We’re looking forward to introducing you to Big Mooky. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Big, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
I often speak about the idea or myth of overnight success. I’ve been asked a couple times in past interviews about whether or not that was something I wanted when I first started or if I wanted something similar now. When I first started taking music semi-seriously, there were plenty of opportunities that were seemingly presented to me with the notion that success was right around the corner if I were to “act now”. Looking back now, having done this for a few years, I am glad I didn’t “act” or jump at the possibility of overnight stardom. I don’t think I would’ve been able to handle it at all. On top of that, having had more experience now, anyone who is offering a fast track or a secret solution to fame is a con artist preying on the fact you have big dreams. Never feel pressured to “act fast”, that’s how decisions are made in times of desperation and it is how mistakes are made. Stay focused, stay consistent, and stay the course.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist that goes by the name “Big Mooky” which comes from my mom’s nickname for me growing up. I mostly make rap and hip-hop but I never want to feel confined by style and genre. Fans have compared my music to Mac Miller, Juice Wrld, Lil Peep, $uicideboy$, and mgk. My music talks a lot about perseverance, self-improvement, and peace & love. These are all themes and subjects that I strongly believe in and stand on; community is everything. Over the past couple of years I’ve gone from being a faceless entity to going on two regional tours and taking the stage more times than can count. In my performances I try to create the vibe of a massive rock show where you’re surrounded by friends and family whether you no the people or not. I give everything I have at my performances, every bit of me is on that stage. I’ve just released my first single of the year in addition to dropping two new music videos and signing onto a 3-show residency at The Pour House Music Hall.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
There’s a guy that I consider a brother at this point, I don’t to infringe on his privacy so I’ll leave his name out. We met originally because he the brother of my girlfriend at the time. Since the day we met, he had been so kind and supportive of everything I did and set out to do. I had barely started making music when we started seeing more of each other and to this day I can’t think of someone who played my music more than him. “You’re going to be massive; I can’t wait to see you on stage.” Years later he has been to as many of my shows as his schedule allows and he literally SCREAMS every single lyric. He knew who I was way before I did.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The vast majority, if not all of my art and music stems from suffering. I have always felt that true art comes from some sort of suffering, as dark as that sounds. There’s a comedian that said “the road to a W is riddled with Ls” meaning that it takes a lot of losing to get a proper win. Succeeding without ever having faced true loss or failure doesn’t hit the same, nor does it feel fully valid or earned. Suffering has given me grace, patience, and understanding. Imagining a version of myself without what suffering has taught me is hard because I probably wouldn’t be making music, I’d probably be an accountant or something.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The idea of the public persona vs. the private self is something that I speak about often. I think when I initially started presenting myself to the world as a musician, I felt anxious about being my true self and often put on a front or some sort of barrier of persona. As I have evolved as not only as an artist but as a person, I have definitely felt the shift to where I am now presenting the real version of me. I try to act the same in all aspects of my life and do away with a persona that is separate from me. I am Big Mooky, Big Mooky is me, there is only one person. The Big Mooky you meet when I get off stage is the Big Mooky who’s waiting in line for a burrito, you get me? The music feels more real when you know that the artist is speaking his ultimate truths.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Would you keep making music if no one ever listened to it? I find versions of this question circling me whenever when I am surrounded by other artists. I think it’s a question that every artist must face, regardless of medium. I always have given my best when it comes to my artistry and everything surrounding it. It took a while before anybody listened to my music and even now, trying to get “praised” or seen those around me is often still the focal point when talking about releasing new songs or projects. I am in an industry where being “praised” and having the most eyes on you is seen as the goal or “success” but that’s only if you are looking at it solely as an industry or a business. Music is and has always been so much more to me than a means of obtaining notoriety or getting rich. When I make a song it’s because I have a feeling that has turned into an earworm that bothers me until its out. Making music is my form of therapy and release. Even if the world went deaf, I’d keep making my music because it helps me be a better person of myself and work through my issues. Praise is a nice bonus that let’s me know that maybe I’m headed in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UNctxMvC0bc5CBca7pfW2?si=Ck1CEvnFR6qxxZPYGSXmGg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmookymusic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsbigmooky
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigmookymusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bigmooky/tracks
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigmookymusic
Image Credits
@safaail05
