STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
An Interview with local artist, Mo-16
By: Marlen Gonzalez
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News
Born in Senegal and raised in Jersey City, NJ, the 25-year-old Mohamet Diagne, a business major at New Jersey University, sat down with the Gothic Times to talk about music, life and what it means to be Mo-16.
What are three words to describe you?
"I'm loyal, funny, hard-working. I'm an only child and was forced to make friends and keep them. I just wanted to show them the real me. I'm naturally funny and I get hard-working from my father and mother. Money don't fall from the sky. You hustle for anything you want to get. Life is a hustle."
What does your artist name Mo- 16 stand for?
"Mo is the first two letters of my name and 16 is for the day I was born."
How long have you been involved in music?
"I was always surrounded by music. I had a couple of friends that were always doing music. When I was 20, 21, I started to take it serious. People sitting down listening to yours words, your creation and watching their facial expressions makes it all worth it."
Who are your musical inspirations?
"Of course Tupac Shakur. He has been the biggest influence in my music. Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Maxwell-I'm big on R.Kelly. They inspire me to make good music and keep pushing."
What does music mean to you?
"When you're stressed, you listen to music. It can help you relieve, ease your mind. I try to stand out as much as I can. I'm still learning as an artist. Whatever you do in life, you can go there and make it happen…motivation."
What are you most grateful for?
"I'm grateful for my mother because she's my backbone. She's the reason why I changed my life. I'm grateful to be alive. A lot of people don't get to see 25. I'm grateful to Nemo, my producer; he's had a lot to do with being the artist I am today. His whole production makes it easier to make music."
What does it feel like to perform live in front of your fans?
"It motivates you to make music. People taking three minutes of their time to watch you; it's a blessing."
What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
"In the music industry, it's not what you know, it's who you know. If you're a nobody, then they will pass up on you. It's always business and nothing person. It's a good advantage if you're surrounded by a good team."
As we neared the end of our conversation I asked Mo what the immediate future holds for him, he said, "Taking over the world like Pinkie and the Brain and putting Jersey on the map."
To find out more about Mo-16 and hear his music check out:
Myspace.com/mo16bars and jerseyboysmusic.com
What are three words to describe you?
"I'm loyal, funny, hard-working. I'm an only child and was forced to make friends and keep them. I just wanted to show them the real me. I'm naturally funny and I get hard-working from my father and mother. Money don't fall from the sky. You hustle for anything you want to get. Life is a hustle."
What does your artist name Mo- 16 stand for?
"Mo is the first two letters of my name and 16 is for the day I was born."
How long have you been involved in music?
"I was always surrounded by music. I had a couple of friends that were always doing music. When I was 20, 21, I started to take it serious. People sitting down listening to yours words, your creation and watching their facial expressions makes it all worth it."
Who are your musical inspirations?
"Of course Tupac Shakur. He has been the biggest influence in my music. Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Maxwell-I'm big on R.Kelly. They inspire me to make good music and keep pushing."
What does music mean to you?
"When you're stressed, you listen to music. It can help you relieve, ease your mind. I try to stand out as much as I can. I'm still learning as an artist. Whatever you do in life, you can go there and make it happen…motivation."
What are you most grateful for?
"I'm grateful for my mother because she's my backbone. She's the reason why I changed my life. I'm grateful to be alive. A lot of people don't get to see 25. I'm grateful to Nemo, my producer; he's had a lot to do with being the artist I am today. His whole production makes it easier to make music."
What does it feel like to perform live in front of your fans?
"It motivates you to make music. People taking three minutes of their time to watch you; it's a blessing."
What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
"In the music industry, it's not what you know, it's who you know. If you're a nobody, then they will pass up on you. It's always business and nothing person. It's a good advantage if you're surrounded by a good team."
As we neared the end of our conversation I asked Mo what the immediate future holds for him, he said, "Taking over the world like Pinkie and the Brain and putting Jersey on the map."
To find out more about Mo-16 and hear his music check out:
Myspace.com/mo16bars and jerseyboysmusic.com
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