Marcus D’s new single “Daruma,” featuring Noveliss, is out now everywhere, from his first non-instrumental solo album in nearly 10 years, titled “The Keeper,” a spiritual successor to 2020’s “Kirin.” In Japanese folklore (and other Asian cultures), the daruma is a paper-mache doll dipped in colored paint to represent different goals and virtues that humans should aspire to. Stemming from Hinduism and Buddhism, the dolls are made with the eyes intentionally left blank so that once the owner has decided on a certain goal or wish, they fill in the first eye. Once that goal or wish has been completed or come to fruition, they fill in the second eye and display the doll until it’s burned in a ritual ceremony that represents the completion of the daruma’s path. lyrics Yo check it I choose red for the appearance, lookin in the mirror dipped in good luck and perseverance, how could you inspire although blind to my desires? one day the vision will show we completed this through the fire/ the journey perpetual, a dream a destination, though distant it should be left alone/ the pursuit of perfection can leave us feelin inept without achievement when unfulfilled is how we build being complete then nanakorobi ya oki, fall seven times get up eight, but you don’t know me, you should know the way, whether a resolution or a revolution, daruma in your path the reminder to keep it movin In completion the only passes way to the next thing when we’re satisfied, what’s the point of continuing? daruma bestow me the endurance to reach the truest in/ i give it sight, but only one eye, it starts in your mind/ nanakorobi ya oki, fall seven times get up eight, but you don’t know me, you should know the way, whether a resolution or a revolution, daruma in your path the reminder to keep it movin nanakorobi ya oki, fall seven times get up eight, but you don’t know me, you should know the way, whether a resolution or a revolution, daruma in your path the reminder to keep it movin an ambition seein a mountain in the distance the road’s slick, covered in blood sweat and difficult decisions/ ultimatums and visions, regrets can pay you a visit/ a reminder to look down and embrace before you descend it/ nanakorobi ya oki, fall seven times get up eight, but you don’t know me, you should know the way, whether a resolution or a revolution, daruma in your path the reminder to keep it movin the mountain was high, now climb, providing full sight/ the dark tales that tell of progress/ who believe in one eye in the beginning, the second after completion/ the only thing left to do is reflect and visualize what’s next/ reflection in the water can take you back where you started/ would you do it differently? a regret, a piece of the incomplete/ a new story begins, a new eye, you fill it in, a guide to remind you everywhere that you’ve been, but only after the celebration of ashes/ (Buddhist chant) credits released July 26, 2024 Written by Noveliss Produced by Marcus D Mixed by Vitamin D Mastered by Justin Weis Cover art by Marcus D Sutra readings and Ogoma ritual performed at Nishi-arai Daishi by temple Souryo
