We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marcus Orelias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Marcus , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Our company, R.O.T.U. World, started as a record label in 2012, originally it was titled “Marcus Orelias Music” because it would release my personal music. Starting my business in the Bay Area (where I am from originally) was tough because the Bay does have a history in the music business but it does not have the same resources LA has, or New York – so a lot of our music scene is grass roots and if you make it big you get immortalized based of off that moment or song. Making music in the Bay, you learn to hustle or you don’t eat like many places except there aren’t too many beacons to where we could walk into a record label and say “listen to my music”. I tried to produce other artists’ projects but I found managing personalities to be too difficult so I pivoted.
“Marcus Orelias Music” was really myself and my friends at the time coming together from 2012-2014 to make a push and say: “we’re here, there’s musical talent in San Francisco” but it was challenging keeping young adults together to continue to set and meet goals. Eventually I shifted the business model as I aged, read, and grew wiser. I wanted to create an imprint that could live beyond music, myself and more important a business that solved problems in society. I had read an interview with a recording artist who explained why he never appeared on his album covers – and his answer was that people tend to judge or shut down from engaging with an album based on the genre and whomever is on the cover (which is why my first 3 albums – “Rebel of the Underground”, “20s A Difficult Age”, and “Marcus Orelias” don’t feature me on the cover). To me, it allowed the magic and mystery of going into an album to permeate – so the listeners don’t know what to expect. I believe that every great artist is a greater magician.
Around 2014, I started purely rebranding “Marcus Orelias Music” and settled on “R.O.T.U.” which is an acronym for my first album, “Rebel of the Underground” – I just made “rebel” plural for “rebels” when referring to those who work with me in the company. The idea is that we are all rebels in our field of work because rebels create revolutionary things and the “underground” strictly referring to being “underground” or not mainstream (which I was as an artist for a long time), and the “World” tieing in everything to signify that we are not mainstream (yet) but still global.
I knew this shift was a worthwhile endeavor because growing up, I had the privilege of visiting LucasFilm both in the Presidio in San Francisco and their Marin location. I would see a pre screening of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith in 2005, Iron Man in 2008 and many other films there. Walking through the halls, I felt the magic and that’s when subconsciously I knew I wanted to build something great and be a legendary storyteller. I felt this would work because I did not see any storytellers with my mind and perspective stepping into the Sci-Fi space to contribute. So R.O.T.U. World would do that, focusing not only my music releases but video games, merchandising etc.
With R.O.T.U. World, there are a few key issues I’d like to address, but one of the main goals is to challenge and expand the definition of what is considered “Black Art” and elevate it to a new level. A significant, often unspoken issue is the perception that Black art must fit a narrow mold—it’s expected to be monolithic, falling into certain categories to be seen as valid. Another challenge is the lack of original storytelling and intellectual properties. I want to help address this gap. While these goals are important to my work, they are not the sole reason I’m in this space. It’s also essential to acknowledge that not every story we tell will center on human protagonists or carry heavy messaging—we aim to create art that is diverse in its themes and representations without feeling the need to overstate these elements to our audience.
Marcus , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Marcus Orelias, and I’m a multifaceted creative working as a recording artist, game designer, storyteller, graphic designer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and actor, currently based in the Phoenix area. Originally I’m from the San Francisco, Bay Area, I grew up in a neighborhood called “Bayview-Hunters Point” in the southeast corner of the city. My journey formally began in 2008 when I appeared in a video called *Generation WE*, which ignited my passion for acting and theater. That same year, I joined the American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.) in San Francisco, thanks to a group called “The Nia Project”, which promoted acting opportunities for Black students. Under mentorship, I spent nearly a decade developing my craft at A.C.T., performing in plays and landing extra roles in TV shows and movies.
Originally, I dreamed of becoming a manga artist, I used to draw comic books (some of the ideas I held onto and developed later on) but my dream was fueled by my love for anime that began with shows like *Pokémon* and *Dragon Ball Z*. Video games were also a huge part of my upbringing, not just as entertainment but as a way to stay focused and avoid negative influences. I played consoles like Gameboy Color, PS2, Gameboy Advance, PS1, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Xbox 360, Sega Genesis, and PSP growing up. Gameboy Color was the first handheld that I was introduced to and that changed my life because of how groundbreaking it was at the time, I begged my Mom for the original Gameboy because I had seen a classmate in the cafeteria playing his and all the student huddled around him watching. One day, after school, I got a turquoise GBC as a gift from a family member when I was young – I played it into the ground but now I see my early love for gaming was my informal training and introduction to game design.
Although I started in acting, my path shifted toward music, something that’s always been in my blood. When I attended Herbert Hoover Middle School, I played baritone in the jazz band, which later led to me picking up the alto saxophone in high school. I explored writing raps early in my adolescence, I would write poems in journals, eventually, I found my voice rapping, a passion of mine that was rekindled when my brother introduced me to the studio scene. I spent a lot of time in Oakland with various artist learning about the skill of rapping and recording music in general but he’s been my biggest musical influence, and by 2012, I had crafted my own sound, collaborating with producer Jay B Beats to release my first single, “We On”, featuring BJ the Chicago Kid. My first album, “Rebel of the Underground” was recorded at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, somewhat marking the birth of my company, R.O.T.U. World.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend storytelling across multiple mediums—whether through music, design, or games—and my dedication to creating experiences that resonate deeply with people and connect to the human experience. When I couldn’t secure performance bookings early in my career, I rented my own venues, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that drives me today. My discography includes albums like “Rebel of the Underground” (2013), “20s A Difficult Age” (2017), “Marcus Orelias” (2022), and recent release “Maybe It’s Somethin’…” (2024).
Through R.O.T.U. World, I’ve built a brand that represents more than just music. I am passionate about science fiction, great storytelling, healthy representation, storytelling, and my work reflects that commitment to pushing boundaries and creating meaningful, intelligent work. What I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to evolve my creative output into something that’s not only personal but speaks to the wider world. My goal is to inspire others to embrace their unique journeys, set a new culture around employment and bringing fresh perspectives to whatever industry I’m part of.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the idea that success follows a straight line. It’s almost never that simple. Success is a winding road, full of twists, turns, highs, and lows. You’ll face setbacks, mistakes, and moments of uncertainty, but there will also be triumphs and breakthroughs along the way. The notion that success happens in one shot is a fantasy fed by social media and television, where we often see only highlights, not the hard work or failures that come before the wins. That’s why it’s so crucial to surround yourself with people who not only believe in you but also share your vision. Their support helps keep you grounded through the challenges and motivated when things get tough. Success is less about achieving a perfect, linear path and more about persistence, learning from your failures, and having the right people by your side to push you forward.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Two books that have significantly shaped my management and entrepreneurial philosophy are *The Law of Divine Compensation* by Marianne Williamson and *Negotiations* by Brian Tracy. *The Law of Divine Compensation* explores the idea that the universe is abundant, and when we align ourselves with love, purpose, and service, opportunities flow toward us naturally. This book has influenced my approach to business by reinforcing the idea that integrity and value creation lead to long-term success, rather than simply focusing on profit. It shifted my mindset to see challenges as opportunities for growth and to trust that the right path will reveal itself when you’re aligned with your purpose.
*Negotiations* by Brian Tracy, on the other hand, has been invaluable in developing my practical skills in communication and deal-making. Tracy’s insights into negotiation strategies have helped me better understand human behavior, leverage win-win solutions, and navigate business relationships with confidence and clarity. It’s taught me how to approach negotiations as a collaborative process rather than a battle, emphasizing the importance of preparation, listening, and finding common ground.
Together, these books offer a blend of practical business tactics and a more holistic, purpose-driven approach to entrepreneurship. They’ve helped me create a balance between maintaining a strong ethical foundation and honing the skills necessary to succeed in a competitive world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rotuworld.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcusorelias
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMarcusOrelias/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7Qwy6IeAEOXw7foVxB_aA
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/marcusorelias
- Other: https://voyagephoenix.com/?post_type=interview&p=206542
https://rotuworld.com/rotu-world-pre-store
Image Credits
Sir Wlm Photography
Marcus Orelias / R.O.T.U. World LLC
Nick Garcia / NXG Media LLC