Marlon UnLearn Richardson

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In an era dimmed and darkened by artists who focus on commercial success more than societal impact, UnLearn has been grinding to shine his light in the name of all things Hip Hop, the music, the culture and the movement. As an Emcee, Poet, Actor and Activist, this New York native has garnered a reputation for his energy and keen ability to grab listener’s attention with charismatic delivery and soulfully inspired lyrical content. He appeals to old and new fans alike as a wordsmith of the people, focused creating "ghetto anthems”, in order to become one of the louder and more influential voices in Hip Hop. UnLearn started free styling and writing rhymes as early as age 9, as a way to make sense of his unique upbringing. As a child, he was raised in Washington Heights Manhattan by his Dominican father’s White exgirlfriend. After years of seeing the woman who raised him stuck in an abusive relationship, along with the constant threat of violence due to his step father’s life in the drug trade, UnLearn decided to move in with his biological mother. As a true student of the game, in a performing arts high school for at risk kids, UnLearn interned for different record labels and was able to sit in studio sessions for mainstream acts like Fat Joe and the late Big Pun. Along with recording songs with underground legends Jean Grae and Pumpkin Head, UnLearn took the best from both dimensions of Hip Hop, all the while, learning about the world through his neighborhood; reconciling his life experiences with his own studies in history, politics and religion to create his substantive, but accessible style of lyricism. UnLearn began receiving some serious buzz and attention when he was given the chance to join the 2003 Lyricist Lounge Club Series Tour, opening up for the group Boot Camp Click. The unique approach to his live show, in addition to positive audience responses allowed him to extend his stint on the tour, continuing on the road for another two months performing spot dates with acts like Young Bloodz, Dead Prez, Killa Mike, Killa Priest and Hip Hop Icon, Big Daddy Kane. Later that year, owing thousands of dollars in back rent, UnLearn was evicted from his New York apartment and moved to California. In the Bay Area, UnLearn would reinvent himself and the message in his music. His new found growth and perspective would manifest itself in his 2005 release of “Confessions of A Dangerous Mind”, his first mix tape project released via the internet for free download. The project was well received by a number of Hip Hop Web magazines and solidified UnLearn’s presence on the internet. In addition to being a featured artist on a slew of Hip Hop web sites, he would later begin a Bi-weekly journal on in addition to contributing to the site as an Essayist and Op-Ed writer. Most recently, while preparing a new free mix tape download series, “Intelligent Design Volumes 1-3”, he has partnered with legendary Hip Hop producer Domingo and his Deranged Music imprint to ink a digital distribution deal with INgrooves/Universal in order to release his debut album, “The UnLearning: A Diamond In The Rough.” Though Hip Hop is wrought with many voices, UnLearn is choosing to be the conscientious voice of reason. He hopes that his music can add something new to the collective consciousness and internal dialogue of Hip Hop culture and urban communities at large. UnLearn aims to create social change by inviting his listeners into his world to witness his own changes and, in the process, achieve the cultural impact that will lead his audience into a new age of thinking. “Let the UnLearning begin…”

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