Marlee XX is an American music artist, record producer, songwriter, DJ, and industry disruptor known for her genre-blending sound and forward thinking approach to independent music. Born and raised in Washington, D.C. aka the "DMV" (DC, Maryland, & Virginia), she began her career in the city’s vibrant go-go scene, joining her first band as a teenager and choosing the stage over prom night. After one of her previous bands urged her to step up as the lead, Marlee took matters into her own hands and founded Marlee In The Mixx, a nine piece powerhouse collective celebrated for its explosive blend of soul, hip-hop, pop, rock, go-go, and alternative.
Marlee In The Mixx quickly gained a reputation for their dynamic live shows and innovative marketing, Internationally headlining the “Essence of Seoul” festival in Seoul, South Korea, touring nationally at iconic venues like SOB’s in New York City and the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, and becoming a staple in D.C.’s music scene with a popular weekly residency on the historic U Street corridor. The band’s In The Mixx Fridays series became a hub for creatives and industry insiders, attracting influential figures like Taylor Graves, Robert Glasper, and the late Chucky Thompson. The Washington Post captured the group’s dynamic appeal, stating, “Marlee in the Mixx has been packing them in on Friday nights with an ambitious combination of originals and covers touching everything: go-go, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and jazz… with a level of sophistication beyond their more famous peers.” AFRO American Newspapers praised their ability to “bring down the house” at their residency and shows across the US. The band also performed their own versions of popular songs with the online series "Mixx Sessions" garnering over 100,000 views on Youtube.
When the group unexpectedly disbanded, Marlee refused to disappear while figuring out her next move. Determined to stay in front of audiences, she pivoted to DJing, quickly becoming a go-to selector for top-tier brands like Hermès, Diageo, Guess Originals, Fabletics, and Versace. The transition allowed her to maintain her presence in music while expanding her reach in the industry. In pursuit of greater opportunities, she relocated to Los Angeles, establishing herself as a powerhouse in sync licensing, music production, and artist mentorship.
Her music and voice have since been featured in major sync placements, including Shonda Rhimes’ Black Barbie documentary trailer on Netflix, Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, HBO’s The Hype, Hulu’s The Come Up, and commercial spots for Credit Karma, as well as multiple shows across major streaming platforms and prime time television.
Marlee’s critically acclaimed solo LP, “XX Factor”, marked a bold and unapologetic evolution of her sound, leading to performances throughout Southern California, including iconic venues like the Viper Room and San Diego Pride. Illustrate Magazine praised her as “a one-woman army with a unique, genre-fluid musical style in her arsenal… She can sing, create songs, produce them, and even light it up with her DJ-ing tricks.” Elicit Magazine described her as “a multi-hyphenate artist creating crossover-ready pop songs that obliterate the traditional pop formula and completely redefine what it means to be a woman in music.” She continued to make waves as the opening act for viral artist Qveen Herby on her sold-out tour, further solidifying her presence as a powerful solo artist.
Now the founder of Forever In The Mixx, a visionary music incubator and artist development hub, Marlee XX is dedicated to empowering the next generation of independent creatives - a mission she’s also championed through her work with Girls Make Beats, where she mentored young female producers, audio engineers, and DJs. While building the next wave of talent, she’s also expanding her own catalog with a slew of new singles and her next EP on the horizon. With over 15 years of industry experience, Marlee XX continues to elevate the independent artist narrative: pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and building a legacy on her own terms.
