Beats by Gee

155th Armored Brigade Combat Team
Story by Spc. Jovi Prevot

Date: 08.04.2018
Posted: 08.04.2018 07:17
News ID: 287256
Beats by Gee

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Even with increased workloads and often long hours, deployments are a great way to work on one’s self. One Soldier viewed this deployment as a chance to hone his craft.

Spc. Marqueze McGee, a motor transport operator assigned to Company A, 106th Support Battalion, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, is an amateur music producer with dreams of a career in the music industry.

“I’m a military guy, an 88M, I also produce beats,” said McGee.

A native of Hollandale, Miss., McGee has been creating music since his early teens.

“It’s a hobby of mine, I started in middle school, I started taking it serious about two years ago,” he said.

For the Tougaloo College student, inspiration comes from various places.

“Sometimes a melody, I hear in my head and I play it out on the keyboard and go from there,” said McGee.

McGee has no formal musical training, but he is still able to play melodies on his synthesizer.

“I actually don’t have any training, I play the piano by ear,” said McGee.

He works tirelessly on his off time to produce music.

“I try to make at least five beats a day,” he said.

Though an artist himself, he is focused on his customer.

“I try to think of the artist first,” he said. “I don’t even name my beats, I name them “untitled’ then a number. I don’t want to influence their song just inspire it.”

But every artist has influences, and McGee is no different.

“[Some of my] influences [are] Big K.R.I.T., he’s a Mississippi guy,” he said. “Atlanta artists and producers, some New York like Nas and Jay-Z, those type of guys I am a big 90s Fan.”

Though just starting out professionally he has sold more than a hundred beats and has a dream list of artists to one day work with.

“My dream artists to work with is Starlito and Don Trip, they based out of Tennessee,” said McGee.

They are mostly underground, but I feel if I reach their level, I’ll make a big accomplishment to myself and reach the goals I wanted, he said.

This deployment has given McGee not only the time work on his music, but also the money to invest in new equipment.

“I am actually waiting on a new keyboard to get here right now,” he said explaining how his current equipment is nearly worn out.

Once his deployment is complete, McGee will return to his home in Jackson, Miss. to complete his degree and continue to pursue his dream of a career in the music industry.