College Radio Update:

The Yung Mars Album' was on the College Music Journal's (CMJ.com) Hip Hop Top 20 charts for over 8 weeks the summer peaking at number 3! It started off as the number 1 most added college hip-hop record for it's release date, and was the only self released allbum on the charts at the time.

Press Highlights:

"DJ Teeko cuts wax on his opening track and Azeem spits bars later on. Seriously, this kid must know some people or hustle like he came out of tomorrow or be as talented with potential like I think he does. Actually, I think he's got all that in a full house...the beats cover some genres that don't come free on regular hip-hop joints. Rhyme flows over acoustic guitar or sparse Latin rhythms make this record stand-alone from other straight out the gate debuts. Let's all keep an ear out for Yung Mars and dap him up when we hear his name in the streets. I wanna be there to tell you I told you so..."
-TheOwlMag.com

"Supported by an impressive roster of musicians including three bassists, two saxophonists, one pianist/Rhodes man, and a vibes player, Mars has deftly assembled an organic Hip Hop group that could easily back Parliament or Roy Ayers. The perfect example being the track "Califunk" with its chugging guitar riff, live drumming, high pitched synth lines, and talk box interludes. "Bailar" sports a Latin-influenced rhythm and a hook sung in Spanish, while "Run with Me" has a Caribbean style beat complete with vibe runs and dancehall hand claps...Mostly introspective, he touches on sociological and political ills while never getting bogged down with the insurmountable task of living in today's world. With guest DJ shots from DJ Powder and Teeko (of 4onefunk,) Yung Mars' debut is worth tracking down even if Leonard Hubbard isn't on your best-of shortlist."
-groundliftmag.com

"On The Yung Mars Album, I too experienced many layers; from Hip-Hop to a bit of Jazz, Country and Latin inspired rhythms, this presentation was more than just beats and rhymes, it was a score. Each song welcomed the next, connecting to each other through links of often subtle melodies. Lyrically Yung Mars rests well inside of each track providing a quality blend of lyrics for the versatile (at times live instrumental) production. Though on occasion Yung Mars seems to out-shine the background music, The Yung Mars Album is a good listen. With a sound reminiscent of Nappy Roots but a lyrical style that is quite original, Yung Mars stands tall on Sunspot, Struggle, and Grub To Mars."
-Hiphoplinguistics.com

"If Comcast, Clear Channel and Rupert Murdoch didn't own the airwaves, chances are you would have heard of Yung Mars by now. Then again, if media outlets weren't locked down like crack-hoes, Mars might not have pushed himself to create such a funky, socially conscious debut album. So who is this fucker anyway? Mars strikes me as a kind of Bay Area Bradley Nowell (the late singer/songwriter from Sublime). Mars' music incorporates rap, rock, and reggae, advocates pot-smokin', and even breaks it down to just acoustic guitar and vocals while still bringing poignant thoughts and the ever important funk..."
-Ohdangmag.com

"The Yung Mars Album Wild West frontier hip hop? Latin American ghetto flow? Down tempo dirty booty bass freestyle? Think Everlast, Ozo, Roni Size, a Korg and a harmonica."
-kotorimag.com