Big Moe
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| Big Moe | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kenneth Moore |
| Also known as | Barre Baby, MoYo, Motorola, Da King of Purp |
| Born | August 20, 1974 |
| Origin |  Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 14, 2007 (aged 33) |
| Genre(s) | Southern Rap, R&B, S&C |
| Occupation(s) | rapper |
| Years active | 1995 – 2007 |
| Label(s) | Wreckshop Records Screwed Up Records |
| Associated acts | Screwed Up Click |
Big Moe, stage name of Kenneth Moore (August 20, 1974 – October 14, 2007), was an American rapper from Houston, Texas.
Like many Houston-based rappers, Big Moe began his career freestyling on DJ Screw mixtapes[1] before being signed to Wreckshop Records. Wreckshop Records released Big Moe's debut album, City of Syrup in (2000); the title a nod to Houston's reputation for drinking codeine-laced syrup, which Moe pours from a Styrofoam cup on the album's cover. "City of Syrup" album featured the single, "Mann!", which Moe intended to be The South Side's answer to Black Rob's East Coast hit "Whoa!". A year and half later, Moe returned with his second album, Purple World in (2002). This release showcased a Who's Who of Houston vocalists and two versions of Moe's breakthrough single, "Purple Stuff." The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-themed video for "Purple Stuff" was played on MTV and the album ranked as high as No. 3 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[1] Big Moe's third and last album, Moe Life, was issued in 2003, including the commercially successful single "Just a Dog."[1] A posthumous album entitled Unfinished Business was released on March 18, 2008 via Wreckshop Records and Koch Records.
He was also featured in songs with Mike Jones, Z-Ro, Lil' O, Walter Cooper, Southside Playaz and Big Pokey.[citation needed]
Big Moe was in negotiations to make appearances in the up and coming cartoon series Pablo and Victor where he would play himself.[citation needed]
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[edit] Hometown importance
Big Moe's prominent wearing of the color purple in large hip hop themed outfits in many of his rap videos is a fairly recognizable style in and around the city of Houston, where Moore spent his entire life. He attended the University of Houston for four years, receiving a degree in Political Science. However, after graduating, he felt he was better suited to following a career as a singer. After beginning his career in rap he hinted at the idea that he would eventually get into city politics, or the police academy.[citation needed]
Before his death Moore was a prominent supporter of Barack Obama.[citation needed] There is even word that Big Moe was working on a tribute song for the campaign before his untimely death. Obama has since acknowledged Moore's contributions to the Houston area, both politically and socio-economically.[citation needed]
[edit] Death
Moore died on October 14, 2007 after suffering a heart attack one week earlier that left him in a coma.[2] There was speculation that recreational codeine use may have contributed to his death.[1]
[edit] Trivia
"Moyo", one of his nicknames, means "Soul" in the Swahili language.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Houston rappers remember Big Moe, by Eyder Peralta, Houston Chronicle, Oct. 16, 2007
- ^ DJs - Rapper Big Moe Dies, contactmusic.com, 15/10/2007
