Framingham bred artist with Nigerian roots is a furtive storm concocted of rhapsodized art. Known for his creativity, diversity, cunning wordplay and fervent lyrics that can enlighten the gray areas of life, Mos Generous creates substance that resonates and correlates with the mind and soul. This Dorchester native has a lot of unique traits that some of the massive artists in today’s current landscape possess; the unique voice, the ability to make melodic tunes with lyrical prowess, the creativity’, and not to mention he’s in his own lane that has already inspired many.
A genuine philosopher of art, Abdul Kareem Oseni a.k.a. “Mos Generous”, is a native of Dorchester, and is an artist who corresponds his experiences and virtues through music, acting, and other various forms of art and substance.
"This Is" LP is the second project as a follow up from his 2018 debut album "The Omnividual". The highly anticipated LP is an embodiment of all the nostalgic, and ambiguous moments fro Mos Generous's life from depression, relationships, reminiscent memories of bliss and joy, and self-love. The subject matter of the project contains deep, soulful, melodic and rhythmic tunes that will inevitably invoke the same emotions that the Jihadi of Soul will illustrate in this soulful body of work.
This is one of my favorite tracks off the LP.
Boston Culture: Where you from?
Mos Generous: I was born in Framingham but I grew up in Dorchester, Boston.
Boston Culture: When did you first explore your talent as an artist?
Mos Generous: I was around 10 years old when I first discovered that I could sing. My English teacher at the time was also a good singing coach so she trained me to sing for a good three months before the school talent show (Which was an electrifying experience). I didn’t learn how to do poetry/ rap until I was 17 years old.
Boston Culture: How did you get your name for your last EP?
Mos Generous: During the time I wanted to make a very positive album basically about all the things that made me happy but then I realize that in life sometimes you can’t really know what happiness is if you don’t know what pain is. Life itself is ambiguous and there’s a lot of ways to describe life just like how a picture is worth 1000 words life is lived 1000 ways— So I called it “This Is...”.
Favorite Smoke: Wedding Cake/ Platinum Kush
Favorite Studio: Sound lab
Favorite Food to cook: Egusi Soup and Fufu
Favorite Food for take out: AKs Pizza
Favorite Album: Mos Def & Talib Kweli: Black Star
Favorite Artist: Common
Any new hobbies: Playing the guitar riding manuscripts and novels.
Favorite part of quarantine:Being able to learn new things about myself and learn different types of skills that can help me as a human being and also as a creative.
Boston Culture: Where do you want to be by this time next year.
Mos Generous: By this time this year I would be already a graduate from RCC College and I vision myself to Create my own business in Producing records for artists, doing film work, and publishing two novels.
Boston Culture: You been working with any new up and coming producer/artists?
Mos Generous: I’ve collaborated with local artists like Tashawn Taylor, RadicalBlackGirl, Tamera King, Imad4short, and Terry Borderlines, I also have future collaborations with SeeFour, Yelenar, Reggie Hue, and MELK.
Boston Culture: Tell me about your last song/visual?
Mos Generous: What inspired it? My last song that I recorded was “Poisonous” featuring J. Rose. Last year, I was in a very toxic relationship with someone who I loved, and I decided to internalize it into a record. Another oxymoron to love is pain— vice versa.
Boston Culture: What's the longest you've been in the studio for one session?
Mos Generous: The longest I ever been in the Stu was 8 hours. The first time I did a record with J. Rose was at Sound Lab, and it was kind of a last minute thing. I showed him the beat that I made to “Poisonous, he helped add on more to the instrumental, then I hopped in to lay down the hook. Once it was his turn, he was able to effectively lay out his verse from the top of his head. By the time J. Rose was done, I was in absolute awe.
Boston Culture: What made you want to create your first song and how old were you?
Mos Generous: The first song that I did was “Simbyfly” and it was with my best friend Imad4short. I was 21 at the time when I made the record, and we recorded it at a studio that was all the way in Lowell. My friend, Imad4short, helped me tap into my rap persona. He aspired me and inspired me to be my own creative genius, and also to be eager to knowing about the hip hop culture.
Boston Culture: Tell me about your process in creating music.
Mos Generous: I am a very skilled writer, and this didn’t happen over night, I conditioned myself to write several poems/ raps per day. I am also very picky when it comes to beat selections, so when I hear something that hits me instantly, I would write my 16 within 10 minutes. When it comes to instrumentals that are difficult, I would give myself a few weeks to absorb material and subject matter, then I’d give it another shot.
Boston Culture: Talk to me about your last visual.
Mos Generous: The last visual that I made was “Afro-Dee/ Gemini Complex” and those were two songs that I did From my first debut album “The Omnividual”. The concept was mainly about personifying two of the mental disorders— depression and anxiety, as human manifestations. It was also to show awareness to the two mental disorders that some of us human beings suffer from. The videographer, Earnest, was very helpful and insightful on bringing my vision to life, and he did an amazing job with the visuals.
Boston Culture: What has been your most amazing moment you've experienced as an artist?
Mos Generous: The most amazing experience/moment that I had would be the time that I performed at the Oberon theatre in Cambridge at a showcase called “Resist(d)ance. I was met with several talented artist, entrepreneurs, dancers, and poets.
Boston Culture: What was the best advice you got early in your career?
Mos Generous: A good friend of mine, also an artist that I’ve been working with, Shaney Poo, told me “Be the most overworked person you know. Outwork yourself and exceed your own expectations.
Boston Culture: What do you dislike about the art world/music industry?
Mos Generous: There is a lot about the music industry that I absolutely dislike, but I’ll keep it simple; how they take advantage of local artists, or artists who have no experience or knowledge in owning their own composition, how they contractually screw over artists and capitalize off of their work, how they make it obligatory for artists to maintain a certain image that not only affects impressionable minds, but it also reduces the high vibration and consciousness of our youth, and our communities.
Boston Culture: Who are your biggest influences?
Mos Generous: My influences can stretch for miles, but at the top of my head, I’d say that my influences are Common, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Michael Jackson, Biggie Smalls, and Nas.
Boston Culture:What inspires you to wake up everyday and stay focused, hungry and humble on your goals.
Mos Generous: Being able to inspire people, and change their outlook or mood with my music, my energy, and my knowledge are some of the reasons that get me up out of bed every day.
Boston Culture: What do you want to let your fans know that you haven't mentioned?
Mos Generous: When you are unique, you are alone. In order for you to be different, identify your growth areas and strengths, and embrace them. Be the golden sheep, not the black sheep, or a scapegoat. Don’t ride waves, create oceans. Be the storm of change that you seek. Don’t worry too much about people’s mindsets, or goals, have control of the things that YOU are able to control. Be socially aware about your community, your world, and yourself, and always internalize both of your flaws and your talents.
Boston Culture: What brands should sponsor you?
Mos Generous: Black by Popular Demand, Black Lives Matter, Wingz N Tingz, Suya Joint, Dunkin Donuts, and Adidas.
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