Some people know him as Martez Hurt and others around Tallahassee know him as a college rapper Money Makin’ Martez.
Hurt is a Florida A&M University graduating senior majoring in criminal justice from the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.
He grew up and spent his whole life in a low-income community in Washington D.C. But things changed when at the age of 17, he received $150,000 in scholarships to pursue an education in Florida.
“Music was a stress reliever and it was a creative way to tell my struggles to success,” Martez said.
Money Makin’ Martez is an artist and a hustler. He got the name back in high school when he used to sell sodas and water on the streets.
Now he’s selling his CD’s to people all over the country as an artist.
Martez has thousands of views on YouTube and thousands of other followers on social media.
To Martez it means more than just the music.
“Music means giving the world a part of you, giving the youth someone to look up to, giving back to the community and sharing your message to inspire others,” Martez said.
While in Florida, Martez has become an inspirational rapper amongst his peers and to some people of the Tallahassee community.
He has shared the stage with some of the best hip-hop rappers such as eight time Grammy-nominated Kendrick Lamar, Juvenile and Curren$y. He recently opened up for Bobby Shmurda. He also had the opportunity to record in OutKast’s studio in Atlanta.
No matter if the size of the crowd is five or 500, Martez is always willing to put on a show to remember. He goes on and leaves everything he has on the stage. Those who support him appreciate his talent, but those who’ve heard him for the first time appreciate his love for the craft.
“He’s one of the best performers in Tallahassee,” said Nissi Vertus, a senior political science student from Miami. “I really love his energy and level of respect that he has for his craft.”
His B.O.S.S. movement, Built on Self Success, is about his accomplishments from being accepted to over 30 schools and being a standout in the D.C. College Success Foundation and becoming the face of the organization.
The B.O.S.S. movement is also his mixtape, which released last year. It describes his accomplishments, how to go from rags to riches and his message to spread positivity.
Martez’s maintains a great work ethic to achieve success. He goes to school during the day and works in the studio at night.
“Even when I’m sleeping I’m dreaming,” Martez said.
Friend and member of Leaders of the Dreamers, James Genwright a.k.a. Charlie Sky, gave his opinion on Martez’s attitude.
“Martez has an ‘I can’t stop won’t stop till I get it’ attitude and work ethic,” Genwright said.
Genwright also went on to said, “Martez has a winner’s work ethic. He’s always positive and willing to go the extra yard to get extra results to satisfy his hunger for success at the moment.”
Whether it’s dropping a record as an artist or out in the streets selling his newest music as a businessman, Martez has equipped himself with the tools necessary to succeed and become a force to be reckoned with.
Martez’s will perform at FAMU’s Homecoming and he is release his new mixtape “How U Survive Through Life Everyday.” In short, H.U.S.T.L.E.