Photographer: Paul Baichoo

Marilyn, an icon since his extremely influential days in the New Romantic scene of the 80s, has unveiled his brand new single 'Love or Money'. As a champion for self-expression, Marilyn had a great impact on society and paved the way for many. He challenged peoples ideas of gender as a man of incredible beauty, looking every bit as good dressed in women’s clothes as his idol Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn explains, ‘I used to bring Oxford Street to a standstill. If you had bleached hair in the late 70s, you were gobbed at in the street. I mean, I was also wearing a corset, stilettos and an antique dress. I just didn’t care’.

Alongside David Bowie and Boy George, Marilyn and co were recognised as being the vanguards of non gender specific fashion. Marilyn modelled for designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier. A regular at ‘The Blitz’ nightclub run by Steve Strange of Visage, the club was the go to venue for Spandau Ballet, Boy George and many others from the burgeoning New Romantic scene. Twenty years later, Marilyn is back and better than ever.

Close friend and long time confidant Boy George has co-written and produced Marilyn's new music. The pair have had a long, and in spite of everything, enduring friendship which began when they shared a squat in London's West End as teenagers. Speaking of the new single ‘Love Or Money’ Marilyn explains, ‘it was the first song George and I wrote/recorded together in the studio, earlier this year. It came about so organically and it was George who suggested going back to my roots, sonically - taking inspiration from the rhythms of the islands that soundtracked my childhood. I was born in Jamaica, spent the early years of my life there, I have duel English/Jamaican citizenship. Reggae has been a huge influence, but I'd never thought to incorporate it in to my own music before’. The track is being released on Marilyn’s own label Mmm.music through RightTrack/Universal.

Listen to 'Love Or Money’: https://soundcloud.com/user-805992681/love-or-money-final-radio-edit/s-u85tr