We were lucky to catch up with M.O.E. Reese recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi M.O.E. , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was a mixtape I released in 2022 called “Even If I Never Make It”. This project was meaningful because I was able to raise over $1500 by donations from over 40 people. It really showed me that people supported my art and what I was doing. I asked for a $30 donation and some people went above and beyond. As an independent creator looking to live fully off my art, there was something inside me that unlocked ever since.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Since a kid, I fell in love with rap watching 106 & park and rap city every day after school but it was always an “out of reach dream”. Years later, I started doing music in my dorm room as a freshman at Livingstone College, just recording on a laptop and a microphone with some free recording program. During that time my family was going through a tough time financially and ended up being homeless for a short period of time which made me decide to drop out of school and pursue being a rapper full time. Shortly after making that decision I learned quickly that there wasn’t any short cuts to success. So I worked countless jobs full time meanwhile releasing my music and marketing myself using social media and any resource available.
I like to describe my music as a rapper who shares his story of growing up seeing the struggles of the streets but still choose his own path within that environment. I’m often compared to artists like J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Rod Wave (as far as subject matter).
I’m most proud of my ability to create music that resonates with people who feel connected to me simply by sharing my life’s experiences or views. The main thing I want someone who comes across M.O.E. Reese to know is that I plan to use my music and message to heal and build connections so if you vibe with my energy and my music, come join me on my journey.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn everything I thought I knew about marketing my music. I think social media showed us that there is unlimited ways of being creative and getting your message out. So I had to let go of all my preconceived notions on what worked and what didn’t.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I think they are the future for creatives and building community. I’m mad the conversation around NFTs died out because the hype but I think they’ll definitely make a comeback real soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/myonlyescape
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moereesemusic
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/moereese3rd
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moereesemusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MOEReese