At Stone Groove with Marcus Blake

© Pamela Wasabi / MFb

Marcus Blake is one of those characters that, the first time you see him, you immediately want to know who he is. He is Marcus Blake, a soft-spoken but wise-speaking man, and the host of Stone Groove, the Tuesday night party at The Vagabond. I met up with Marcus at the Tuesday night dance party to see if I could find out what makes this local fashion icon tick.

What are you wearing tonight?

Vintage glasses, where [from] I don’t know; I have had these forever. The pink shirt is a Polo and the gray sweater is a Lacoste; pants, they are thrift from Miami, the white shoes [are] from Steve Maden.

You have a very peculiar way of dressing, where is your style derived from?

Is just what I feel more comfortable in. Right now I can say some of my fashion style is very Miami Vice, lots of pastels – blue, pink and white combination.

What’s fashion for you?

© Pamela Wasabi / MFbSelf decoration. You gotta leave your house, you gotta decorate yourself.

What type of artist are you?

I do not consider myself an artist. I’m more of a very creative and inspired person. Inspired by anything, and because of that inspiration I can create something artistic. Is not like I’m going to make art for other people to like, is just my way of expression.

How long have you been involved with Miami’s underground scene?

Since there was an underground scene. Oh man, I believe in 2000, late 98-99.

How did you make your way in?

I was a fashion designer, cutting clothes, making patterns, selling my clothes. I did stuff that I couldn’t find, that was the scene back then. Then, I started painting on my clothes, so I started painting. Then I started writing on my clothes, so I started writing, became a poet … and then more things started to manifest, like events, but all related to fashion. Fashion is my core. I took the fashion aspect and started to do my shows

My shows were… something from another world, more of performance art. I pushed my mind as far as I can push my creativity. Everyone asked, what is he gonna do next?

That is why Stone Groove is such a show, it’s all about the show, its entertaining, and is like a fashion show, all about the timing.

Define underground culture…

Is the culture that the people above ground don’t know of. Everything starts underground.

Like a metaphor; It’s really the seed of everything and then when it brakes onto the surface it explodes.

How long have you been writing?

Over ten 10 years. Always poetry.

What’s your main purpose when sharing your thoughts and feelings with others?

I think, first is expressing myself but in the same time is expressing yourself for someone that can not express itself. Is to inspire other people that can’t or don’t want to. It’s to inspire, to be open. It’s as free as possible.