Mvüko Koza popularly known as Moko Koza is an award winning rapper and songwriter from Kohima, Nagaland. Koza, who first got into rap in 2005 when he got Eminem’s 8 Mile CD while visiting a CD Store with his father, is a much crazed artist in Nagaland and beyond because of his ways of making use of music to highlight issues in the society, and to promote his culture by using local dialects.

 

Koza, who has given many hits in the likes of ‘Puisa’, ‘Heal’, and many more first began his journey with his first single ‘Just my Imagination’ in 2013.

 

After receiving his master’s degree in Anthropology from Kohima Science College, Koza now works full time under the record label Infinity Inc. based in Dimapur, Nagaland.

 

In 2018, Koza’s Heal was the winner of Best Hip- Hop/Rap song during the Nagaland Music Awards 2018 while in 2019, Koza’s Happy Today was awarded the best Rap/Hip Hop song during the 11th Music Awards of Nagaland (MAN) ceremony held at RCEMPA, Jotsoma in 2019.

 

 

Mokokchung Times takes you in an exclusive conversation with Moko Koza.

 

MTimes: You’ve been a part of the rap music scene in Nagaland for more than a decade now, but what got you into music in the first place? How did you come to realize that music was the way forward for you?

Moko: Music has always been a part of my life. I initially became a music fan listening to artists like Simple Plan, Good Charlotte and Green Day. Gradually got hooked to Hip-Hop music because the wave was everywhere. Listening to rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent and Lil Wayne eventually made me want to write my own songs. That’s when I started taking music seriously. It was in the high-school days.

 

MTimes: Your sound has evolved a lot over the years and it has been going from great to greater. So, how do you see your sound evolving in the next couple of years?

Moko: I’m always experimenting with different styles while at the same time staying updated to the latest trends in music. It’s always a learning process for me and the sound will always keep developing too.

 

 

MTimes: Social media might have helped in taking the hip-hop scene of North East India a little further but what would you wish had existed or people could do to make sure the music produced here reaches globally more intensely?

Moko: I feel like the major music labels from the mainstream should always keep a lookout on our region as the North East is a place filled with many talented musicians that have the capability to compete on an international level.

 

 

MTimes: Many of your songs have been a commentary on our socio-political issues; how would you describe your style of music and in what way do you aim to make a difference?

Moko: My style has always been a conscious/ therapeutic/satirical rap where I like to experiment on certain emotions, issues and propagandas of the people and society. The art of rap music is very deep and it is a genre where words can be spoken out raw and unfiltered.

 

 

MTimes: Your lyrics, your bar and the rhyming have always been impressive. It’s crazy thinking about the number of efforts you had to put into getting your music out. How do you put words on paper? What’s your creative process like? 

Moko: I’m always inspired by everything that is around me. I’m also a huge fan of movies, TV series and games. All of my ideas come from them. I also write my songs only during midnight till dawn because that is when my mind is fresh and at peace.

 

 

MTimes: When it comes to performing, what’s your style? And what has been the most interesting beef you had with an artist?

Moko: During performance I always make sure I connect with the crowds. That is where I build my connection with them and make them feel what I’m trying to express on the stage. Well, to answer your second part of the question. I’ve never really had any real particular beef with anybody but these on and off replying to each other has been a healthy sport for me. for me.

 

 

MTimes: You’ve done a lot of solo projects and also with so many incredible artists; what’s your favorite project so far, and why? 

Moko: Working on the Northeast Cypher 2020 was one of my favorite projects. Through this cypher, we were able to collaborate with the whole states of the Northeast and it was such a big achievement for us all to have all the northeastern on one track. It was a very proud moment.

 

 

MTimes: If not music, what would it have been? Talk to us a little more about ‘Moko Koza- the person’ and not ‘Moko Koza- the artist’.

Moko: I’ve always liked to cook and also interested in teaching. I don’t mind being a chef or a lecturer.

 

 

MTimes: If you had to switch bodies with another artist, who would it be and why? 

Moko: Dr. Dre. I want to know how it feels like to be a billionaire.

 

 

MTimes: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received till today and what would your advice be to a new aspiring rapper? 

Moko: One of the best pieces of advice I received was from one of my lecturers when I was in college. She said to me, “Don’t ever let that power get to your head!”  That piece of advice was very powerful to me.

 

My advice for the upcoming rappers would be:

* Be consistent

* Get your attitude right

* Work hard, dedicate yourself and be true to yourself.

 

 

MTimes: Do you have a tour or more new music anytime soon?

Moko: As I’m finishing up my album, my 2nd singles from the album will be released soon. Also, an All India Album tour is happening soon this summer. Please do support the album when it’s out.

Thanks for the wonderful interview. Peace!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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