The next Regional Artist Spotlight rising star is: Moh Flow

Written by:
Laura Coughlin
1st August 2021

The Regional Artist Spotlight initiative is all about championing regional music talent…

The first time What’s On saw Moh Flow perform was back in 2014. It was in a beautiful open air, makeshift space inside Safa Park. A handful of the UAE’s top up-and-coming musicians performed to a small community of music lovers. In the line-up was a young Syrian rapper, already with a tightknit fanbase. When he took the stage, he captivated the audience with his rapping, caramel smooth vocals, and rich melodies.

Fast forward a few years and Moh Flow has transformed into a regionally adored hip-hop artist, carving his own unique sound that’s seen him perform on the biggest stages in the UAE, including the newly renamed Etihad Park when he opened for Marshmello at the Yasalam After-Race Concerts in 2019.

He’s collaborated with numerous artists in the region, too, including legendary American rapper Pusha-T, and continues to drop fresh new tracks all worth adding to your summer playlists.

What’s On: How did you first get into music?

Moh Flow: When I was young, I gravitated to music watching my older brother A’Y independently make music for the better part of my childhood. As I grew up, I started wanting to become a part of that circle. I focused on figuring out how to record, download beats online, and write songs from scratch. It started with a few covers of my favourite rappers (mostly Lupe Fiasco), then I began to write my own songs.

WO: How would you describe the music that you make?

MF: It’s hard for me to categorise, simply for the fact that I sing and I rap. I have touched on genres like hip-hop, R&B, EDM, house, Afro, and some of the sub-genres that exist under those. I like to make music from renewed emotions that I connect with.

WO: Who are the artists, or people, who inspire you?

MF: The thing about inspiration for me is that I don’t have to necessarily see somebody blaze a trail that I can relate to for them to inspire me. I see inspiration in anyone who has been able to utilise very little to build a movement or something of value.

WO: What are your latest musical accomplishments?

MF: My perspective on accomplishments, in general, has changed over time. I’ve gotten the virtual head nod from a lot of artists I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. I’ve opened up for legendary artists, and I’ve collaborated with some of my favourite brands along my journey. Aside from all of that, I’m most proud of keeping my catalogue somewhat relevant through the saturation of music online. I’m most proud of my core base of listeners. At the end of the day, we want our art to be listened to as far and wide as humanly possible.

WO: What is your creative process like? Has it changed since the pandemic?

MF: My creative process has always been an isolated one. I like to create in a very centred space and rarely go out of my comfort zone to create. I work with my production team, and I think we have solidified a process, or a few iterations of our process, that always helps us produce records that we can pitch in creatively on.

WO: Where have you performed? What was your favourite venue to perform at?

MF: I’ve been blessed with a lot of moments on monumental stages. I’ve enjoyed every show from the arenas to the low-ceiling venues. SOB’s, Sole DXB, and du Arena (now Etihad Park) would have to be in my top five.

WO: What are your latest releases? What is the story behind them?

MF: Coming off of my last project, ‘Faith,’ which was more of an R&B effort, I wanted to go into an unfiltered space. During the pandemic, I was leaning towards a particular style of instrumentation concept. I was in the mental space to vent, so I used these records to touch on recent real-life situations on top of aggressive drums and spacey melodies. Records like ‘Til Infinity’ and ‘Wave’ were the hero records for me, while ‘Level Up’ and ‘Ghost’ may be the people’s favourites.

WO: Which one of these releases is your favourite and why?

MF: My favourite would always be ‘Til Infinity.’ Everything about this record represents the last 18 months of my life. I love these records because they represent a moment in time for me. TI represented a jaded and frustrated side of me that I could only vent about on these records. Speaking my truth in music is the only reason these records mean anything to me.

WO: Are you working with any other artists right now?

MF: I’ve got some music coming with Ayo Wani, Menon, Omar Basaad, Narcy, and a couple of other artists that I love.

WO: What is an average day like for you?

MF: My day-to-day life revolves around running Hrmny, a creative agency I co-founded with Majeed (Jeed) and Ayham (A’Y) in 2017. That’s my everyday focus during working hours and beyond. I dedicate time to my craft, and everything that comes with it, when the sun comes down. I’m generally more in tune with music at a later part of my day. I also play a lot of basketball; you could find me on a court in Dubai on any given weeknight.

WO: What does being part of Regional Artist Spotlight mean to you?

MF: I’m humbled to be a part of this community of creatives, and I look forward to discovering more artists through this platform. The more outlets the kids see, the more art they will make. I just want more kids that look and speak like me to tell their stories through art.

WO: What is your top five after-party playlist?

1. Baby Keem – No Sense