Rapper-songwriter-producer Larry Moody is creating buzz for himself and even getting recognition from President Obama for his song, “Respect Before You Elect.” Moody talked to rolling out about his positive music and upcoming projects. –iesha daniels
How did ‘Respect Before You Elect’ come about?
My cousin came to me and said, ‘Larry, you know we’re going to have a chance to have our first black president, I think we should do a song to get out here and help the world’ and he said, ‘What do you think about ‘Respect Before You Elect?’ and I said, ‘It sounds good.’ I wrote the whole song. Once Obama become the president, I said, ‘Wow, now it’s time to do another song.’ So that’s how I came up with ‘Respect and Protect: Obama’s the President.’
How did it feel to be recognized by President Obama?
That was truly a blessing. That was one of the greatest things of my life, when his staff got a chance to view my song and listen to it before the president got it.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in the music industry?
When you know you have talent and you know that you’re creative, you just have to keep going. You can’t worry about whether you’re going to blow up or you’re going to make millions of dollars. It’s a gift that you have and you just have to keep going.
What’s next for you?
Right now I have a record label that’s looking at my stuff. I’m in the process of doing a jingle for the Cardinals. I’m working on a fundraiser in St. Louis; I’m going to put that together to help the homeless and underprivileged people. I can truly say, no matter how big I get or how famous, I still want to help other people.
