Exclusive Interview Session With Up And Coming Rapper Mogunz

Kreativemindz9ja:Can we meet you sir?

Mogunz: My name is Popoola Bamaiyi OluwaSegun.. The 5th of 6kids
.. From Oyo state.. I stay at abuja but then my folks stay in Jos so I shuttle between both places.. Still in my teens.. I'm a writer, thinker, critique, plus I try to rap, I write x perform poetry, I produce and I love God. Basically.

Kreativemindz9ja: how long have you been doing what you are doing, and how did you get started in the first place?

Mogunz: Uhhh.. I think I've been writing rap since primary four.. But then I started taking it seriously at about ss3 then started recording when I got into the university. So that's basically three years I think. All my life I've always wanted to be a rapper so... School just really gave me the opportunity to express myself and explore the art.
It started when I was really young.. My folks are heavy music people so there's always been hip hop CDs around.. But then I really got into rap through my eldest brother who at that time was listening to mad dudes like mase, Eminem.. Kanye. Kanye's college dropout album's probably the earliest inspiration i ever had.

Kreativemindz9ja: In your own opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre and why?

Mogunz: Loool... That's a really tricky question.. Its too hard to answer. Cause I feel "success" is relative but then.. A lot of hip hop artists have been influential to the culture.. Ion think one can really place his finger on who and who have been the most influential. But personally there's a whole list in my head right now.. Really really long list

kreativemindz9ja: so mention few

Mogunz: There's Nas.. Jay.. Kendrick, Joey badass, Biggie, roots, wu-tang, j Cole, Ab-soul, Kanye, Crooked I, Eminem, propaganda, outkast, LUPE (which in my opinion is the best rapper of this generation), rakim.. Bdk, krs one, kid cudi.. To mention a few

Kreativemindz9ja: which famous song or sound production ultimately discribes what you'd like Mogun's music production to sound like?

Mogunz: Wow.. that's a tough question. I can't tell really cause I personally don't even know what sounds I prefer for my music.. Its constantly evolving daily. But then I really like the stuff I and my producer x big bro classified beatz have been on lately.. Its ground breaking ish to say the least. I'm all about breaking the mold so.. Ion really gravitate to pop sounds right now.
But I really like the production of jgivens.. John givez x Jon bellion

Kreativemindz9ja: Do you make your own beats and write your own lyrics?

Mogunz: No. I don't make my beats.. Yeeah I write my lyrics

kreativemindz9ja: so u do mixtapes?

Mogunz: Yeah .. Rarely these days though. God's helped me.. So my bro one mind or classified beatz makes beats for me.

Kreativemindz9ja: if you could chose to work with some of today's established artists and producers, to move your game to the top, with whom would you like to collaborate?

Mogunz:** Wow.. In Nigeria it has to be... *scratches head a bit*.. Kahli abdu, Jesse jagz,. Kid konnekt, Ikon, lindsey abudei, Poe,MI or boogey.. Internationally.. John givez, Kendrick Lamar, propaganda, timbaland, boi 1da, hit boy amongst others. But if I really had my way I'd really like to work with some fairly"underground" cats too.. Like Tay, Sute, Paybac, ceejay, gr8man, bas Mick Jenkins .. To mention a few
Kreativemindz9ja: which latest songs, videos or mixtapes releases are currently available to your fans and where can they be heard or downloaded?

Mogunz: Uhh my latest single Kamikaze just dropped .. Y'all can cop it here
http://www.madeinksu.com/2016/06/mo-kamikaze-prod-by-classified-beatz.html?m=1
Plus there's banger on the way.. "The Come Up" and in no time it'll be released.. Y'all should please just be patient. Thanks.

Kreativemindz9ja: which emotions more than any other, mostly dominates your music. joy, sadness, anger or passion etc and why?

Mogunz: I'm not even sure.. But then most of my songs are moody.. Maybe cause the music's an extension of my real life and in most times.. To certain people I am moody. But then... But then that's just life

Kreativemindz9ja: do you think the advent of internet and all new technology has helped your music or do think it creates a mass of mediocre "copycats" who floods the web making it difficult to distinguish yourself?

Mogunz: Lol.. Its really a gift and a curse.
I feel it's made distribution much more easier for artists.. And I think with or without the internet they'd still be "mediocre" artists. But if you make great art your work'll speak for u. No need to be worry bout being different.

Kreativemindz9ja: in your expirence so far, what is the best piece of advice in the business you actually followed?

Mogunz: Discover your sound and play to your strengths.. Those two things have really helped me grow as an artist..


Kreativemindz9ja: being an independent artist, which is the one factor, above all else, that you currently desire most (Increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, more clubs and live performance etc...)

Mogunz: Increased music distribution. My production is maaad right now so that's covered. I feel I have a lot to say and once the music can get to the fans.. Other things'll align the way God wants them to be.


Kreativemindz9ja: what in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself has to face and overcome, to gain any commercial success?

Mogunz: Uhh.. I think its the stereotypical boxes society has placed artists in. Its made it really hard for many really dope artists to "sell". For instance most Nigerians won't listen to songs if they aren't pop records or if the beats aren't fast enough or if you're not kicking sex
Its not like they don't like songs which aren't like these but then.. Cause of the way things are right now, they don't really gravitate towards songs which have serious content in it. Another problem too is music distribution. I mean marketing and the business end of distribution.. It's made things really difficult for independent artists in this part of the world

Kreativemindz9ja: in closing what do you have to say to your fans out there and what should the be expecting from you?

Mogunz: Uhhh.. If anybody listens to music and likes it then just know you're not just a fan.. You're family and a part of one huge story in the making. I really appreciate the genuine love and support I get from y'all..
On that note.. Y'all should expect big THINGS.. Anticipate "The come Up".. Which I'll be dropping in a few weeks and uhhh yeah
.. We've got a project y'all just chill. Love God, support the grind, listen!!! Thanks.