Mark Arthur’s life has really defined his music. At a young age, Mark struggled with his weight. His genetic predisposition caused him to weigh in at 213 pounds at 13 years old, and receive 6 surgeries between 14 and 16 years old to help his hips that had struggled to form correctly. However, the weight issue caused one leg to grow shorter than the other leaving Mark with a life long limp. As a consequence of his physical ailments, he struggled with emotional pain and self –esteem. He struggled to fit in and find his place amongst friends, but the perpetual weight struggle always seemed to get in the way.
When Mark began an internship at Def Jam Recordings he thought life would be turning around. Having a friend that was successful doing music with Jay-Z, Sting, Eve, and even producing for Rockafella records coupled with his new found internship, he was expecting to have a successful career making millions writing and producing. However, it wasn’t long after he was at Def Jam that Mark began a very difficult time in his life. He got saved early in his twenties, but couldn’t resolve the constant conflict his new found faith had with the message brought forth from Def Jam. And it was not long thereafter that he found himself face to face with 3 months of grief when he lost 2 close people to violence. At the time he had a best friend who was becoming very successful doing music with Foxy Brown, Beanie Sigel, and The Firm. While at an event in Philadelphia, his friend was struck and killed as an innocent bystander victim of a stray bullet. Three months later, his cousin, fell victim to a lifestyle of selling drugs when he was murdered in the same city. Those two experiences really made Mark rethink God’s directive to preach the gospel. After several more months at Def Jam, Mark left because of the conviction he felt that the label wasn’t producing anything God worthy. While leaving Def Jam did not put an end to his problems (as a young Christian he still struggled with sexual purity), but rather all of these things were to pave the way to where Mark is with his music now.
Mark’s messages in his songs are gospel centered with an emphasis on weaving the gospel message in a way that speaks practically. Every song reflects personal obligations that he feels and wants to express through music. His songs are reflective of his own life with the idea that the lessons, struggles and teachings he has learned will in turn be an encouragement to others. Mark does not want to fill his songs with politically correct church answers, but rather the specific issues and solutions needed for our various situations.
With his first album coming out in 2011, Mark is extremely excited. While he has performed with major artists such as J.R. and R-Swift, the three years he spent to make this album brings a new level of excitement. Executively produced by Lee Jerkins, the album features the song “Away from here” which he did with J.R., and several songs with fellow label artist Michelle Bonilla. Between the music, lyrics, style and message, the album is sure to reach people’s hearts as they hear the gospel presented in a fresh clear way. The album encourages, it reminds us of God’s love, it speaks to our lives. Yet best of all, it is an album that comes from the heart of Mark.