INTERVIEW with WORDS BY MOE BY Africa-Related 

Words By MOE

est. 1999

This week, we share the work of Words By MOE, a self-styled inspirational writer and Spoken Word artist whose writings are reminiscent of scribes of old. His mastery of language, expert use of words, not to mention captivating delivery; have resulted in his 23-track debut album, titled BiG TIME!

Words play a central theme on the album, touching on various subject matters from life to faith and love. The sound is crisp and fresh, backed by multiple genres of music - from Hip Hop, Reggae to traditional African flute and drums. BiG Time delivers an array of richly blended sounds that drive home the lyrically-endowed artist's thought-provoking messages.

The album was jointly produced in New York and Jos, Nigeria by Africa-Related and Deep Waters Studios. It includes some collaborative work like ‘Bringing Back The Mic', a tribute to the late Gospel Hip Hop icon B-Elect featuring Minista Busta.

Q: You have two back-to-back projects coming up in August and September 2024. Could you speak to them individually on the inspiration and purpose behind Big Time Album and book, Spiritually Intact vol 1? 

A: Honestly, this whole thing with the music is my wife’s idea.. so projects wise she’s the visionary. As for inspiration, all I do is write, and the motivation behind my expression stems from my love for the Word of Truth. The purpose is to encourage, build up and inspire others on this journey of Life.

Q: Which of the tracks in Big Time stands out to you the most and why? 

A: The title track, Big Time.. It’s a piece that makes plain what’s required on our part to recognize what is past, so that we can realize our future; in order to be able to truly put things in perspective as far as priorities go, in our lives.

Q: The album contains 23 tracks backed by various music genres. Could you elaborate on your musical influences? 

A: While I do appreciate a variety of musical sounds, I grew up influenced mainly by the ‘boom bap’, there’s something about that baseline that just got me as a kid, listening to a lot of hip hop, plus all the color, the styles and creativity, it was amazing at the time, not to mention ‘fresh’.

Q: SI volume one shows the beginnings of your writing? How would you say it has since evolved?

A: Honestly, I'm not so sure how much evolution there’s been, other than a sense of refinement perhaps and maybe more directness when it comes to elaborating on a particular subject. Both of which I attribute to maturity, as a student of the WORD.

Q: What is the importance of words, as a means of expression in today's world?

A: Still very important, as far as communicating goes; even though the way we relate these days is slightly different from last century. Words are still powerful, and the right word at the right time is still very valuable.

Q: You have been writing since 1999, and only just sharing your materials with the world. What would you attribute to this gap? 

A: Time and chance, situation and circumstance. Up till now, I suppose I was okay sharing with a few people, until my wife decided it was time to share with the rest of the world.

Q: Your faith plays a key role in your overall outlook. How have you managed to sustain that since 1995, and what would you say to anyone who has lost faith.

A: Honestly, it’s the grace of The Almighty, abiding in the WORD, and learning a whole lot about Love. I might not be in a position to console a person who’s turned away, but I do believe that He doesn’t turn us away from coming to Him. So no matter what, never give up.

Q: What are thoughts to share about your connection to these two countries - Nigeria and the United States? 

A: Just grateful for the opportunity to experience what life is like in different cultural contexts. Very interesting indeed, despite challenges on both sides.

Q: What future plans for your writing? 

A: Same as always, just keep writing.

Q: What influences have shaped your writings over the years. 

A: The Scriptures primarily, but also C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, J. B. Phillips… to name a few.

Q: You did some collaborative work on this album, and your love for Hip Hop is evident with the track Bringing Back The Mic (BBTM), which is a tribute to the iconic artist B-Elect. Could you speak on this?

A: Actually BBTM was written as a tribute to B on Jan 25, 2011. So when I was called upon to contribute to His memorial earlier this year, the piece instantly came to mind; thus the input.

Q: Your work was featured in the biographical documentary DELA:The Making of El Anatsui. What did you take out of working on that project?

A: Knowledge is what I took out, and gained a lot of it. I was fortunate to have a behind the scenes perspective and learn a thing or two about film making, which is no light task, plus the amount of patience, foresight and dedication required. So grateful for the exposure and experience.

Q: Do you have any closing thoughts? 

A: None other than expressing my gratitude to GOD for making all this possible.

Thank you for your time. 

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