Delegates
the world music professionals directoryMarko Oliveira Roca
Marko Oliveira Roca, aka, D-Mars is one of Portugal's most respected producers/MCs. In 1994 he started his musical career when with Zona Dread, his group at the time, he was part of the 1st Portuguese hip-hop album "Rapública" (Sony Music). Two years later he founded his group Micro and the MLC crew, bringing all the aspects of the hip-hop culture to the scene.
After spending the late 90s being very busy in the underground mix-tape circuit (produced the 1st ever Portuguese MC mix-tape) and radio shows (Antena 3, Radio Marginal), through MLC Records he released the Micro debut album "Microestática" - the 1st Portuguese independent hip-hop release. In 2001, together with the very respected musical journalist Rui Miguel Abreu, he founded Loop:Recordings and has since then signed most of the Loop catalogue, whether as a producer, interpreter or studio engineer.
After 3 Micro, 2 solo MC, and various producer albums in 2005 he released the critically acclaimed "The Pyramid Sessions" album under the alias Rocky Marsiano exploring the instrumental hip-hop/jazz fusion and gaining major media exposure. With this project he has performed live at almost every important venue in Portugal accompanied by some of the country's top jazz musicians such as André Fernandes and Rodrigo Amado.
In 2006 he released another critically acclaimed album, "Enforce the Funk" (Loop), by his Double D Force project, exploring different musical styles such as electro-funk and disco-house.
As a DJ, D-Mars is known for his versatility. His background as a hip-hop producer plays a key role while he spins his records. Whether it's hip-hop, r'n'b, funk, soul, disco or brazilian, the party is guaranteed.
Currently he is living in Amsterdam and working as Label Manager at Penya Africa, the New East African Sound.
