“I am the first Saudi rapper who raps in English. I am the first Saudi who actually reached out to the world with deep words like in my first official track ‘Arab Pride,’” he told Arab News.
Born in Madinah and raised in Denver, Colorado and Jeddah, Moe remembers spending his life in all three places. At 26, he admits it was an intricate turn in his life when he opted to pursue his passion by using the medium of music in the English language — something he feels allows him to be understood by all and not just Arabs.
“What people need to know is that I do my tracks in English because my main plan is to reach the outside world and spread the power of Islam in a global language,” said Moe.
The rapper said the media often spreads falsehood about Islam and hence his agenda to turn that around. His first chance to do this was when he heard a track called “Arab Money Remix.”
“They were singing part of the Qur’an in the track. So I made my own song, “Arab Pride,” to show them that it is wrong to sing Qur’anic verses in a song.”
Moe dares to be different and his songs are a message for those who have the courage to listen. “I respect all religions,” he pleads in his song asking others to do the same with Islam. Moe stepped out of his comfort zone to face the world with a true face and call for unity among his people regardless of cast, culture and creed. Adding substance to rap here is the rapper in an exclusive interview with Arab News.
Rap is not my job. It is my hobby. It is my way of expressing myself. It is my plan to change the world. In response, I was told to make it my job and make big money out of it. Yet, being a Muslim, I could not accept forbidden money, so I keep doing it for the same reason I started with. The trick was how to write words with a real message instead of what we normally hear.
Everybody around me supports me in a different way. Even my haters (I love those guys) give me the push to become stronger and spread my words faster.
Big Sean is a very big part of the Saudi thug movement; he is our music producer/rapper. We started in 2009, and he has been his music ever since.
My swag is the power that Allah gave us as united, strong and smart Muslims. My fear is not being able to influence my brothers and sisters around the world and give them the same swag.
Tupac, Eminem, TI, Damien Marley, BIGGIE.
Yes, especially here in KSA.
My brother Ibro: A strong freestyler soon to join Saudi Thugs
Qusai: A strong Arab/English rapper
Run Junction: A global crazy mix of producers and rappers here in Jeddah
Jeddah Fam: Rappers and R&B singers
Speech: A young freestyler with talent
JOKER JR: Arabic rapper from Makkah
Timbash: Arabic/English rapper who does R&B music as well
Double D: an old school rapper
AD: A gifted R&B singer/rapper
Rap = Reality. Mostly everything in Arabic music is about love, sadness or just a crazy beat that will make you move your body to the same topics.
Yes, it is. And for the same reason, I started as soon as I discovered that people really like the way I express myself and started using that to spread my message.
I did that because the track was called “Saudi’s Rap King,” so it was my own twist in mixing them both. I come from Saudi Arabia, the center of Islam. What better place can I represent?
The media in general is affecting us all in everything, mostly in a bad way. This is especially the case with the youth because they mostly watch, hear, learn and then copy them — the good and the bad. That’s why I am using English, so it can impact the world in a good way, with the same thing that started the whole mess (media).
I plan on keeping it real and setting a good example by spreading the Muslim essence and moving away from talking about love, sex, drugs, money or fame.
Creating an open-minded and strong Muslim generation, then actually talking to them instead of rapping for them.
Uniting all the Muslims for once.
At the moment you can’t because I don’t sell my tracks, but soon I’ll find a way to use the money for a good cause and then Yeje Jnaan (my own production) will make it big!
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