BY: JADE LEONARD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KRIS ANDERSON, JAELIN COLLIER & TEVO LaRON
A love affair can exist between an individual and their music. The words that go unsaid when your heart feels the joy and the pain. The expressions it gives and the moods it uplifts. The artist, the message, the beat, and the vibes. Hip Hop has evolved into a space where anyone from any background can create their own path in the industry and connect to various walks of life. One of those creative artist is MoThoro, who has music running through his veins, literally. Inspired from a young age, Mothoro launched himself into LA's Hip Hop scene back in high school, and gettin' it out the mud ever since. Furthermore, not only is MoThoro musically inclined, he's business savvy as well. In 2019, he received his Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from the illustrious Hampton University. If you're reading this remember, take a stand in your beliefs! You can't let "society" deter you from your vision. You deserve what you claim. So without further ado, I present to you a young black creative that's navigating his way through the Hip-Hop game, with a calling to serve and uplift his community. Ladies and gents give it up for "MoThoro The Groove God".
The UpNext: How would you describe MoThoro in 3 words?
Mo: In three words I would describe myself as Multifaceted, Innovative, and Impactful.
The UpNext: Who first got you into music?
Mo: I soaked up game from my father who used to write and perform his own music under the name "Real Thorough". My father’s influence was so strong, it inspired the creation of my name: “MoThoro” and the rest is history.
The UpNext: Which artists inspire you the most?
Mo: I’m inspired by all types of music, especially genres outside of hip-hop. The most inspiring artists to me are Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle. K. Dot really pushes the envelope and soundscape of music every time he drops...and the content is always top of line. That’s something that I aspire to do with my music as well. Nip inspires me on the business end. How he started ground up and gave back to his community in the process, definitely my plan going forward.
The UpNext: At what point did you realize that being an artist was your calling?
Mo: I realized being an artist was my calling in high school. I was always able to finesse through school but I never really had a prime interest in any specific field...besides entertainment and music. Once I started perfecting my craft and getting looks from folks as a result of my music, I knew I would take it all the way!
The UpNext: What is your creative process like?
Mo: I’ll generally make a beat or sit with Walt Mansa (one of the producers on my label) and conceptualize a topic or melody. Then I just build on it incrementally from there. Most times I start with the flow or the melody though. Definitely like to cook in my room, where I have full creative control.
The UpNext: How do you separate Mo the guy versus MoThoro the artist?
Mo: They really are the same person (lol). MoThoro's just a lil' cooler slash swaggier. Mo be getting to the money though, then reinvest his money into MoThoro.
The UpNext: If you could open for any artist who would it be and why?
Mo: If I could open for any artist I don’t really have too much of a preference on who it would be. Definitely somebody with a similar crowd as me like J. Cole, K. Dot, or Smino.
The UpNext: How do you remain resilient?
Mo: I keep my faith in God and continue to come up with innovative ways to stay inspired. I been making music a LONG time though so it be hard sometimes, can’t lie.
The UpNext: Who and what is LFTFLD? How did it begin?
Mo: LFTFLD is a label/music collective that was started with my bestfriend and longtime collaborator, Rasual. It consists of Rasual (rapper/producer), Hutchthegift (rapper), Agon (rapper), Walt Mansa (producer/engineer), DJ Yungheard (DJ/engineer), Chaun Phattz (designer), Omah (Manager), and Lorenz (President). We all came together naturally and just been making moves. Dropped our first collaborative project titled “Invite Only” on all streaming platforms earlier this summer.
The UpNext: What's your favorite part about this industry? Your least favorite? Why?
Mo: My favorite part is making the songs and listening to them before they come out. I get a lot of joy out of the process. My least favorite part is the business side. It’s a lot of shadiness that goes one and you’re expected to ride the wave. Sh*t gets annoying after awhile. It’s not based on talent.
The UpNext: What’s the best advice you've received?
Mo: Play the game to change the game, don’t just play to play. If you gon' be in the game might as well contribute something to it, don’t just be in there as a placeholder. That’s something that I learned from a J. Cole interview that stuck with me since.
The UpNext: What’s next for you?
Mo: I’m releasing an EP with the producer K. FIsha, on August 28, 2020. Other than that I'll be working on my next album and building LFTFLD, while preparing for our artists' next release. Be on the lookout for everything coming soon!
IG: Mothoro
Comments