If you have been following Rolling Stallones right from the start until they released six successful albums, you will know the power that this group carries. Nick Marv is one of the major forces behind the success and strong character of Rolling Stallones, and after his long stint with the group, he decided to take on an alternative path and release his first solo with the album “Warrior in the Garden“. This project is packed; there’s no other best way to describe it. Its raw power is about paying homage to the roots of hip-hop while reinventing the sound through the meticulous Executive Production by long-time partner, Expertiz and the exceptional production style of Goji Rock.
Nick Marv is honestly a new artist for me, and as someone who’s only been a casual enjoyer of the hip-hop genre, I can’t deny the high-quality style of this artist. I couldn’t blame his fans if this album is a highly anticipated one, because if you’re someone who’s followed Rolling Stallones through their six album releases, this solo release may feel like a huge leap as Nick goes through changes while showcasing all the new music and style that’s been attempting to get out of his system.
Upon closer look, this project is not only meaningful but also potent; with the openings from the title track “Warrior in the Garden”, the music will hit you like a fiery storm. The massive wave of rock and hip-hop mix will surround your ears from the get-go, partnered with Nick’s clear and strong delivery that will surely straighten up your back in attention. It is intense, very unapologetic, cinematic, and bold—potentially a great soundtrack for an epic and powerful showdown for an action-packed film.
Following this is the track, “Animus”. I honestly love how this track was laid down; I like to call it a trap because you’ll be surprised by its brief jazzy intro, but then when the beat drops, there comes the gritty and rebellious vibe that will satisfy your high. I genuinely like how this track has to shift gears; it’s fun, and there’s no doubt that this is a banger.
One thing that is noticeable throughout this whole collection is the confidence of this artist in terms of performance and production, and one best example of that is this next track, “Back on the Case“. This track screams confidence with its strong narrative in the intro that immediately grabs your attention, and right off the bat, without giving you time to process what you’ve just heard, Nick goes off with his fiery and spitfire delivery of lines. It is indeed fierce, but it has a touch of class and theatrical flair brought by the trumpets and whatnots in the background.
You see, another thing that I like about this collection is the way Nick relates to the listeners through his songs and performance. “Space, Time, and Self” is a personal favorite because of the general meaning that I’ve picked up from the track, “What is your purpose of being here?”. The song perfectly encapsulates the idea of being lost and how to find yourself amidst the chaos and breakage; it is about picking up your broken pieces and building them up for yourself and by yourself once again.
With “Saturday in the City,” this track honestly is one of the top tracks on my list for this collection. This is a fun song for me as it celebrates New York City—its grit, its grace, its goodness, and its inspiring qualities. This meaning is also radiated through the jazzy backdrop featured in the song, which perfectly goes along with Nick’s delivery through each line that he throws.
Two things: production quality and overall performance. These are the things that are noticeably top-notch for this album! Songs like “The Action is in the Juice” and “Bone Marrow” channel strong and raw aggression as well as carry emotional weight that creates some kind of cinematic flair. Other songs such as “Grandiose Dopeness,” “Coup De Etat,” “Stomp and Circumstances,” “Nick Marv for Hire,” “Broken Words,” “Lonely at the Top,” “Wholesome as Fuck,” “Life Aquatic,” “In the Slow Lane,” “Wolf Nut,” and “I Want You Around” were also included on this collection. All these tracks were written and produced meticulously, so expect an all-equal, top-notch quality listen from all these.
Warrior in the Garden by Nick Marv sure proves that hip-hop is far from over in this generation. It has been revived, revamped, and honored by this album. So, here’s a treat for everyone. Warrior in the Garden by Nick Marv is now available for streaming on all your favorite streaming platforms! Stream it now and don’t forget to follow Nick Marv for more music updates from this awesome artist!
Follow Nick Marv
About the Author
Born and raised in one of the 7000-ish islands in the Philippines, a self-proclaimed professional fangirl, with a degree in Biology. She probably annoy the people around her so much for not speaking and speaking too much. A frustrated writer, yes!
