An Exclusive Interview With Talented Artist Mo

Newcomer Mo (Mohammed Badawi) has teamed up with Serbian star DJ and Producer Igor Garnier for the hot single “Used 2BU”.  Mo has been singing for nearly 7 years, with performances at Arena Stage in Washington, DC in 74 shows of “Oliver Twist,” and local Washington, DC venues.  Although “Used 2BU” is Mo’s first copyrighted song, under Igor Garnier’s watchful production, he has the sound and feel of a seasoned veteran.

The song USED 2BU features a subtle Middle Eastern influence with beautifully layered musical elements. The song captures Mo’s tender voice, and the video brings the song alive visually.

USED2BUTile_September2019(1)

Used 2BU can be found on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJs5ku05wJ8

Q:  When you first decided to make a new song, was it more exciting or stressful?

Ans: Stress is always my first reaction to doing something so big, however when I began the actual process of making the song it brought me a sense of relief. Time goes by fast when I’m creating something that I enjoy.

Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?

Ans: If I do not believe in myself, then there is no chance that anyone will believe in me; this is one motto I try to live by during my daily life.

Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?

Ans: Powerful, complex, soothing, warm, emotional

Q: You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?

ANS: When I begin writing a song, I always start a basic beat with my hands and sing to the beat. This is at complete random as I sing words with a random melody and see if it sticks while I record. If I believe it sounds nice, I try to make a song based on the melody I created. My favorite part of the process is that I never know the song that will come out at the end, as I make a song with nothing in mind at first, so it is a surprise to me as well as whoever will listen to the song. .

Q: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?

Ans: My dream would be to perform with Adelle one day, since she has been one of my favorite singers since I was very young. She is also very talented and it would be an honor to sing with her one day.

Q: Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to sing as a career or just advice about careers in general?

Ans : I would tell them that the music field is not an easy one at all. While no career is easy to get into per say, the music industry is generally a luck based field. While someone can have all the talent in the world, they will not get anywhere without a good manager or someone who already has a following/contacts. I would not want to discourage them, yet being straight forward would give him/her more information to contemplate if he/she wants to make a career of singing.

Q: If you had a soundtrack to your life what song/songs would have to be on it?

Ans : I would only have three songs on the soundtrack to describe my life/emotions. These songs would be “Focus” by Bazzi when I am tired, “Anywhere” by Rita Ora when I am happy, and “Guren no Yumiya” when I have nothing to do.

Q:  Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?

Ans: I mostly admire Bruno Mars and Mr. Probz. These two singers have completely different genres yet they are very similar to me. Both have stellar control over their voices, as well as a natural rasp that I wish I could have. Yet I mainly admire them because of their music, since whenever I listen to their music I always feel a sense of relief because their voices are so powerful and calming at the same time. Whenever they hit a higher note it never feels like a struggle, more like they are pouring their emotions into song, which makes it all the better to listen to.

Q:  Who are your favorite musicians? Groups?

Ans: I listen to a multitude of different music, from American to Japanese. In America, I enjoy listening to Alan Walker’s music, as well as singers like Sean Kingston and Khalid. When I listen to Japanese music, I listen to Linked Horizon and Lisa.

Q:  What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?

Ans: I would tell them to ease their nerves and think about their performance going perfectly. That might sound a bit clichéd, but before I perform I always picture myself doing great with the audience cheering and applauding. I feel like if everyone thinks positively before a performance, they will feel much less nervous.