Mo Greene

IT'S MO GREENE BABY:

Somebody's gotta step up and take control. Somebody's gotta set the direction and bring hip-hop into the 21st century. That Somebody is Mo Greene. With rap and hip-hop in a 21st century funk of dumbed down lyrics, uninspiring chants and watered down story-telling, Mo Greene steps up to jolt hip-hop back to a level of respect not seen since the early '90s. But just who is Mo Greene and why should you get to know him? The answer is multi-layered, so read on.

You've heard all kinds of statements made by rap and hip-hop "wanna-bees,"? "wanna-wishers"? and "wanna-but-can't dos." Problem is, their perspectives, life experiences, and misguided urges to "keep it real"? now sound dated and impersonal. Mo Greene tosses out that "old school"? way of thinking and vividly breathes life back into hip-hop with a unique and untapped approach.

A 2008 Communications graduate of Northwestern University, Mo Greene describes his music as "College music" hip-hop style. "Basically, it's college hip-hop."? Greene elaborates: "In my music, I capture the epitome of what college is, everything you look for in whatever college you attend. If you asked a student what he or she wanted out of college, they want to have fun, they want to party, they want girls. Of course, they want to learn about new things and new experiences. My music is fun. It's for a party - but with some thought. I'm a combo of 2Pac poems with a bit of B.I.G's wit!"?

Based out of Chicago, with roots that began in New York City, Mo Greene shares his deep knowledge about the way life is with a perspective that begins but doesn't end at the street level. "I listened incessantly to Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Michael Jackson and, of course, Jay-Z. But what adds to my lyrical content is my family, my friends, events that take place in my life, situations, scenarios, TV shows like 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' & 'Martin.' As well as shows like 'The Wire' that give you a little more gritty realism, shows that give you ideas to play on ideas. I ain't even afraid to say I'm influenced by commercials too. Life, in all its craziness and realness, inspires me on a daily basis." Greene also credits writers such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, juvenile fiction writer R.L. Stine, and even Dr. Seuss as shapers of his unique wordage and story-telling.

A hook-up with Los Angeles-based producer Ru Samath (whose Birdcall Productions has composed music for Britney Spears, Beyonce, Flo-Rida, Kelly Rowland, 'Saw IV' soundtrack) through a close relative allowed Mo Greene to unleash a torrent of creative ideas. In 2007, Mo Greene took his act to Northwestern University's immensely popular "Dillo Day"? music festival as the first hip-hop artist to perform in the precious student slot. Since then, Mo Greene has played in top Chicago area underground clubs, at Soldier Field, as well as universities and colleges across the country. The resulting music hyped an underground reputation that is just beginning to see the light of day and the ears of millions.
- Gary Jackson

Los Angeles: An unprecedented coalition of five hip-hop artists from the far reaches of the world have recorded “Make It To The Sun,” a song they hope will inspire disenfranchised voters and inner city youth in America to vote in the upcoming 2008 presidential election. Artists from England, Sri Lanka, Canada, Mexico and the United States have pooled their talents to spread Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s message of “Change We Can Believe In.” With that directive, England’s Dancehall superstar Maxwell D., Toronto songwriter Beverley Marquis, Mexican-born Oscar “Ozzy” Doniz and U.S.-born rapper Mo Greene collaborated with Sri Lankan-born music producer Ru Samath to record “Make It To The Sun,” a reggae-meets world-meets-hip-hop song that emphasizes the importance of participating in a free election.
“Make It To The Sun” is a collaborative group effort, with all music composed by Samath, engineering and guitar by Doniz, and lyrics written and performed by Marquis, Greene and Maxwell D. “Make It To The Sun” weaves excerpts from Barack Obama’s stirring 2008 Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech. As Obama points out, “What the naysayers don’t understand is that this election has never been about me – it’s about you.” With that empowering phrase as a reference point, “Make It To The Sun” expresses these world citizens’ plea of change for the better in a time scarred by war and economic calamity.
“Make It To The Sun” is available as a MySpace download (myspace.com/thebirdcall), with all proceeds to be donated to the Barack Obama election campaign. An accompanying video is being created, and will be posted on YouTube in the coming weeks.
The Minds Behind “Make It To The Sun”:
Ruwanga “Ru” Samath: This Sri Lanka native has lived in the United States for the past ten years, and will be sworn in as a U.S. citizen in 2009. This award-winning producer formed his music production company, The Bird Call Productions, in early 2000, and has since gone on to create music and remixes for Beyonce, Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland rapper Flo-Rida and more. Samath won the 2007 Los Angeles Music Award’s “Best Rock Music in Film” for “Saw IV”. He composed music for rapper Ludacris and rocker Tommy Lee’s TLC/Planet Green TV show “Battleground Earth: Ludacris vs. Tommy Lee,” and recently completed music for the new Sony Video game “The Agency” (2009). Samath comments on the importance of “Make It To The Sun”: “In my ten years in America, I’ve seen this great country go from a land of opportunity to a place where its youth has no say. I plan to become a citizen, but before I do, I feel that I can have a direct impact in getting youth to vote through music.”

Maxwell D.: England’s premiere Dancehall artist, Maxwell D. also boasts two nationalities, one as a Jamaican and as a British citizen. His credits include Top 15 U.K. charter “Champagne Dance” and “You’re Not Serious,” which reached # 31. Maxwell D. says of his participation: “I was more impressed with Obama—not because of the color of his skin, but for what he has to say. I feel that what happens in America affects what happens not only in England, but the world as a whole.”

Beverley Marquis: This Canadian native was born in Dubai before her parents moved to Canada. One of The Bird Call Productions’ main songwriters, Marquis has composed songs with pop artist Kesha, and with top songwriter Robert Allen (Rhianna’s “Disturbia” and Chris Brown’s “Forever“). Marquis also wrote and performed one of the main theme songs for the new Sony Video game “The Agency.” “Living in Canada, I’ve observed American politics with an objective eye,” Marquis says. “Republicans have been in office for eight years, and it’s not working. The young artists I’ve talked with in America feel that the time is right for change, and I hope that this song will point them in a positive direction.”

Mo Greene: The only U.S.-born participant on “Make It To The Sun,” Greene also comes from a mixed-race marriage. A recent graduate of Northwestern University, Greene made an impact at the university by being the first hip-hop/rap artist to secure the prestigious second slot at the school’s highly popular “Dillo Day” concert for two consecutive years. His debut album will be in stores through The Bird Call Productions in 2009. Greene says of “Make It To The Sun”: “Having gone to Northwestern and seeing Obama in action first-hand in Chicago, I had to roll up my sleeves and get involved. The original version of the song was not made with the intention of being a campaign song, but the issues involved were a part of what Obama’s message contained, so we remixed it with his speech into its present form.”

Oscar “Ozzy” Doniz: Mexico City-born Doniz has been in the U.S. since 2001, when he attended the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA to pursue engineering. He has worked with Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, former Menudo singer Robi Rosa, and as chief engineer for Latin music producer Gustavo Farias. Doniz says of his participation: “I got involved in the hope that the song’s message will reach young people in deciding who will run this great country. Immigrants I’ve talked to came to America because things are far worse in their native countries and just better here in America.” Doniz is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
- Yahoo! Business News

The "Go U! NU!" cheer chanted during countless games has been remixed - into a rap video.

The rapper is a Northwestern alum, Morgan "Mo Greene" Jackson (Communication '08). During his time at NU, Jackson earned a coveted spot performing at Dillo Day.

He made the "Go U!" video Sept. 1 after he was approached by Palestra.net, a college network that produced football highlights videos by artists from each school. Featuring a steady "Go U!" cadence, the music video showcases the team and its fans.

"My favorite aspect is definitely the lyrics of the song, being able to cleverly talk about my people that are on the team while putting on a hot video," Jackson said. "I chose (the chant) because everyone would already know it so they could just go with it."

The three-and-a-half-minute video has been viewed about 2,000 times on YouTube.

"We produced a lot of those videos this fall and this (has) been the most popular," said John Tsarouchas, Medill '06, a senior producer for Palestra.net who worked with Jackson on the video. "It all starts with the song, which is totally the result of (Jackson's) creative genius."

One fan, shown toting a wrestling belt, was surprised to see himself in the video. The fan, René Jovel, said he enjoyed the shout-out to the fans.

"My friend just told me about it; I didn't know I was actually in the video," the Weinberg senior said. "I think the twist on the 'Go U! NU!' chant was pretty cool."

Jackson said he wanted to make the video because it was a way to be supportive of the team even though he cannot always attend games.

"I know a bunch of guys on the team and felt this was a great way to show support for the school," he said. "It's not too often you get to hang out on the field."

Jackson said he wanted to make something for the school that was fun but not too corny. He decided to do his "own thing" for the video and succeeded in creating what's been dubbed a "new anthem."

Jackson plans to perform at NU on Friday, Oct. 17 on the Go Greene College Tour. Admission is $5.

Then, at the Homecoming game against Purdue on Oct. 18, he'll perform "Go U!" and follow it with a performance at The Keg of Evanston that night.

If NU can win again and advance to 6-0, the video might get more attention, said Jonathan Hodges, a 2005 McCormick alum and avid Wildcat football fan.

"It was very well done, and hopefully it will excite people for Northwestern football," he said "And with them doing so well, maybe at some point it can get some national attention - and be the theme song for the season if things go well."
- The Daily Northwestern