BEN THOMAS: MARATHON MAN
In June of 2020, everything changed for Ben Thomas. After achieving so many of his life goals the previous year, he was fired from the job that was meant to be the final link in his career path. He wasn’t fired for a failure to perform his duties, but for his attempts to bring accountability to executive leadership for the health and safety of his employees. Amidst a pandemic, Ben had managed the largest crisis this collection of people had faced with no guidance or support. Despite that, he was relieved of his duties when the light was finally visible at the end of the tunnel. Just as we have all the witnessed the absence of leadership in this country the last four years, the absence of leadership was evident in this circumstance. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Ben Thomas didn’t have to go to work the next day. His wife, the most incredible support system, convinced him to invest in himself instead of giving his heart and soul for other’s profit. So for the first time in 8 years, Marathon Man picked up the pen.
ENTER MY UNIVERSE
BEN THOMAS
In January 2011, Ben Thomas moved from Columbus, OH to Atlanta. The four years he spent in ATL changed his life forever. He had developed his physical form to its peak through marathon training. During the moments of nirvana that followed 20 mile runs, he found another voice. Ben Thomas started writing music; just to release the words from his mind. He traveled to Nashville to link with an old friend from home, Brother Tavis. Through this musical journey, the Marathon Man was created. In May of 2012, The Marathon Man EP was released.
MARATHON MAN
It all began in 2012 with the Marathon Man EP. Following the completion of the album, Ben Thomas, the Marathon Man, put down the pen. His musical journey wasn’t over, but the desire to create was lost. Events in his life had shaken him to his core, and the prospect of the future was bleak…That all changed when he met his soulmate, Victoria. She reopened his heart, and with it; his desire to create. He began writing again…
Then in June of 2020, events in his life once again took a dark turn. This time however, he found motivation in the struggle. For the first time since 2012, with a purpose, the Marathon Man picked up the pen….
THE BOOK OF MARATHON
I. ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP
This album is about facing injustice, head on, wherever it is found. My whole life I have hidden myself, in fear of the consequences I would face for being me. This is not a new awakening, this is not a revelation from a social media thread. This is 34 years of the Black experience in this country. I’m set to release my whole being through these records. I wear another mask now; it’s something I haven’t put on in a while.
THE MARATHON MAN IS BACK!
II. THE TOUCH
This album is about evolution. Entering another universe through the eyes of Marathon Man. This journey explores the fictional worlds he used to escape the harsh reality of his childhood.
You got THE TOUCH
You got THE POWER
III. CATACLYSM OF FAYTH
It all began, aeons ago, when man's ancestors, picked up a shard of strange stone. It’s power, which was beyond human comprehension, cultivated dreams...Memories, spoken through the sword, cast down from the stone, now, the story, can be told…Only time, will see how it all ends…
The next chapter, in the book of Marathon
Cataclysm of Fayth
IV. A NEW HOPE
a new hope, it’s what you were missing, they can strike all they want, but I’m gone reach the finish, even if, I’m the last one standing, I will give my life, for the next generation, for the revolution, for the rebel alliance, a new hope, for all of us, is inside us, you gotta bring out, you gotta walk it out, yo, you gotta shout it out loud, a long time ago, isn’t now,
So we keep moving FORWARD, ’til we finish the SOUND.
V. VICTORIA
So many ceilings shattered, so many broken bones, when our day comes, liberation the ring tone. our day will come, Isaac said it, 40 years ago, 400 years ago, taken from homes, draped in chains, but never broken. we overcome, everything you’ve done to us, we still stand, for everyone, on that bus. even the ones, holding the binds, because my people, will elevate, beyond your crimes, beyond your times, you put us through so much, don’t you think we’ll survive. we are the future, we are the present, we are past, do you get it.
BLACK FUTURE BLACK EVERYTHING BLACK PRIDE
THE BOOK OF MARATHON
In an attempt to connect with the elements which protect the Earth, Ben Thomas entered the Hyperbolic Chamber. He emerges from his slumber centuries later than he had intended. The world he knew was gone, and what stands before him are his worst fears realized. With his newfound connection to the Earth, he will use all the elements to end the greed that has engulfed the planet. To secure the future,