Graffiti is acknowledged as a pillar of hip-hop by some. For others, it is the lifeblood of their existence. Marly McFly, a DMV-based muralist, artist, and owner of McFly Enterprise, is readying for his latest New York event with the Bronx Brewery and Bastard Burgers NYC this Friday.
“My work brings me to New York frequently, as many corporations I collaborate with have offices in Manhattan. I grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and wanted to experience New York outside its tourist areas. The Bronx is where hip-hop began, and I found myself encouraged by how big street art is throughout the borough,” he explained to The Knockturnal from his D.C. studio.
Drawing upon this inspiration, McFly’s new creation, Zook, came to life and can be seen branded with an aerosol can in hand throughout his birthplace: BX. “At my last TriBeCa exhibition, the kids went crazy over Zook and his gumball. I’m excited. I did not have a character I could relate to as a child,” McFly laughed. The Knockturnal connected with the artist on his latest brand activations, why representation is important, and learned how Jackie Robinson’s family supported his work. Check out our exclusive below.
The Knockturnal: You wear many hats as a contemporary artist. What are some of the things you create?
Marly McFly: Yes, I wear many hats, but they are each interconnected. I’m a visual storyteller. This year alone, my creations include but are not limited to paintings, murals, toys, animation, and apparel.
The Knockturnal: Who are some brands you have recently collaborated with?
Marly McFly: Many doors have opened for me. I have recently collaborated with brands and companies such as Nike, Nickelodeon, Hugo Boss, 2K — the video game publisher, also the NBA, MLB, NFL, and a few public figures.
The Knockturnal: What led you to become an artist?
Marly McFly: Art has always been something I was passionate about. I initially had people try to push me in a different direction. Sometimes people will attempt to project their fears onto you. I loved to draw, but as a child, I did not know all the possibilities or roads that could open up because of my notepad. So, gradually, I immersed myself in as many art mediums as possible.
Over time, one of the things I realized about being creative is people might try to simplify or get you to dumb down your vision. It was common for people to want me to assemble in a way they could understand. For example, I would say, “I like to draw,” and people have responded, “Oh, you want to be an architect?”
You can flat-out tell others who you are, but it does not mean they will truly see you. Perception can be limiting. Today that desire to not be boxed in evolved into one of the driving forces behind the creation of my character Zook.
The Knockturnal: Okay, you have a few activations en route. What can you tell us about your new character Zook?
Marly McFly: Zook is a mischievous street artist from the Bronx. He is a reflection of my inner child. I want kids to see him possess what is often perceived as irrational confidence. You will need that in life if you aspire toward anything unconventional.
My young character is limitless. Much like youths from the ‘hood, Zook understands the culture. He is a trendsetter and also a collector of cool. I intentionally made him small in stature because his personality is big enough. Have you ever met people like that [Laughs]?
He is a bite-sized hypebeast who loves trading cards, comic books, and sneakers. I typically draw him in outrageous situations because I want children to see that thinking outside the box and being yourself is okay. The general message is not to let people defer you from your dreams. Imagination is necessary. In Zook’s case, if you want to ride a dinosaur through NYC, go for it.
The Knockturnal: Representation is a recurring theme in your art. Why is that significant to you?
Marly McFly: Representation is important, but in a period where corporate buzzwords are abundant, I don’t think that should stop at someone’s racial identity. I try to convey that with my characters. I remember when I was growing up, most fictional Black characters had the same traits and interests on-screen and elsewhere.
Zook is half-Black and half-Puerto Rican. There are nuances to his lived experiences. I thought, “Just because we have the same skin color as past characters doesn’t mean we have the same story.” Beyond him, I like to display my characters doing a wide range of things. Children deserve to feel seen.
There are recurring messages about what Black and Brown kids are [interested in]. For context, every Black child from the city will not become an athlete. I can appreciate that certain images may encourage kids to remain active, but what else? I like to show Zook in all types of scenarios. Yes, he can be a basketball player, but he may also like to read, paint, drive a racecar, or aspire to become an astronaut. There is nothing he can’t do.
The Knockturnal: You are also in an array of galleries. What are some of the cities that you have shown your canvases in?
Marly McFly: I have been fortunate enough to show and sell my work in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, and Berlin, among other places.
The Knockturnal: Growing up, who were the artists that inspired you?
Marly McFly: My earliest inspiration growing up came from comic books. Before I developed technical skills or knew where art would lead me, I enjoyed reading comics. I began to collect them young.
I was always drawn to how artists could build worlds and tell stories or show emotion through their characters. For me, the biggest inspirations would be the Marvel greats Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and John Romita Sr.
The Knockturnal: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Marly McFly: In 10 years, I want Zook to be the next multi-media giant. There have been Black cartoon characters, but I would love to see one who is impactful globally. Think Mickey Mouse, Bart Simpson, or Hello Kitty. I want Zook to be aligned with those types of contemporary characters.
I am manifesting him everywhere. Zook is a child, but he is not solely relatable to children. He already has his community behind him. This month I have an activation with The Bronx Brewery, and we are collaborating with Bastard Burgers NYC.
Zook has his own drink called “Zooka Brew,” and his stacked burger includes a pink dressing and a gumball pinned atop it. You always see Zook blowing gum bubbles — I want that in cartoons, on t-shirts, backpacks, cereal, and more. His toys are beginning to sell.
The Knockturnal: You mentioned being a muralist. What is a project that got you excited?
Marly McFly: The project that excited me most was my new Jackie Robinson mural. I painted it for the MLB at the Jackie Robinson training facility. I have a great relationship with the MLB, but I was particularly proud to be a part of that work. To have it unveiled on Jackie Robinson Day and earn his family’s blessing is beyond anything I could have imagined.
The Knockturnal: Who is Marly McFly?
Marly McFly: I am a self-taught artist who has a vision for his life. I am limitless creatively.
