Marcus Hopson (born July 18, 1985), better known by his stage name
and alter ego Hopsin, is an American rapper, music video director,
hip hop producer, singer and actor from Panorama City, Los Angeles,
California. Hopsin has gained moderate to high popularity on YouTube,
where many of his songs accompanied with music videos are uploaded,
most remarkably "Sag My Pants", uploaded in October 2010,
which as of February 2012 has over nine million views. In 2007, he
was signed to deceased rapper Eazy-E's record label Ruthless Records,[1]
and has since founded his own record label Funk Volume, in 2009.[2]
Hopsin currently has released two studio albums along with a mixtape;
the debut album Gazing At The Moonlight through Ruthless Records,
Raw and Haywire (with SwizZz) through Funk Volume. Hopsin is often
referred to as the modern day Slim Shady due to his music style and
video production.
Hopsin received acclamations in hip hop magazines and Internet publications,[3]
and was described as the new face of West Coast hip hop. He has spoken
out against mainstream rap's positive portrayal of alcohol and drugs
and often takes shots at mainstream rappers in his songs. He also
speaks of the illuminati, by making them the reason why he is not
mainstream.
His debut album Gazing at the Moonlight was released October 26,
2009. His second album RAW (a reference to the Saw series) was released
as a digital download on iTunes and as physical CD on his label's
website on November 19, 2010. On October 8, 2010, Hopsin released
a music video for "Sag My Pants" on YouTube mocking Drake,
Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Lupe Fiasco, and Eazy E's wife along
with her label, Ruthless Records. As of 27 February, 2012, the video
has received over 9,030,000 views on YouTube. Hopsin has worked with
multi-platinum recording artist B.o.B and independent rapper Tech
N9ne on Tech N9ne's album All 6's and 7's. After that guest appearance
he released the fourth installment of his "Ill Mind of Hopsin"
video series, which received over eight million views. It heavily
dissed Tyler the Creator and had some shots of a parody of his Yonkers
video. He will also be featured on R.A. The Rugged Man's new album
and will be on the next Twiztid album.[4] On October 31, 2011, Hopsin
was featured in a mobile battle rap game, Battle Rap Stars by Jump
Shot Media.[5] On January 22nd, 2012, Hopsin landed a spot on MTV2's
"Sucker Free Sunday" by being featured in Tech N9ne's music
video for "Am I a Psycho". Hip Hop superstar B.o.B was also
featured in the video. Knock Madness, Hopsin's upcoming album due
for a mid 2012 release, is backed by his lead single "Hop Madness",
due for release within the first two weeks of March 2012. The "Hop
Madness" music video was released March 15, 2012.
In 2012 Hopsin was featured on the cover of XXL as part of their
annual "Top 10 Freshmen list" along with fellow rappers
French Montana, Machine Gun Kelly, Danny Brown and Roscoe Dash.[6]
[edit] Struggle with Ruthless Records
Hopsin left Ruthless Records, owned by Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Wright,
after lack of support and financial compensation. Hopsin expressed
anger, saying Wright didn't know what she was doing, did not take
advice and had terrible marketing schemes. Hopsin talked about his
first album Gazing at the Moonlight stating it was released without
his consent and that he was not even able to listen to the mastered
version of his album before release. [7] Hopsin finally left the label
as Tomica said "He doesn't do his job as an artist". [8]
Hopsin later started a partnership with Dame Ritter and founded the
independent label Funk Volume. SwizZz, who is Ritter's brother, was
the first artist to be signed to Funk Volume. Released projects on
Funk Volume include Hopsin's critically acclaimed sophomore album
RAW, as well as mixtapes Haywire and Haywire II. In November 2011
Hopsin signed artists Dizzy Wright and DJ Hoppa.
[edit] Acting career
After making a guest appearance in the film Fame starring Kelsey
Grammer,[9] Hopsin's had a starring role in the independent musical
film entitled Bomb The World in which he plays a rapper named Face.
These were his first major acting appearances since he played a minor
role in an episode of That's so Raven in 2002.
[edit] Discography
Studio albums
2009: Gazing at the Moonlight
2010: RAW
2012: Knock Madness
Mixtapes
2009: Haywire (with SwizZz)
2012: "Haywire 2" (with SwizZz)
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Film Roles
[edit] Television Roles
Title Year Role Other notes
Fame 2009 Senior Rapper Supporting Role
Bomb The World 2010 Face Starring Role
Max Keeble's Big Move 2001 Pizza Parlor Guy Cameo
Title Year Role Other notes
That's So Raven 2002 Guy #2 Cameo Role
1 Episode To See or Not to See
[10]
[edit] Video Games
2011: Battle Rap Stars for iPhone and Android