Sunny Ocho - The Marcy Projects
I met rapper Sunny on the 28th of October, 2024, through his then-girlfriend Reo in New York. He took me through the Marcy Projects, a public housing development in Bed-Stuy, NYC.
As we walked, I photographed him while we got to know each other. We smoked, he showed me where he hangs out on the estate, and he told me how tough it is to live on Marcy Ave. His tattoos carry the names of lost loved ones, permanent reminders of the people he’s lost. Even in the short two hours we spent together, we were followed by the NYPD—a reality that seems woven into everyday life here.
This interview, paired with these photographs, captures a glimpse of Sunny’s world—the weight of survival, the beauty in resilience, and the unfiltered truth of life in Marcy.
INTERVIEW
What does a typical day look like for you here, from the moment you wake up to the end of the night?
A typical day for me is just trying to make it through without chaos, because usually, something is always happening in the town.
How do you think growing up here has shaped the way you approach your music and creativity?
Growing up here shaped my whole way of thinking. It’s like we’re one big, messed-up family. It makes me feel like music is the heart of my neighborhood—like all we really need is something to make us feel good, something to make us move, and we’ll be alright.
What’s one thing you wish people understood about life in Marcy Projects?
I wish people understood how hard it can be, but also how beautiful it is. People think it’s just about gentrification, but there are folks out here fighting for their lives, for real. People getting killed, all kinds of shit.
You mentioned it’s “hard” around here and that there are people with guns and challenges in the area. How do you stay grounded or motivated despite that?
I stay grounded through all the negativity by thinking about my people who are gone. They’re watching over me. My sister would want me to make her proud, and my grandma too. They weren’t slackers—they were always on something, always moving. Too turnt.
Who in this neighborhood has made the biggest impact on you, or who do you look up to around here?
I look up to God because, in my hood, that’s all we need. Too many people let another human control them instead of letting God lead their path. And that’s when the devil comes creeping in.