The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email it to [email protected].
This Week's Rapper's Drummer: Mike Moore
This Week's Subject(s): Diddy and Coming to America; working with rappers.
Two Saturdays ago, Slim Thug was one of the opening acts for Young Jeezy. His largely enjoyable set featured an airtight performance by drummer Mike Moore, whose interpretation of J-Dawg's "First 48" was particularly impressive. Moore, turns out, is actually a Houstonian. So here we are.
Ask A Rapper: You were on that Making the Band show, right? What was that like?
Mike Moore: Yes, I was on MTV's Diddy's Making His Band. It was amazing. Living in a house with 25 other musicians chasing the same goal was life-changing.
AAR: More specifically, what was Diddy like? I heard that he has girls throw rose petals at his feet when he walks like Coming to America. Only instead of rose petals, they throw $10 bills, and instead of $10 bills, they're $100 bills. True or false?
MM: Diddy is really cool, real talk [laughs]. He doesn't have the chicks throwing money at his feet, but it's kinda like he's a real king when he comes through. Watching all those top MTV executives running scared when he enters the room; priceless.
AAR: More and more, rappers seem to be gravitating towards incorporating live instruments in their performances. When someone approaches you for a show, are they just like, "Yo, I want you to perform these songs with me. Learn them." How does that work? And how long does it take to figure out the songs? Like, let's say "First 48." How long was it before you learned that one? I mean, I don't imagine J-Dawg gave you sheet music.
MM: . It's actually a blessing how the industry is going back for the live sound now. With homies like Travis Barker, Adam Blackstone, Joe Wilson, Omar Edwards, Ricky Minor and many others, they're making these R&B, pop and rap records sound amazing with the live instrumentation added.
But to answer your question, it's kinda different for me as far as learning the music because working with a lot of these rap artists a lot of times I'm already a fan, so it makes the learning stage extra easy.
AAR: Your favorite rap song to play live is...
MM: I would have to say my favorite song to play live right now... hmmm, it's a tie between the new Rick Ross, "Maybach Music 3" with T.I., and the new Bun B, "Trillionaires."
AAR: Anything we can plug?
MM: I'm also now working with Chico DeBarge, Bun B, Carl Thomas and Slim Thug. I'm also working on a mixtape coming out through Rap-A-Lot. It's gonna feature some of the hottest new rap/R&B records with a live twist on it.
And last but not least I'm working on shooting a pilot for a new reality show. It's gonna highlight and show the life of a dope musician who has just won a reality show but also is an artist, a father and a friend who travels and performs at different clubs at with different artist around the world but based in Houston living and maintaining in the Houston nightlife.
