Claudio Marques (rapper)

Claudio Rafael Sanches Marques (born May 31, 1995), professionally known as Claudio Marques (also known as CM) is a Music Producer, Rapper, Singer & Songwriter from Lisbon, Portugal. Best known for his concerts alongside Ace Hood, Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Red Man in 2013, he is an independent music artist releasing tracks under (LMG) Lisbon Music Group, a music label found by the rapper. 
Claudio released his debut EP on July 31, 2019, called ‘The 95 Gemini’. On April 11, 2020 he released a single called 'Facetime'.
== Early life ==
Claudio Marques was born on 31 May 1995 in the area of Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal, he is of Cape Verdean descent. Claudio’s parents later separated. He grew up in the slums of Azinhaga dos Besouros, Pontinha in Lisbon listening to 50 Cent, The Game, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, among others. At an early age Claudio lived with his mother and sister, his father moved to The United Kingdom. Due to Claudio getting in a lot of trouble and also having an accident which led to him breaking his leg, his mother decided to send him to the UK to live with his father. He attended St. John Fisher Catholic High School where he earned a Music Excellence Award. He also achieved 7 GCSE’s, plus 2 A Levels earning him a place in BIMM London, once known as Tech Music School part of The University of West London in 2013. He finished a 3 year BA Hons Music Production course.
== Career ==
Claudio Marques found his passion for music when he was 7 years old, inspired by American rappers. Once he moved to the United Kingdom, not knowing how to speak English, Claudio used to search for english words on the internet to be able to put lyrics together and record himself on GarageBand. The main desktop computer they had at home ended up breaking, therefore Claudio’s father sent it to one of his friends to fix it. The man who was fixing the computer was also a music lover therefore Claudio’s father requested for a music software to be installed in the process of having it fixed. The man installed a music software called Fruity Loops also known as FL Studio. 
Claudio started experimenting on FL Studio, creating melodies, loops and recording vocals using a computer video chat microphone. On a mission to get the best recording vocals Claudio used massive cardboard boxes that he could fit in, to get himself inside and record vocals cleanly. He started to upload demos onto his Facebook and YouTube page, this resulted in people sharing his work. 
In September 2013, Claudio was invited to be a support act for Ace hood at The Ritz, Manchester. Later in November 2013, he was invited to open up for Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Red Man at Hammersmith Apollo, London. In December 2015 Claudio Marques released his first Mixtape called Overthinking. The project gained attention from the media leading to MTV Wrap up premiering his first official music video ‘Kamikaze’ (a track from the Overthinking Mixtape) in 2016. He later released a second official music video called ‘Made in Lisbon’ which was also premiered by MTV Wrap up. He headlined his first show in Shoreditch, London, on the same night ‘Made in Lisbon’ music video was released. However, due to personal reasons Claudio Marques was forced to take a 3-year break from music, no releases or concerts. He made a come back on July 31, 2019 releasing a 7 track EP called ‘The 95 Gemini’ and also released two official music videos Driivin and Bentley Music. On November 16, 2019, Claudio headlined his first show after his break from music. Claudio Marques remains independent with no major label deal or investors. He recently released a new single called ‘FaceTime’ with no music video due to COVID-19 restrictions.
== Personal life ==
=== Fractured leg: ===
In 2005, whilst coming back from school in Lisbon, Portugal, Claudio fell from a wall that was at least 5 meters high, landed on top of a gate that had security spikes, causing to fracture his left leg. The spike entered his leg and fractured his bone. Claudio couldn’t walk for a year and had to use crutches for the last few months before walking. 
=== Car accident: ===
On 18 May 2018, Claudio Marques had a near-death experience, crashing his car against a highway median barrier on his way to London with a friend. The accident happened in one of the most popular roads of England, the M11. Claudio and his friend were luckily alive and safe, apart from suffering from whiplash. 
== Discography ==
==== Mixtapes: ====
* 2015: Overthinking 
==== EPs: ====
* 2019: The 95 Gemini 
==== Singles: ====
* 2016: Made in Lisbon
* 2020: Facetime 
==In the media==
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== References ==
==External links==
* Claudio Marques on Spotify
* Rapper Claudio Marques on a Mission to Save Lives
* Claudio Marques | SoundClick
* Claudio Marques : EPK - OurStage
* Claudio Marques - Listen on Deezer | Music Streaming
* Claudio Marques | ReverbNation
* Claudio Marques on facebook
* Claudio Marques on soundcloud
* Claudio Marques on instagram
* Claudio Marques on twitter
* Claudio Marques youtube chennel
Category:1995 births
Category:Record producers
Category:Music production
Category:Rappers
Category:Singer-songwriters
Category:Singer-songwriters by genre
Category:People from Lisbon
Category:Bachelor's degrees
Category:School of Advanced Study
Category:Alumni of the University of West London