Ben Marc x Homeless Maccabee
Following the release of ‘Back Again’ ft. Arrested Development & Speech and ‘Love,’ London-based musician Ben Marc shares the third single from his upcoming album ‘Who Cares Wins.’ The 14-track is being be rolled out in three stages — two four-track EPs arriving earlier this month and November respectively, followed by the full 14-track LP on 5th December via Innovative Leisure. This staggered release mirrors Marc’s layered approach to music-making, allowing each chapter of the album to shine before it comes together as a whole. Out today and featuring Greek artist Σtella on vocal duties, Marc had this to say on new offering ‘Homeless Maccabee:’
“‘Homeless Maccabee’ is my first full song collaboration with Σtella. We both share a deep love for a wide range of musical genres, and I’m super proud of the blend of influences we brought together in this track.” Ben Marc
Marc is an artist who’s always blurred lines and criss-crossed boundaries. Over the years, he's has worked with Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, Afrofuturist pioneers Sun Ra Arkestra, and grime icon Dizzee Rascal — constantly finding ways to connect distant musical worlds. Marc chose his stage name as a reflection of his dual identity: “Ben,” the nickname given to him in the jazz collective Tomorrow’s Warriors, and “Marc,” from his Birmingham upbringing steeped in hip-hop, reggae, and soul. During the pandemic, while volunteering with the NHS, he began shaping 'Who Cares Wins’ as a project that could hold all those sides of himself. “I ended up thinking, ‘Well, it’s a genre — it’s just me,’” he explains. Raised between Birmingham and the Caribbean island of Carriacou, Marc grew up immersed in diverse musical traditions that made him a natural nomad and a versatile player. Whether on bass, guitar, keys, or cello, he became a trusted collaborator in jazz, soul, and electronic circles. He has played with the Sun Ra Arkestra, toured the world with Astatke, and co-founded the experimental trio Zed-U with Shabaka Hutchings and Tom Skinner — a project that later linked him with Jonny Greenwood and Yorke’s band The Smile.
Marc’s 2022 debut 'Glass Effect' distilled his influences into a madcap, J Dilla-inspired fusion that Pitchfork praised as “evocative and full of integrity.” But he sees it as just a beginning. For 'Who Dares Wins,' Marc set up his own studio, surrounding himself with synths, drums, strings, and guitars, and embracing a freer, more mature sound. “I’ve just grown as a producer and artist,” he says. The album title riffs on the British Special Air Service motto "Who Dares Wins,” twisting it into something cheeky and rebellious. That spirit guides the music, where grooves, samples, and wide-ranging collaborations combine into a sound that feels both restless and rooted. Kay Young, Khazali, Wahid, and Speech each bring distinct textures, while tracks like “The Blues” and “Cheddar Man” highlight Marc’s playful, exploratory production.