We recently connected with Joshua Moka and have shared our conversation below.
Joshua, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
In my experience with adversity, I’ve always found going within for support when the pressure comes on. Many things I accomplished growing up, whether it was hitting a home run or learning a difficult song in a band or choir, came from being delusional. There is something to be said for practicality and hardening your routine + habits to reach your goal, as these things are imperative to short & long-term success, but once you hit a wall and stagnate, it takes something intangible to move forward. Once you can believe in yourself more than the people or forces around you regardless of class, accessibility, training, etc., The answers will come, and success is a byproduct of applying what you discover. Pairing this with structure and goal setting is essentially undefeated by time
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been playing instruments and performing in ensembles since I was a child. My parents would never let me watch SNL, but they would always call me down to watch the performances. I would watch the Grammys and feel like I’m watching a Disney movie. I have always felt a sense of connection to the arts, and as I got older, I found that connection to grow stronger with every passing year. I even got kicked out of the band and moved into choir. During my first week in the program, I was tapped to do a solo at our next concert, and by then, the bug had bitten me, and I was hooked. In high school, I started making instrumental tracks on a cracked FL Studio software and would have my friends sing or rap over them. I was always akin to using my words, so I would write hooks for them, which enabled me to discover a new talent. Flash forward to the present. I’ve worked with many upcoming artists in various studios as a recording/mix engineer, songwriter, and creative consultant. Today, I’m very proud of the work I’ve done with J’kai Jones. He’s going to be special, and we’ve been working closely together on his projects since we met years ago. We’ve traveled around the country for music and have worked with artists on the other side of the world. I am eager to work with more people, even in the DFW. Bring ’em all!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Being realistic. You need a delusional level of confidence to achieve things your peers haven’t done. Your whole life, people will attempt to label you and put you in a box where you appear less alternative and more approachable. When one tells you to be “realistic,” it’s typically a projection based on the limits presented in their own reality. In the digital age, we can connect to people who live in places we can’t pronounce and vice versa. I grew up in the early 2000s, and the limits of interaction and what is “normal” have vastly changed in the last 20 years. Raised in a traditional Nigerian household, things I like now weren’t permitted to even think about, such as rock music or skateboard culture, tattoos, piercings, etc., let alone ask questions or explore. No one in my family has lived a life for art, creativity, or entertainment, which made it very difficult to relate to folks in my immediate circle. You must be brave to break out and show your authenticity no matter how it looks. To be realistic, you have to limit your imagination, which can limit your creativity. Creativity is our greatest strength as human beings, turning nothing into something. Our realities are subjective to our perception of them, and how we choose to respond to this defines our story.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
The biggest thing I’m known for in my creative circles is being alternative. The beats I work on, the beats I write on, my personal fashion style, and even the art that I take in through the media all stem from the norm. As a black man in the creative arts industry, Most people would assume that I rap. Many things that black artists do are categorized in the Hip-Hop & Rap atmosphere, which makes it hard for said artists to pivot or break into something that better greets their identity. I’ve always prided myself on doing what “sounds good” and what “feels real” to me, which can be subjective, but art is subjective. The continuation of working in a space that is seen as “weird” allows the canvas to grow more than a genre or subgenre. I often tell artists, “There comes a moment when something might be cringe, and you don’t care anymore.” I think this is where creativity soars.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mokadirect.wixsite.com/mokaarchive
- Instagram: joshi.moka
- Soundcloud: moka.
Image Credits
Madison Truscan
Annie Devine