Marco Plus Expertly Exorcises Demons in “Marco Plus Vs. Tha Underworld”
“I’m tryna make more money off punchlines”
Manifestation through words. At the rate it’s going this prophecy is bound to be fulfilled sooner than later as Marco Plus speaks it aloud with gravitas early into his newest project, “Marco Plus vs Tha Underworld.”
Our brains aren’t tuned in to Scott Pilgrim this time. Instead we have Atlanta native Marco Plus versus the entire (under)world. And the high road isn’t quite the audial steps his vocals walk us through. He’s stooping to whatever level of Hell necessary with enough firepower to turn Skypiea into Atlantis. But in reality, it’s Marco vs his demons and any weapon formed against him & his loved ones on the expedition to achieving his goals of being the GOAT, not just great. If we grade him at the face value of this project and this project alone… he’s hitting every target in his sights.
Marco Plus very clearly spent some time making sure “Marco Plus vs Tha Underworld” was as good as he could get it in this moment of life. With his talents, that is a modest way to say, “this thing is pretty damn solid.”
As always, a brief disclaimer for the words you’re about to read:
I’m just a man. These words are just some thoughts. We were privileged to get this project a bit early so this is based on many, many, many (more than twelve) listening experiences. And at the time of writing this in August of 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles are still champs + Jalen Hurts is a Super Bowl MVP. So be cool, be one with the sounds around you, and feel some feelings with me real quick.
I’m a simple man. It really warms my Hip-Hop heart when a project can deliver a fire intro (and outro). Makes re-listening 10 times easier. “Opening” vividly brings listeners into the fires that surround Marco so far in life and how he’s attempted to push through them. BUT only briefly so that it feels like the quickest glimpse of where his mind is to start this project.
Just as important as a good intro is a solid follow-up. Insert “Parlay” into the arsenal of heat all over this cache of songs. This is seemingly a direct answer to the skit of arguing at the beginning of the intro in which Marco Plus says he doesn’t have the time if it’s not going to help him progress or improve his quality of life. Whether that pertains to a significant other or not. “By Hell or high water” is the sentiment that comes to mind.
“The switch like an accessory, they rock it like they copped it from Neiman’s”
Honestly, if you’re a hater looking for a lowlight in here then be prepared to leave disappointed and blinded by the way each song is filled with pockets of sunshine. Fans, on the other hand, are rewarded with some worthwhile art pulled from the darkest recesses of Tha Underworlds that Marco must contest with in his life.
There was a point I had “Cool It Out” featuring Kai Ca$h & Jiggs on repeat so long it felt like an endless loop I’d never escape from (nor would want to). Rarely is there a 3-man team up that goes as cohesively as Marco Plus curates here. No hook necessary. What we get instead is audio rips of some good quotes about being successful in a competitive industry. At the same time, it’s hard to do anything subpar on this beat by Latrell James. Sounding like a scene where 3 mafioso characters are vibing late night, roundtable style in some dingy hole-in-the-wall, taking turns regaling detailed stories about the demons they eradicated to get to this point in their careers. This project might have at least 3 perfect songs; this is one of them.
Another being the other song with guest vocals, and one of the singles, “Out My Way” featuring boom, boom, boom, Sminoshima. This one arrives after some comedic relief with the skit prior. “You tried your best but ain’t no getting over me” so get out the way. There are other points in the album that Marco interweaves melodic rapping over barring up but this one employs it best through the whole song. And to no surprise, Smino does that well too.
Add in “Fallin’” and you get an immaculate 3-song stretch. A song that may seem like an outlier at first from the fact it speaks more specifically on communication issues that arise within an intimate relationship but if you account that the first few seconds of this album are him arguing with his old lady then .. you know .. they call that immersive storytelling. Or in the WWE world, long term booking. One of the demons Marco battles, and we all have at one point, are the thoughts that arise from those same disagreements.
The following stretch leading up to the amazing outro is decent enough. Nothing fully stands out, good or bad. Just a consistent stretch of raps that hold the artist’s vision in mind. Can’t be mad at it but don’t plan to pull any of these songs away for later either. It’s a case of “fits well in the narrative but I would lean towards skipping if it came on randomly without the context of the whole body of work.” Could just be preference ‘cus I’m sure others may find their favorites from the whole album in this same group of songs. I guess it depends on the demons you deal with daily.
All of this is set to the production by himself and many collaborators including a handful of contributions from Turk Money, a couple joints from Jalen Heyward, Latrell James, Saint Kay & ALFii, plus other talented minds. This is the definition of a project that pulls inspiration from a unified sound. Each song instills a vibe of “you gon’ hear me out today cus the souf got somethin’ to say” through the dimmest lit areas of your own thoughts. Whether it’s sample heavy, bass heavy, groove inducing, pushing keys, ripping chords, splicing synths, bar-for-bar shootin’ with hand motions, or melodies that get in your head like a warrior’s chant, there is a world being expertly & intricately built here within these 42 minutes and 30 seconds.
“I was in Hell in a cell with my demons, got out by the skin of my teeth”
At the end of the day, “Marco Plus vs Tha Underworld” hits a very consistent standard throughout. Forget numbers, forget catering to a sound that thrives only in one setting, forget everything that isn’t about creating a cohesive project the artist can take pride in. That’s the goal at the end of the day. Create art you believe in and share it so the people who need to will hear it. Everyone else is a bonus.
I was asked the other day “what really makes an artist successful these days?” and the short answer always starts at the music. Eventually everyone has to press play. Eventually the music has to mean something. When you can feel the music means something to the artist, it’s that much easier (and more enjoyable) to connect with the art. This project came from the depths of Marco Plus’ soul. Doesn’t get much better than that.
I’ll be here listening. Fighting the demons in my Underworld with a handful of new songs to bump along the way.