Arizona State University's Independent Student Newspaper Since 1948
A chronological collection of State Press articles documenting the rise and fall of former ASU music theory student Marcus Coleman, whose chart-topping hip-hop career was built on stolen authenticity. What began as a feel-good story of local success ended in one of the most shocking frauds in modern music history.
Arizona State University junior Marcus Coleman placed second in Saturday's Phoenix Underground Showcase at Crescent Ballroom, demonstrating impressive technical proficiency in front of a crowd of over 300 attendees.
Coleman, 20, a music theory major in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, delivered a technically flawless performance that showcased the formal training he's received in ASU's music program. His verse structure, rhyme schemes, and flow demonstrated what judges called "textbook execution."
"Marcus clearly studies the craft," said judge and local hip-hop artist Miguel Santos. "His understanding of music theory gives him an edge in composition. Very polished for someone his age."
However, Coleman ultimately lost the top spot to Diego Martinez, an unaffiliated Phoenix artist whose raw emotional delivery connected more deeply with the audience. Martinez, who goes by the stage name "D-Block," recently completed a prison sentence and has been building a following through SoundCloud releases.
Coleman was gracious in defeat. "Competition makes you better," he told The State Press after the event. "I've got a lot to learn about connecting with an audience emotionally, not just technically. That's the next level."
The Tempe native plans to continue developing his craft while completing his degree. "ASU's music program has given me the foundation," Coleman said. "Now I need to build on it."
Marcus Coleman, a senior music theory student who gained attention last year for his performance in local rap competitions, has withdrawn from Arizona State University to focus full-time on his music career, The State Press has confirmed.
Coleman, who was on track to graduate in spring 2019, said the decision came after careful consideration. "ASU gave me everything I needed—the theory, the composition skills, the understanding of how music works on a technical level," Coleman said in a phone interview. "But at some point, you have to leave the classroom and live the art."
Dr. Patricia Chen, associate professor in the music theory program, said Coleman was a standout student. "Marcus had excellent analytical skills. His papers on narrative structure in hip-hop were some of the best undergraduate work I've seen. I'm disappointed he won't finish his degree, but I understand the pull of pursuing your passion."
Coleman hasn't released details about upcoming projects but hinted at working with a Phoenix-based label. "I've been in talks with some people who believe in the vision," he said. "Can't say more yet, but Phoenix needs to watch out."
Several of Coleman's former classmates expressed surprise at the decision. "We all knew Marcus was talented, but dropping out senior year seems risky," said Melissa Chen, a fellow music theory student who worked with Coleman on multiple class projects. "He was so focused on academics. This feels sudden."
Coleman acknowledged the risk but remained confident. "Sometimes you have to bet on yourself. The degree will always be there if I need it. This opportunity won't be."
Three years after dropping out of ASU, Marcus Coleman has achieved what few independent Phoenix artists ever do: national recognition. His debut album 23rd Ave debuted at number three on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart and has earned widespread critical acclaim for its "raw authenticity" and "unflinching portrayal of street life."
The album, released through Empire West Records, chronicles Coleman's alleged experiences growing up in South Phoenix, serving time in juvenile detention, and losing a brother to gang violence. Rolling Stone called it "a gut-wrenching testament to survival."
But some former ASU classmates have expressed confusion about Coleman's narrative. "I took three classes with Marcus," said one music theory student who requested anonymity. "He grew up in Tempe. His parents are middle-class professionals. I'm not sure where this 'street life' story is coming from."
Other former students echoed similar sentiments in private social media groups, with some posting photos of Coleman at ASU basketball games and house parties that seem to contradict his new public image.
Coleman has not responded to requests for comment about the discrepancies. His publicist issued a brief statement: "Marcus's music speaks for itself. Like many artists, he draws on a range of experiences and observations to create compelling narratives."
Despite the questions, Coleman's success has brought attention to ASU's music program. The university recently announced a new scholarship named in Coleman's honor after he donated $25,000 to the music department.
"We're proud of all our alumni who achieve success in their chosen fields," said Dr. Robert Martinez, chair of the music department. "Marcus's journey shows that formal training and artistic vision can work together."
Not everyone at ASU is celebrating, however. An anonymous Twitter account called @FakeMarcusFiles has been posting Coleman's old ASU photos alongside screenshots from his current press materials, highlighting contradictions in his biography.
The account has fewer than 500 followers and has gained little traction outside of ASU circles. But its persistence suggests Coleman's reinvention hasn't fooled everyone who knew him before.
An investigation by The State Press has uncovered evidence suggesting that former ASU student Marcus Coleman's critically acclaimed debut album 23rd Ave may be based on the stolen life story of Diego Martinez, a South Phoenix rapper who was incarcerated during the album's creation.
Martinez, known as "D-Block," recorded multiple tracks while serving a three-year sentence in Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence. These recordings, made on contraband phones and leaked through his girlfriend's SoundCloud account, documented Martinez's experiences losing his brother to gang violence, his mother's death from cancer, and life in prison.
According to documents obtained by The State Press, Empire West Records purchased twenty unreleased Martinez tracks from his former girlfriend in early 2019 for $5,000—three months before Coleman signed with the label.
A side-by-side analysis of Martinez's prison recordings and Coleman's album reveals striking similarities in narrative structure, specific biographical details, and even some lyrical phrases.
Martinez's track "Miguel's Corner," recorded in 2018, describes learning of his brother's death while unable to attend the funeral. Coleman's "Brother's Keeper," released in 2021, tells an almost identical story with refined structure and improved wordplay.
"It's my life, but it sounds better when he tells it," Martinez told The State Press in an exclusive interview. "That's what kills me. He's a better rapper than I'll ever be, but he's rapping about pain he never felt."
Former ASU classmates corroborate that Coleman's background differs substantially from the narrative presented in his music and interviews.
"We all took Music Theory 301 together," said Melissa Chen, who co-authored this investigation. "Marcus wrote his final paper on 'Narrative Authenticity in Hip-Hop.' The irony is almost too perfect. He literally studied how to sound authentic while planning to fake it."
Empire West Records declined to comment. Coleman's representatives did not respond to multiple requests for interviews. Coleman's ASU-funded scholarship has been suspended pending review.
Arizona State University released a brief statement: "We take allegations of fraud seriously and are reviewing the matter."
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
Marcus Coleman, the former Arizona State University music theory student who rose to hip-hop fame on a fabricated biography, died Wednesday in what Phoenix Police are calling a murder-suicide connected to his plot to kill the artist whose life story he stole.
Coleman, 26, hired two men to murder Diego "D-Block" Martinez after Martinez discovered evidence of the theft and threatened to expose Coleman publicly. The hit was scheduled for Wednesday night. Instead, both Coleman and Martinez were found dead in what investigators believe was a confrontation that went wrong.
Phoenix Police recovered emails, text messages, and financial records confirming Coleman paid $25,000 to have Martinez killed. The documents, now public record, reveal the full extent of Coleman's deception—from Empire West Records' purchase of Martinez's unreleased tracks to Coleman's systematic sabotage of Martinez's record label opportunities.
"This was premeditated fraud followed by attempted murder," said Detective Sarah Williams of the Phoenix Police Department. "The evidence is overwhelming. Coleman built his entire career on stolen material and was willing to kill to protect that lie."
The revelations have sent shockwaves through the music industry. Empire West Records has dissolved. Coleman's album has been removed from all streaming platforms. Billboard has retroactively stripped his chart positions.
At Arizona State University, Coleman's story has become a cautionary tale. The Marcus Coleman Achievement Scholarship has been renamed and redirected to support actual students from underserved communities. The music department has returned Coleman's $25,000 donation to his estate.
Dr. Patricia Chen, Coleman's former music theory professor, expressed disbelief. "I taught Marcus how to analyze authentic storytelling in hip-hop. I never imagined he would use that knowledge to manufacture a fake life. It's a betrayal of everything we try to teach about artistic integrity."
Former classmates who tried to expose Coleman earlier feel vindicated but not triumphant. "We knew from the beginning," said Melissa Chen, who first investigated Coleman's background for The State Press. "But nobody wanted to listen. He had money, success, critical acclaim. We were just bitter classmates with receipts nobody cared about."
The @FakeMarcusFiles Twitter account, which documented Coleman's fabrications since 2021, posted one final message Thursday: "We tried to tell you. Rest in peace, Diego. You deserved better."
Martinez's funeral is scheduled for Saturday in South Phoenix. His family has requested privacy. Coleman's family has not released funeral arrangements.
The Phoenix hip-hop community has organized a memorial for Martinez and a benefit concert to support his family. All proceeds will go toward establishing a scholarship for aspiring artists from South Phoenix—real artists, from real struggle, telling real stories.
As for Marcus Coleman's legacy, it appears to be exactly what he feared most: he will be remembered not as an artist, but as a cautionary tale about the difference between studying authenticity and living it.
Or as one social media post put it: "He went to ASU to learn how to sound real. Diego went to Florence State Prison and became real. The market spoke."
The complete novella "Phoenix Burn" by Luis Ruiz tells the full psychological descent
of Marcus Coleman from ASU music theory student to chart-topping fraud to murderer.
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