Duprai Marcel Weighs in on Single and Video for Hit “My Baby”
Having years of experience in a field will only make someone a well-rounded, professional career. For Duprai Marcel, he was engulfed in music since he was a young child. Spending time listening to his mother control the sounds of a choir to hours appreciating R&B tunes on his cassette gave him all he needed to create his own sound. Like a high-class chef, he took the ingredients he was given and what he knew, but added his twist, which resulted in a steaming pot of his delicious, soulful voice and lyrics in his newest hit “My Baby.” Take a step back in time in his way of giving back to the genres and community that shaped who he was.
In “My Baby,” Duprai is longing for a loving connection that pays him back in all that he does. With a simple guitar riff, piano, and some hand-produced percussion, Duprai can tell a multi-layered story with just a few elements. His small instrumental and vocal group produces so much power, allowing the listener to feel every morsel of the emotions he is feeling. He tires himself to make sure his relationship stays afloat, but often his partner makes him feel like it is sinking. He is so in love with her, that all he could ever dream of is being treated the way he treats her. He questions his commitment, but the mystery of his baby is what makes him want even more. Although he experiences pain and sadness, he cries for her in this deep tone of voice.
The “My Baby” video is crafted as a black and white, 2D, film noir illustration following the murder of a young woman. Duprai is set as a detective trying to piece together the accusations and suspects in this thrilling story led by his song. A beautiful woman is shown as the lead singer of the “Kit Katt Club” having multiple love interests including a mayor and a mobster. Sharing intimate moments with both men through dances and drinks, the woman is mysteriously killed, with Duprai having to discover the killer through evidence. To spoil the ending would be sinful, so it is a must to watch this video to see the unthinkable twist as to who the killer is.
We got Marcel to weigh in on a few things
Is the song “My Baby” based on a true story or a specific person?
My baby is a real story from a relationship I experienced long ago. While I was in the studio recording I had to dig deep and heal from a relationship that was all but over. When I first started to sing the song I wanted to make it just about as vague as possible but the melody and words just would not let me. So I said to myself if you’re going to sing this record then sing all of it and allow yourself to feel everything.
I absolutely love the music video and the story it tells. What was your creative thought process behind it?
Thank you, well I had a couple of ideas of how I wanted to do the video and I can answer that in two parts. I ended up with a unique idea for the video telling the story of all of the people involved in the love triangle. Each of the people in essence could be the protagonist because, in a very real way, all of them are experiencing it in their way. The Skirt is in love with two men who can change her life in very different ways. The Mobster feels the Skirt owes him because he took her off the streets and allowed her to be the object of desire for all who come to the Kit Katt Club. The Mayor who has a family but falls for her now his whole life can change as well as his future political career. The Wife sees a younger version of herself in the Skirt but with the affair and very possibility of her life-changing if the husband leaves her for this woman. All these points of view are seen through the eyes of Me who plays a detective trying to solve a murder mystery of love.
Why did you choose to keep the music video in black and white and not color? Is there any specific or significant meaning behind it?
First, I chose the colors black and white as a way of saying things aren’t always black and white. Then red as the passion that comes when the lines are blurred which is why I chose the 2 D animation of myself and the characters. There are splashes of red in the music video to show the passion and heartbreak that is felt by everyone.
What is your musical dream or goal? Sell out a tour? Have one of your songs go #1 on the Billboard Top 100
I want to sell out a tour and perform this song in front of a sold-out crowd every night and leave it all on the floor. A #1 song on the Billboard charts would be nice as well (lol).
What is your favorite song that you have made?
Oh wow, it really is difficult to answer that I am very passionate about the art I create and have really put together an incredible collection of songs for this project. My Baby I am so in love with I wrote this song on my brother’s toy piano that I got him for Christmas made a bare-bones demo and then took it to the studio to be professionally done and so it holds a place in my heart.
When did you first start making music?
I started really recording music in high school when I would save enough money from the chores. I would drag my best friend to this studio in the city and record some of the songs that I wrote. It was a blast it allowed me to craft my art of storytelling.
What music artist would you compare your music to?
That is really hard to say. Sometimes I’m country and sometimes I’m rock and roll but I am always a writer so maybe the best comparison would be Babyface.
What do you have planned for 2024?
I have a few more music videos that will be coming out this year. I stay busy and always try to craft the best visual story of the song I want to tell.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
