Music is a weapon: Use it wisely - M.O.O.S.E
Hi guys, welcome and happy new year. Sorry we have been off for a while, we are trying our best to fix the hitches and we hope to be back fully, do bear with us.
On today's episode of chat with temidada, we have a multi talented artist, who is using his music to teach and change the world at large. He has many soul lifting singles to his credit and he is also promoting his newest album currently.
Join me as we welcome M.O.O.S.E
Good day and welcome to chat with temidada
Moose: Good evening, it’s a pleasure to finally get in the hot seat.
Can we know you please?
Moose: My name is Aruna MuhammadKabir Olanrewaju Lion Jnr. I’m a HipHop/Afrotrap/Afrodrill artist from EbuteMeta WestSide, Lagos Nigeria
Why music?
Moose: You know how they say every man is destined for his own path! Well my path is music, and ever since I heard the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti said “music is a weapon, and as far as Africa is concerned music cannot be for fun”. Those words made me want to use my music for a purpose, a means of educating, motivating and Liberating the minds of my listeners that they can do better with their lives and in the world too.
It started in 2008, when I accompanied a childhood friend Daniel (Young Mc cheda) to a home studio to record a jam with a couple of his friends. When we got there introductions were made cause I was the only unfamiliar face there, when it was time to record the producer was asking who wanted to go first but none of them wanted to go first, and out of nowhere I just said me! And at first there was an awkward silence cause they were wondering what could have giving me the effrontery to say that, the producer gave a positive response; I don’t know if its cause he wanted to see me do rubbish or he just wanted to give me a shot. I put the headphones on and recorded my verse in a split second, he listened to it after I was done and didn’t say anything. In my mind I thought I had messed up so I did not even bother trying to say I wanted to listen to it too. Few weeks later some random persons walked up to me on the street and was asking if I was (wizzle) that was my name back then, when I said yes he was like “damn your verse on bounce is hard”, I was shocked because I never expected that at all, then I called the producer to know if I could get the demo, and I have never looked back since then.
What has been the experience since you started?
Moose: The experience is more than words can explain or describe. I have won and lost a lot on this path God destined for me, but even if I had the opportunity to tread a different path I’d still go down this road with love and happiness in my heart.
How many singles do you have to your credit now?
Moose: From 2011 which is when I officially started music up till now I have 21 singles released, Two Ep’s and One Tape! I have two unreleased albums with about 20 and 35 tracks.
So let's talk about your latest project "Fight For The Street Vol 1". What's the inspiration behind it?
Moose: The inspiration behind that project is majorly my neighborhood EbuteMeta WestSide.A lot has changed since I left the block two years ago! More kids are seeing scammers as role models, while others think gang banging (Cultism) is the only way they can deal with their low self-esteem. Fight for the streets vol.1 is me and brother (Leonebeatz) way of re-educating the streets that we can do better than what our society and our living conditions have subjected us to. The message I am passing is that education and morality are the core of any society that wants to thrive! And we have to stop letting religion and ethnicity get in the way of our progress as a people.
You said you do afrotrap/afrodrill; why this genre of music?
Moose: Yeah! I’d first like to clear the air by saying I’m not limited to a particular genre of music, I like to evolve and explore at the same time. So I started Afrotrap because I wanted to create a genre of music that is native to our culture and our struggle like trap is native to Atlanta and their struggle. And the funny thing is I created this genre of music as at far back as 2014 but that’s a story for another day! Afrodrill on the other hand is because Drill the genre I adopted (Afrodrill) from is known to be a violent type of music and you can tell from the energy that comes with the beat. And if I can remember vividly what my producer Leonebeatz told me as at the time we wanted to record our first drill tack Fight for the streets (single) he said “don’t let this energy take a hold of you, we have to preach positivity with this genre like we always have if we want to stand out” so my reason behind doing Afrodrill is to preach the truth with a genre of music known for spreading violence.
How has been the reception of the album so far?
Moose: It’s been beautiful, God has been more than good to me! All my life I have made music just so people can listen to my words and my truth. I am proud to say that with this album it came to pass.
Who are your inspiration in the industry?
Moose: I’ve got a couple guys whose Journey has inspired me and my art:
1.Leshane Parish Crooks
2.Oladapo Olaonipekun Dagrin
3.Ermias Ashgedom Nipsey Hussle
5.Jermaine Cole
6.Kendrick Duckworth Lamar
7.Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
What should we expect next from you?
Moose: Fight for the streets vol.2! Had a couple of our sisters say I didn’t make any record educating them on vol.1, so vol.2 is majorly dedicated to them.
Are you signed to a record label yet?
Moose: No! We are signed to our own Imprint (LionMovement) but we are open to partner with a record label if the opportunity arises
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Moose: I was asked this same question on Twitter a couple weeks ago and my answer still remains the same ”being the positive beacon of Hope for the younger generation, that they can be whoever they dream to be without ever switching up on themselves”.
What was your parent's reaction when you said you were going into music?
Moose: My dad threatened to beat the crap out of me if I ever go back to studio after I recorded my first track with Daniel (Young Mc Cheda) and his friends. So I saved up and went back to the studio again to record my second track: when he heard it, he told me straight up it wasn’t good enough and ask me how much it would cost to record in a standard studio. Found out the price and he paid for it in full, and has been a huge support to the grind up till date. My mum gave me her blessings right before she passed in 2014. Their reaction was not yes at first, but it is now and that’s all that matters.
So what is your advice to up and coming music artist in Nigeria?
Moose: Many might not consider me to be in that position to give out advises yet considering I’m still up and coming myself! So as a brother to another brother and sister, my advice is “The dream always Pays, you just have to stay patient, keep on hoping, keep on believing and one day you will get it too. Believe and stay with God Almighty.
Thank you for your time with us, it has been a good ride with you and we hope to see you doing great in the future.
Moose: God bless you once again for the opportunity my brother! I pray the same and more for you forever #Godistheplug
To catch up with our guest on the social media:
Instagram @moosemovement
Twitter @moosemovement17
Snapchat @Lionkuti
Facebook @Arun Lion Jnr
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