Open Mic Presents… Moka Only (Interview Series Ep. 26)

Moka Only is a name that should be rather familiar to people within underground rap circles. Bursting onto the scene in the 90s, Moka has grown drastically as an artist. Known as a critically acclaimed rapper and producer, Moka has worked as a member of the Swollen Members, and has collaborated with countless heads, especially west coast artists. His latest album, The Lowdown Suite 2: The Box, has been getting impressive reviews across the board including 4.5 Potholes. Moka took his time to talk with us, dropping some inside knowledge on his music-making philosophies, and giving us a sneak peak at some BIG upcoming plans. Check it out.

Alistair: What’s up? How are things?
Moka: Things are thingish – in Mokanese terms that would translate to “couldn’t be better,” thank you.

Alistair: With so many albums in your catalogue, where do you look in order to find inspiration for coming up with fresh material?
Moka: I’m really just a ‘musicaholic’, completely enamored and submersed in all things musical, so as a base I find that inspiration enough, and then on top of that my daily activities, friends and touring help round out the urge to notate situations in music format.

Alistair: Being from Vancouver, do you find that there is a certain type of aspect of the culture within the city that particularly has had an effect on your music or your career?
Moka: Hmmm… Good question… Well there are a number of things in life which I take interest in aside from music, even though that’s my main [interest] – things such as mid-century modernist architecture, geography, aviation and railroading, and Vancouver has more than enough of all those. It’s a city with much variance, the dirty and the delectable, and so I’m sure it has helped shape my sonics to a degree.

Alistair: How did working with artists such as Prevail, Madchild, and Len help you grow as an artist?
Moka: Me and Prevail grew up together and were very inspired by the Native Tongues, KMD, Brand Nubian, Big Daddy Kane, etc… The ‘golden era’ I suppose.  He is younger than me, and after I learned from elder cats, I in turn taught Prevail what I had accumulated.  Madchild – we met later and he was on a similar tangent. Len is some cats from Toronto that just wanted to have some fun. A lot of joking. I don’t think working with these people altered my vision much. We all contributed equally to a whole.

Alistair: You added some verses on the latest Swollen Members joint, Black Magic, back in 2006. Is there any talk of working on another album with them?
Moka: On their Black Magic album I added vocals to one new song. The song with Everlast was recorded in 2003 – much earlier when I was still an active group member. As for the future I want to just continue as I’m doing and try to expand my repertoire. If they want to collab, I’m game though, of course. The truth of the matter is our music is vastly different now. Our vision is different so that probably has deterred more collabs from happening. It certainly isn’t a personal problem. Just art. For instance, I’m not going to record with somebody merely because we are friends. To me there isn’t a lot of merit in that sentiment. It’s nice like ice cream and all, but I’d rather be able to fit into the piece of art being constructed rather than push a triangle through a round hole, dig what I’m sayin’? If there’s an opportunity where it seems like a good match then yes, I’m game.

Alistair: You’ve been known to release multiple albums within the same year. Do you take different approaches into the creation of each album?
Moka: Well naturally, yes, but it’s wholly dependent on what vibe and mood I’m in. [It] could be just a title that I think of that spawns the entire project, such as with Carrots and Eggs, which by the way, doesn’t mean anything at all. It’s just two words that are funny together, and I do use absurdity as a propellant in art. I’m not trying to ‘out-record’ other cats, I just do what I feel, and I have a lot to give. I don’t care too much about what other rap music guys are doing. Only a few catch my ear really. Not to be a snob, but I’m not one to be conservative or P.C. either.

Alistair: Since you jumped on the scene back in the 90s, how have you and your music grown throughout your career?
Moka: Since the 90s, I just feel I’m better now. It’s less innocent but at least I have a fuller grasp of all types of music, and I find [music] even more interesting to me now than I ever did. I think I’m partially scientific with it, and part spiritually driven. It’s whatever.

Alistair: You’ve released two albums very recently here in 2009, Airport 3, and Lowdown Suite 2: The Box. Did you have a favorite of the two, and if so, why?
Moka: Well, Airport is an ongoing series – It’s really just my annual spring mixtape. I have to say Lowdown is my fave. Getting lots off my chest with that one plus it is a sequel album. A lot of cheeseburgers get eaten, all over the world.

Alistair: Let’s dig into Lowdown Suite 2: The Box. There are only three guests throughout the whole album, and you handled the production of nearly the entire album. Do you find that you’re able to make your best work when you maintain as much control as possible over the direction of the music?
Moka: I maintain absolute control at all times. 100 percent. That’s the only way I like to do it. I’m not huge on guest appearances anyhow. I’d rather do collab albums that have a bunch of cats on my album.

Alistair: On that note, could you talk a little about how the process goes down when you do have a guest spot on your album? Do you find that you work well with very like-minded artists more than artists who bring a contrasting style?
Moka: I’d rather work with like minds. Then we aren’t forcing anything. I may ‘eff’ around though sometimes and surprise people with a Lil’ Wayne, or a Patrick Stump, or something out of the box – just to twist people up a bit. Haha.

Alistair: Many tracks had a mellow jazz and/or soul-type vibe to them. Do you find that you draw from these genres a lot when producing?
Moka: Yeah, I suppose I’ve always been jazz influenced. It’s what I listened to at a younger age, and it stuck with me. Prog. rock is obviously a source too as shown on my stuff. Haha. For sure! Jazz touches me inappropriately, haha. I’m not trying to be ‘jazzy.’ In fact, it irritates me when a record reviewer refers to my work as “that jazzy-hip hop” haha. But I realize people need to file things in certain categories. God, I probably do it too. Haha.

Alistair: What else can we expect from you as we enter the second half of 2009?
Moka: I’m working on a full length with Mr. Brady, and a full length with Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, as well as some more music with Kissey Asplund from Sweden. Also, my alias, Ron Contour, is making a big comeback. I’m trying to finish twenty new Ron Contour albums by the end of the summer. Two are going to be released in August. One is called The Summer of  Ron, and it’s on Domination Records. I love it. Ron is my… uhh… first cousin. Let people know, haha. The other Ron album to be released in August is Ron Contour IS Hot-L, and that’s on Legendary Entertainment. Also on Domination Records, I have an album with my homeboy PSY coming out called MELBA. It’s absurdist, dada hip-hop at its best… or its worst, haha.

Thank you for the interview. And the review. It made me feel good to see people actually pay attention or even care.

One love, Moka.