The Undisputed Heavy Weight
11/09/2007

The Undisputed Heavy Weight
Waterbury’s Own Musical Prodigy, Marcus Allen, Produces for R&B Superstar, Ne-yo

By Eboyne’ Jackson
“I just wonder…. Do you ever think of me, anymore…..Do you?” The lyrics to Ne-yo’s bittersweet ballad, “Do You,” was blasting in the car next to the SUV I was sitting in. The girl on the passenger side was swaying her head from side to side, mouthing the lyrics with her eyes closed. Her body language seemed to silently scream, “That’s my song!”

Amazed by the entrancing effect that the song had on the young woman, I turned my attention back towards the man sitting in the driver’s seat, expecting to see a smug, almost triumphant-looking expression on his face. But what I saw was anything but. Marcus Allen remained poised and calm, almost too calm, for someone who was one of the contributors to Ne-yo’s hit ballad, “Do You,” the very song that was just playing on the radio.

Wearing a black tee with an Enyce hologram emblazed on the front, along with dark denim jeans, and a fresh pair of Air forces, Marcus Allen looked relaxed and confident. Completely undaunted by the fact that he and his partner, Joe Sparkman, produced hit singer/songwriter, Ne-yo’s latest single, “Do You,” which peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Top R&B Single’s Chart; undaunted about the fact that he and Joe Sparkman donned the name the Heavy Weights, and were signed immediately, on the spot, by Ne-yo’s request, to his label, Compound Entertainment, to be his “personal producers.”

Internationally known hit singer/songwriter Ne-yo endorses the Heavy Weights without hesitation. “When I work with a producer, I look for versatility,” Ne-yo said. “There is a big difference between a producer and a musician. A producer is limited to only one sound, whereas a true musician can go beyond one specific sound; and to me the Heavy Weights are true musicians because they are limitless when it comes to creating various musical sounds.”

For most, this type of success would cultivate an ego as large as the height of the success, but for Marcus Allen this type of success keeps him grounded. “I don’t fix my eyes on any of it,” Marcus said, “The success and all of that, there’s still much more work to be put in. I am in this business for the love of making music, good music, that’s where my heart is.”

With a skillful maneuver into the parking lot, we reached the destination at hand--The Guitar Center. This was the place where Marcus Allen would welcome the Observer into his world. Here he shared his story on how he came into the music industry, and how he and Joe Sparkman became known as the dynamic duo, the Heavy Weights.

Inside the Guitar Center Marcus Allen was like a kid in a candy store, looking and touching every piece of equipment and every keyboard he laid eyes on. He ran his fingers so quickly across the keys that it looked as if his fingers were gliding on water. A look of contentment appeared on his face with every note; his immense adoration for music was plain to see.

Hailing from Waterbury, Marcus Allen at a very young age felt an instant connection with music. His love for music manifested from his early childhood experiences in the church. His father, the late Pastor John Allen, founder of Power of Faith Outreach Ministries International, was a major influence in Marcus’ life--musically and spiritually.

“When I was eight years old my father noticed how captivated I was with the organists at my church,” he said, “so one day he came home with my first electronic keyboard. I remember it like it was yesterday. He stayed up with me all night watching me fiddle with the keyboard, trying to play, and he told me that I could do anything as long as I seek God and trust Him in all that I do.”

This lesson allowed Marcus Allen not only to learn his craft, but also his faith. “In the beginning I began playing small compositions on the organ and the piano,” Marcussaid. “I wasn’t sure if I was any good, and others thought the same thing, but I just kept playing anyway because I remembered what my father had said.”

His mother, Iris Allen, believed that Marcus had the ability to become whatever he aspired to be. “He had such determination, even as a little boy, you knew he was destined for greatness.”

Gradually Marcus began playing things by ear, and as the years progressed, his talent for playing the piano increased, and he was able to play full songs and pick up more complex musical forms. But it wasn’t until 1997 when he met John Mobilio, the music teacher at Wilby High School, that Marcus Allen began to blossum. Mr. Mobilio introduced his students to a state-grant funded digital music class known as the “Piano Lab.” It was in this class that Mr. Mobilio introduced Marcus to MIDI sequencing, and taught him how to create original compositions using modern recording concepts and jazz theory.

“Marcus had no experience working with music on computers, but he took to the creative experience like a match to gasoline,” Mobilio said. “Marcus’ inborn musical talent was immediately evident--we had many discussions about chord structure and song form--we shared ideas in a way that I have never experienced with another student.”

Mr. Mobilio fed Marcus’ “voracious musical appetite,” and to this day Marcus acknowledges him as being “the most influential force” that drew him into the world of music production. Throughout his four years at Wilby Mobilio continued to expand Marcus’ musical horizons, and he began to develop his own unique sound influenced by gospel music, piano jazz legend Oscar Peterson, Latin music and Hip Hop.

After high school, feeling somewhat unsure of his destiny, Marcus battled with fears of applying to the prestigious music school, Berklee College of Music. Finding himself at a crossroads, he opted to apply at the University of New Haven, where he took classes in music business and music sound recording. It was at U.N.H. that Marcus met his partner, Joe Sparkman, known as “Jojo Beats.”

“I kept hearing about this kid named Jojo Beats-- every one said that he made really sick beats,” Marcus laughed, “Then when we met, Joe was like, ‘I kept hearing about this kid named the Allen Boy who plays the piano!”

An instantaneous musical connection formed. Sparkman was a classically trained pianist from New Hampshire who had the amazing ability to infuse classical music and R&B together. “When we first met we started playing the piano together in one of the halls at school,” Sparkman said. “We were both impressed by each other, and from that day on, we became known as Jojo Beats and the Allen boy.”

Through frequent collaborations they realized that producing music professionally was what they wanted to do, so they began going on the road, meeting with A&R’s, and various national and local artists. At the end of their sophomore year Marcus and Joe went their separate ways due to financial troubles. Throughout the course of their separation, they continued to work together despite the distance.

“We were serious about making our music,” Sparkman said. “I mean, we would collaborate on music together through our computers. We actually linked our computers together so that we would be able to work together. We were constantly sending each other our tracks over the Internet.”

In 2002, Marcus and Joe embarked on a business venture when they met local entrepreneur, Shahnar Jones. Together they started a recording studio known as Rock Boddum, which was first located on Bronson St. in an attic apartment in Waterbury. They gutted out the apartment to create a studio setting. Rock Boddum later relocated to downtown Waterbury, on 100 Grand St., in the building above Subway.

At Rock Boddum, Marcus and Joe worked with many talented local artists such as JusMula, Deon Mose, Unique, and many others. It was there that they came into contact with a few hit singer/songwriters, one in particular, Mr. Andre Deyo, of TuneSmith Advancements (TS.A.), who wrote Jennifer Lopez’s #1 hit singles, “Jenny From the Block” and “I’m Glad” as well as for many other popular notables such as Genuine and Monica. Deyo is also a Waterbury resident.

“I had the opportunity to work with the Allen Boy and Jojo Beats on projects for Nicole Redd, one of the artists signed under my production company, TS.A.,” Deyo said. “We also worked on projects for Antonio from Aftermath and Tasha Ramos from Arista/Star Trak. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better team to have worked with. Marcus and Joe had an intense work habit that matched my own, and their talent and humility was undeniable. The Heavy Weights are the future.”

While working together at Rock Boddum, Marcus and Joe landed their first professional placement for R&B girl-group, Allure. After the Allure project was completed. Following the success of the placement with Allure, unfortunate circumstances caused Rock Boddum to shut down. Both Marcus and Joe went their separate ways while still remaining amicable and musical collaborators. Marcus and Joe went back on the “grind” in 2004 after a one-year hiatus. They stayed holed up in their rooms, in and out of studios, trying to produce the “next sound.” At a prior meeting with a local artist in 2001, Marcus and Joe were introduced to a music promoter named Shaun Wetterddurn, and his best friend, Tishawn Gayle, who was at the time, the Vice President of Marketing at Def Jam Records. Marcus and Joe began to submit tracks to Gayle under their name Jojo Beats and the Allen Boy. They were searching for a name, and were about to get their big break. Upon building a relationship with Shaun, Marcus and Joe were invited to attend a concert for world re-known rapper, Ludacris. At the concert, they were allowed to go backstage where they met Ludacris.

“Shaun told us we needed to step up our game,” Marcus said. “He was telling us we needed to work on our music more and pay attention to detail, and to listen to the music that was playing on the radio so we could get our music out there.”

Marcus and Joe ok that advice and continued to submit tracks to Tishawn Gayle at Def Jam. Finally, in 2005, not too long after the fall of Rock Boddum, Tishawn called Marcus and Joe to come out for a meeting regarding a new songwriter named Ne-yo. Ne-yo’s unique name derived from being known as the “kid who writes like he’s pulling words out of a matrix,” like Neo pulled numbers out in the movie, the Matrix.

In New York City, Marcus and Joe met with both of Ne-yo’s managers, Tishawn and Tango, co-founder of Compound Entertainment. It was in that meeting that everything changed--Tango offered Marcus and Joe a deal that would enable them to work with a lot of major artists in the music industry. Ne-yo’s status as being one of the top songwriters in the music industry made him a hot commodity due to the fact that many artists wanted to work with him. This guaranteed almost definite placements if Marcus and Joe signed the dotted line, and worked for it. And work they did. In October 2005, Marcus and Joe signed to Compound Entertainment, and were managed under Tishawn Gayle.

“One day we were standing in front of the studio, ready to go in and work with Ne-yo” Marcus said, “and a gentleman named Yuson came downstairs and said, ‘Ya’ll are the Heavy Weights. Joe and I kind of looked at each other and we were like, ‘we are?”

Joe said, “We thought we were given the name of the Heavy Weights because of our physique. But later on we were told we were given our name because of our ability to make ‘heavy hitting tracks.’

An example of the Heavy Weights’ ability to create “hard, heavy hitting music,” is exemplified in Ne-yo’s latest single, “Do You,” because of their ability to incorporate symphonic orchestrated sounds, such as strings and various types of orchestrational forms along with smooth R&B. Their sound truly is unique. “Do You” appears on Ne-yo’s sophomore album, “Because of You,” which Ne-yo acclaims is an album ’that reflects the black, white, and gray areas of a relationship.”

“Whenever I get into the studio with the Heavy Weights they’re able to deliver,” Ne-yo said. “I can sit down with them and say I’m feeling something jazzy, and they’ll give it to me. These guys are truly talented musicians. Marcus plays the keys, and Joe plays the guitar. I wanted to create a team that would get the job done, and the Heavy Weights definitely get the job done.”

Like Ne-yo, the Heavy Weights agree that their musical connection is indisputable. “When we first went into the studio with Ne-yo to work on our first song, which was Heather Headley’s the “Letter,” Joe said, “Marcus and I were a little nervous. No one was talking, but when we all sat down and got to work the nervousness faded away. We had an instant chemistry. Now when we get into the studio we work and it just feels like family.”

“Whenever we collaborate with Ne-yo it’s a magical collaboration,” Marcus said, “Ne-yo is definitely a living legend because of how fast and thorough he writes his songs. He references his own songs; no one can get the vision of a track like Ne-yo can. He is a very melodic writer and we all work together so well.”

The magic in the studio must be undisputable-- since signing with Compound Entertainment in 2005 as Ne-yo’s “personal producers,” the Heavy Weights have a very impressive discography of works they’ve produced for songs written by Ne-yo, such as: Heather Headley “the Letter,” Christina Milian “Y’all Ain’t Nothing,” Rihanna “Happy,” (a song for an Estee Lauder /Clinique advertisement ;) Julie Roberts “Happy” ( Estee Lauder/Clinque); Paula Deanda “Back up off Me;” Joe “It’s On You;” Corbin Bleu “I Get Lonely;” Full of Harmony “Brand New Day;” Snoop Dogg “Put This Thang On You,” (unreleased) as well Ne-yo’s “Do You,” and “Spotlight.”

The Heavy Weights have no intention of stopping; they intend to remain a powerful force in the music industry. Currently, they are scheduled to produce for an up-coming project for Jaheim, and were personally contacted through Darrel Jones from Atlantic Records who stated that “’the Heavy Weights get it!’”

Recently the Heavy Weights recorded a song with Nicole Scherzinger, from the Pussycat Dolls, called “Save Me from Myself,” which was originally created for Britney Spears. This melodic track is slated to debut on Nicole’s first solo album, Her Name is Nicole, on November 6th, and is destined to be a hit. In addition, they are scheduled to work with Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, among many other eminent artists on their up-coming projects. They even have an endorsement deal with Open Labs, a company that specializes in creating advanced technological keyboards that are every musician’s dream. Currently, the Heavy Weights are featured on Open Lab’s website, openlabs.com, alongside megastar producers Timbaland and Polow Da Don. They even just launched a brand new website: heavyweightsmusic.com, that lists their credits and exposes their love of music, and making good music.

Aside from music production, the Heavy Weights have added entrepreneur to their repertoire. This month they have launched a user-friendly website, whichtones.com. Designed as a user-collaborative website, Which Tones will offer free services to its users — artists will have the liberty to upload their songs, ring tones, and wallpapers, and video gurus will be able to upload their video games and share them with the world at absolutely no cost to them. Set aside from the music, the Heavy Weights have started a non-profit organization known as Whatever, Inc., an organization based off of motivational speaking, and mentorship centered on faith; as well as Touch the Sky with Shahnar Jones, from Waterbury, which is based on providing inner-city children alongside the education system, to reinforce the arts.

“It’s funny,” Marcus said, “I guess producing music was what I really wanted to do because when I look back and read my high school yearbook, under ambition it says I aspired to become a record producer. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work with artists who are legends, people who have sold millions and millions of records. Both my partner and I acknowledge that because of God we are where we are today. We’re not in this business just to become successful; we’re here to touch lives not only with our music, but with our hearts.”

John Mobilio, Marcus’ music teacher from Wilby, said, “I am so proud of the Heavy Weights. I’m as proud of Marcus as if he were my own son. Marcus has been given an amazing gift; he makes a point of coming to visit to share his enthusiasm and his talent with my students. The students are in awe of him, and I can’t wait until he shares his joy and faith through his gospel music. I think the world deserves to get a taste of that!”

Pastor Vance of Christian Fellowship Community Center in Waterbury said he believes “that everything that Marcus has done has only touched the surface, he will be so great that he will not even recognize it, because he is so modest.”
Ne-yo agrees. “The Heavy Weights are definitely on their way to bigger and better things, they’re moving up on the charts. Look out y’all, Compound’s taking over!”

Through out the hardships, from working in no heat in the winter and no air in the summer in Rock Boddum Studio, to separating due to financial difficulties, the Heavy Weights never gave up. When people told them their tracks were “whack,” and merely wrote them off as has-beens before they even began, the Heavy Weights persevered.
Hard work and passion has paid off.

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