The popularization of Kickstarter has been noticeably beneficial for local hip-hop. In

The popularization of Kickstarter has been noticeably beneficial for local hip-hop. In February Macklemore raised over $18,000 from more than 400 fans to film visuals for “Wings,” and more recently the Blue Scholars “signed to the people” via the fund-raising network and financed their third LP Cinemetropolis with $62,000 contributed by 2,200 backers. Now following them down that path is Seattle University student Marcus D, the pianist and producer of mellow, jazzy, Japanese-styled hip-hop beats that earned him a record deal overseas–who’s looking for $6,000 to finance his sophomore LP Melancholy Hopeful.In true Kickstarter form, donation incentives include exclusive unreleased material and early access to the release–or, for the high rollers, a beatmaking or piano lesson ($200) and a lunch/record digging trip ($1,000).Marcus’s 2008 debut producer LP Revival of the Fittest featured appearances from notable national names like Royce Da 5’9″ as well as local favorites like Blue Scholars’ Geo, Grynch, and Brainstorm–but considering his age and the taste from last October’s Shoshin EP, a lot of progress happened in three short years.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.