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Talent On Tap – MO Littles Drops the Needle on His New Single, Hands Down

Music can bring people together faster than a speeding train, quicker than a hurricane. When I’m at the dentist, he gives me Novocaine to take away my pain from the strain of this mundane Corona rain. Okay, so maybe rhyming isn’t for me but it’s free when you see me having tea… okay, no more torture, I will leave it for the pros like MO Littles. He has mastered rhyming with a purpose and knows how to deliver. His lyrics and rhymes are his instrument and he has earned his place on the stage. 

 

The award-winning Hip Hop artist has released his latest single ‘Hands Down’, featuring Merkules and Tek Luciano on March 20 and it is catching fire! His fans expect nothing less from this gifted wordsmith. He loves Hip Hop to the core, it’s like his iron ore, I wish I had some more… sorry, I know I make you snore. MO Littles will wake you up however, and he will give it to you straight. His music has been described as authentic, edgy, gritty and infectious. His respect for the Hip Hop genre is legendary and MO has collaborated and toured with some of the best artists in the business including Dru, Rich Kidd and many more. He’s also written the theme song for the TV reality show Fashion Hero and the team anthem for the Canadian National Basketball team, Sudbury 5. 

 

MO Littles and I talked about his latest hit single Hands Down among other things Hip Hop. 

 

“Hands Down is your latest single, was the music influenced by the Far East?”

“I toured with Merkules in 2015 and around that time we created a song called ‘Wild Style’ which was a good song but it had a Big L sample in the hook, which was very distinguishable, so it was a matter of trying to clear a sample or possibly putting it up and risking, getting it taken down. It ended up sitting on the shelf for quite sometime. I eventually got C Lance to remix the song and then I put my friend Tek Luciano on the hook. It then became Hands Down and now it’s finally seeing the light of day. As far as the music goes, that was all C Lance, I never had any input into that.”

 

“What inspired the lyrics to Hands Down?”

“It was originally written with a different chorus and different beat and then had to be adapted into the new beat and new chorus, so it’s interesting how it happened. There wasn’t really any specific theme or message in the song except for ‘staking our claim’ in Hip Hop; ‘hands down, we’re comin for the crown’, as it says in the chorus.”  

 

“Would you consider your lyrics political or more about social issues?”

“I’d say more about social issues. I’m not necessarily too politically motivated but it definitely comes into it at certain times.”

 

“Can you tell me about the music award you won last year?”

“Yeah, it was for my video, Have Faith In Me. It was a very special song to me so it was great to get recognition for that.”  

 

“Was Hip Hop the first music you fell in love with?”

“I’ve always loved music but when I first heard Hip Hop it really struck me, I still remember the moment when it happened. I was 9 years old in my neighbours’ basement when I heard Maestro Fresh Wes, ‘Drop The Needle’. I was on a mission after that to find out as much as I could about it and listen to more. It hit me and I had to discover more about it.” 

 

“Do you play any instruments?”

“I play a little guitar; I dabble really. I’m a writer, so I focus on writing and recording.”

 

“Did you have much support from friends and family when you first started your career?”

“Both my parents are writers and teachers and I’ve never had any resistance in exploring my creativity from any family members. When you’re young and you first start there’s always going to be blowback from certain people telling you, ‘you don’t have the right to be doing that’ but from friends and family I’ve always had support 100 percent.”   

“Do you have other types of music you enjoy listening to?”

“I listen to all types of stuff. I’m a fan of the ‘90’s Hip Hop and a lot of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s Rock. I love Motown; I listen to a lot of different stuff.”  

 

“Who do you look up to?”

“I listen to a lot of Garry Vee. He runs a social media marketing company but he’s become a motivational speaker for a lot of young entrepreneurs. He’s got a lot of great things to say. As far as looking up to; Mark Wahlberg has always been a big idol of mine.”

 

“Would you rather travel to the bottom of the ocean or a trip around the moon?”

“I’m inclined to say, the bottom of the ocean because I love the ocean and water.  My name actually means one who dwells by the sea but… let’s face it, the moon is a lot more unknown. Let’s go with ocean (laughter). Stick to my roots.”

 

“You’re stranded on an island and you only have 2 phone numbers left showing up on your phone. Which 2 phone numbers would you hope to find on it?”

“My mom and my dad.”

 

Incidentally, they are separate numbers. I couldn’t help but be moved by this young man’s endearing and unwavering answer.  Despite M.O.’s success, his love for his parents remains front and center. 

 

“How has your Hip Hop career changed your life?”

“It’s brought me around the world; I’ve been able to travel to 15 – 20 countries with my music, so it’s been amazing.”

 

“Is there anyone that you’d like to collaborate with that you haven’t collaborated with yet?”

“Up until his passing, I’d say Mack Miller. I’ve always been a big fan of his. Also J Cole.”

 

“What do you like to do for hobbies?”

“I do a lot of photography; it’s something I’ve always been into and I’ve really been focusing on a lot over the past year. I have a Sony A7 III that’s 4 K. I just got it a few months ago so I’m having a lot of fun playing with it.”

 

“If you weren’t making music, what else do you think you’d be doing?”

“Probably photography because it’s always something I’ve always been into. I really enjoy nature photography. I honestly couldn’t imagine what else I’d be doing without music though.”

 

“Would you ever consider moving outside of Canada for your music career?”

“If I’m going to be in music in Canada then Toronto’s the place to be but I’ve considered moving to LA for quite some time.”

 

“When you’re in the recording studio, how much control do you have over your music and lyrics? Would you have a producer calling the shots?” 

“I tend to work alone in my home studio. I work with a lot of different producers in terms of getting the music and the beats from them. For the most part, unless I’m collaborating with someone, it’s done at home alone.”

 

“What’s the best thing about being a successful music artist?”

“Getting to do what I love. I think the goal in life is to be able to do what you want to do.”     

 

MO Littles has worked hard to get where he is but he remains hungry and keeps pushing forward and onward. Perhaps his name means ‘one who dwells by the sea’ because he is destined to have his music reach everyone, much like the seas have the power to do. Give Hands Down a listen and become hooked like I did!        

 

You can follow M.O. Littles:

 

https://www.instagram.com/molittles/

https://www.facebook.com/molittles/

https://twitter.com/mdotodot

https://momusiclive.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/60zbBhGYFteijlQOem6jyI

https://www.youtube.com/molittles

 

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