In a music scene where twerking is becoming more important than the actual music, it’s not easy being a new artist.
Marcus Moody is currently going through that battle, but he’s definitely making his mark in the rap game.
Formerly known to many as “Paypa,” Marcus has a whole new vibe going with a whole new project on the way, and he’s making sure to pay homage to those who inspired him. His new single “Sick and Tired” is taking over social media tweets and statuses everywhere, and it’s not the last we will hear during his come-up in the game.
We got a chance to sit down with Marcus himself, where he told us about his name change, his response to Kendrick Lamar’s “Control” verse, as well as what he thought of Miley Cyrus’ twerking.
Check out our exclusive interview with Marcus Moody below!
GlobalGrind: What happened with this name change from Paypa to Marcus Moody?
Marcus Moody: I just felt like it was time for a change. I had been called that since I was like 13 or 14 years old, so being that I’m 28 now, I felt like it was time to make a change. It was that, and the fact that I’m not the only “Paypa” out there. I own the rights to the name but it was an issue whenever other artists named Paypa would drop music, and they would put my face on it and my fans would see it. They would tweet me and be like “that’s not you!” and I just got tired of it. I thought it was time for a clean slate and to introduce myself to the world as Marcus.
Where did Paypa come from?
I thought you might ask that [laughs]. It was actually a joke. I used to play basketball and I would head home on a bike with a book bag. So they used to joke that I looked like a paper boy. I hated it. It turned from a negative to a positive though. It became real cool after awhile.
You just shot a video for “Pride.” How did that go?
It was crazy. Shout out to the homie Fame. It was shot at FIT actually. I’m not really sure when it’s going to come out, but be on the look out!
Your single “Sick & Tired” is currently on iTunes, which is an anthem track for a lot of guys who don’t want to lose a good girl. What would you say are the qualities you find in a good woman?
Someone who is loyal. Somebody that makes you better. Just a well-rounded person. She gotta be able to cook. You want her to be able to not ever want to leave you either! The track “Sick and Tired” is an exaggeration. You ever been in an argument with your significant other or they did something that pissed you off and you just think “I’m so tired of their shit!” but then in like an hour you feel better and it wasn’t that serious. But in that moment it’s like, I’m SICK AND TIRED of her!
What are some things in today’s society that you’re “sick and tired” of?
Oh, that’s a dope question. I’m so sick and tired of everybody wearing this damn leather. I’m sick and tired of rappers sounding like women in interviews. I’m sick and tired of Bill O’Reilly and his shit. I’m sick and tired of Miley twerking.
So what do you think of Miley’s twerking at the VMAs?
What, was she twerking first of all? It looked bad! Shout out to Miley though. I was rocking with her until she just…she should just leave that alone.
You have an EP coming out soon, The Marcus Moody EP, do you have an official release date?
Not yet, but it is coming out this fall! Da Internz did the whole project, if you’re familiar with them. They did “Ass” with Big Sean and “Cake” for Rihanna. We tapped into a whole other sound.
Who are some of your biggest music influences that we would probably hear in your sound?
Jay Z, Nas, and Scarface are all in there. The original Kanye West. Being from Chicago, Bump J was like the biggest underground rapper from Chicago. He was on the way to the mainstream, but then had to go do some time. I was out there when he was poppin’ in like 2004 and it was crazy watching that, I was a huge fan.
You seem to like a lot of New York rap. What do you think of Kendrick Lamar’s comments on “Control” saying he’s the King of NY?
I think it was necessary. I think people were making a bigger fuss out of it or taking issue with the wrong points of the song. Kendrick wasn’t dissing anyone in that record. He was actually naming people he’s homies with and saying “Yo, let’s go.” As far as him saying he’s the “King of NY,” it depends on how you want to look at it. Obviously he’s not from New York, so you can’t really have an argument about that. New York is down right now as far as the marketplace for hip-hop. He gets more spins than New York rappers, and more love. I was watching an interview that Maino did where he agreed that he basically is the King of NY, along with Drake and Rick Ross. I could see how it would ruffle some feathers.
For anyone reading this interview who might not have checked you out yet, what’s one thing you would want them to know about you?
My whole movement is all about love. It’s all love. I show my fans love. I show my people love, and that’s why I get so much love. In the music, that’s what we promote. We promote hard work and being yourself. We promote putting it down wherever you’re at or wherever you come from.
