music could be.
Inspired by this success and the positive influence music could have, Marquiese co-founded Project Paradise with his cameraman Rubin and DJ Tr3Beatz. He wanted to prevent kids from going down the same path he went down and help them express themselves in a positive and healthy way. Project Paradise empowers youth through music and mentorship, offering hands-on training in rapping, singing, songwriting, production, engineering, photography, and videography. The program also addresses trauma awareness, conflict resolution, restorative practices, and life skills, combining therapeutic guidance with industry-focused internships. Watching kids grow and express themselves freely gave Marquiese clarity about his own purpose and reminded him why he started making music in the first place — to be heard, to connect, and to inspire.
That reflection carried over into his career. After the Hosier collaboration, he went back to experimenting with hip hop, R&B, and pop, the genres he had grown up loving. But thats when he noticed the fans really connected with his country-inspired songs. The fans responded just as loud, the momentum grew fast and the emotions landed whenever he leaned into country. That’s when it clicked: country music wasn’t just an experiment — it was another his lanes that he should take more serious.
With that realization, Marquiese made a decision that would define the next chapter of his career. He pulled his team together, determined to craft a sound that blended everything he had mastered — hip hop, R&B, and pop — but with country as the foundation. This wasn’t about following a trend; it was about embracing who he was, where his artistry resonated most, and building a new wave of country music that reflected both his story and his vision for the future.
Today, Marquiese McClendon stands as more than an artist. He is a mentor, innovator, and leader, turning his past struggles into lessons for the next generation and his creative risks into new possibilities for music. He has found his peace and is letting God work through him, guiding both his life and his art. From the playground rhymes that first sparked his journey, to the trials of his youth, to the worldwide stage of country music, his story is proof that no mistake is final and no dream is too big. With Project Paradise guiding the youth and his groundbreaking sound reshaping genres, Marquiese is writing a legacy built on resilience, purpose, and the power of staying true to yourself.
