His work, first with the U.N. Crew and later as a solo artist, is quintessential New York underground. His moody, claustrophobic production and stream-of-consciousness, heavily stylized lyrics made him one of his era's most underappreciated auteurs.

Born Rakeem Myer, Long Island hip-hop steered his musical vision, approach, and tastes as a youth growing up in Hempstead. He cited L.I. greats such as Public Enemy, EPMD, De La Soul, and the less-known Grand Daddy I.U., as well as non-L.I. new-school pioneers Nas and the Notorious B.I.G. But it was Busta Rhymes, from Long Island's Leaders of the New School, who gave Marciano his biggest break. Busta was given a tape of early Marciano music, and the platinum-selling rapper decided to sign Marciano to his Flipmode label, which, at the time, was one of rap's foremost artist-owned imprints. Marciano appeared on Busta's Anarchy, on which he traded verses with Wu-Tang's Raekwon and Ghostface ("The Heist").

Around this time, Marciano formed the U.N., made up of Dino Brave, Laku, and Mike Raw -- all high-school classmates at Long Island's Uniondale. Together, they appeared on Pete Rock's PeteStrumentals and released their buzzworthy mixtape Strength & Honor and the 2004 LP UN or U Out? Soon, though, the crew disintegrated; they found it hard to get industry traction. Marciano forged on by dropping verses on GZA's Pro Tools and Marco Polo's Port Authority. In 2010, he released Marcberg, his official solo debut album. He handled all production and wrote and rhymed all but one verse. It was hailed by New York underground hip-hop royalty. The following year, he teamed up with the Alchemist and Oh No for the Greneberg EP. LUV NY, a supergroup set featuring Marciano beside the likes of Kool Keith and A.G., was released in July 2012. A few months later, Marciano issued his second proper album, Reloaded. ~ Vincent Thomas