Vancouvers Moka Only may very well be the most prolific man in hip-hop, dropping so many releases on top of each other that every set should come with a recap just so fans know what theyve missed. With next record Carrot and Eggs already waiting at chambers edge, Moka quickly fires off Clap Trap, a beat-driven scattershot of raw ideas spliced into two-minute segments that last just long enough to get you attuned to one sound before its on to the next. Tension and conflicted moods run throughout the producer/MCs detailed creations, like the weighted piano, protruding bass line, creeping guitar wails and disconcerting effects of the frustrated "Time To Clean Up or the ominous, meandering keys of "Bank On It. The intricate, late night grooves that fill out the set offer just as much musical food for thought, and Moka goes out strong, his muted, distant voice echoing to noted effect on closing Beatles cover "And I Love Her. Interested parties better get this one while its hot because, at this mans pace, Clap Trap will undoubtedly be three albums old and gone by the end of the year.
Do you find your lyrics sometimes take a back seat to the music?
I do definitely cater to people that are more beat-oriented and that enjoy the music and not just lyrics, cause to tell you the truth, the only reason that I really do the raps is so that I have some icing on the cake. Ill admit, Im really not even saying all that much; Im just vibing out thats all it is. I dont have the answer to the universe and I dont have the solution to political woes. All Im trying to do is just make some moods and lighten things up a little bit for people.
Are fans generally able to keep up with all of your releases?
No, but thats their problem, its not mine. I do it for me. And I dont have any illusions about my status; I dont wile-out thinking Im this big star. I truly just do it, and its nice to be able to make a living off it and be able to eat off it. But fortunately I feel like the buzz is really coming back, and its opening a lot of new doors for me. Its not like in the past when I did the stuff with Swollen Members. We had some lucky breaks and it blew up and Im grateful for that but with this and me doing it only when I want to and not worrying about the commercial crowd, its taken a lot longer.
(Urbnet)Do you find your lyrics sometimes take a back seat to the music?
I do definitely cater to people that are more beat-oriented and that enjoy the music and not just lyrics, cause to tell you the truth, the only reason that I really do the raps is so that I have some icing on the cake. Ill admit, Im really not even saying all that much; Im just vibing out thats all it is. I dont have the answer to the universe and I dont have the solution to political woes. All Im trying to do is just make some moods and lighten things up a little bit for people.
Are fans generally able to keep up with all of your releases?
No, but thats their problem, its not mine. I do it for me. And I dont have any illusions about my status; I dont wile-out thinking Im this big star. I truly just do it, and its nice to be able to make a living off it and be able to eat off it. But fortunately I feel like the buzz is really coming back, and its opening a lot of new doors for me. Its not like in the past when I did the stuff with Swollen Members. We had some lucky breaks and it blew up and Im grateful for that but with this and me doing it only when I want to and not worrying about the commercial crowd, its taken a lot longer.