Moka Only

Canadian hip-hop artist Moka Only is releasing a new record tomorrow in collaboration with up-and-comer Evil Ebenezer.

The duo is performing under the moniker of ZZBRA, and the album is titled The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Why? Well, apparently it is a motion picture soundtrack to a pan-African adventure directed by Stuey Kubrick titled "ZZBRA" that was never finished due to budget cuts (Kubrick also happens to be co-producer on the record). All that's left of the production is the soundtrack.

Moka Only, who has been incredibly prolific throughout his career with over 40 albums on his discography, is best known from the popularity of the group Swollen Members, which he frequently collaborated with as a vocalist (he was officially a member in the '90s and from 2002-2005). During our interview, he was incredibly well spoken and we discussed everything from the basics of the record to the rap and hip-hop industry as a whole. He had the confidence of one who had been doing this a very long time, which of course he has.

The other half of the duo, Evil Ebenezer, was described by Exclaim! as "the best new voice in Canadian rap" and is making a name for himself on his dark and eccentric rhymes. There can be parallels drawn between Ebenezer and a younger Eminem, and not for the obvious one like the colour of their skin. Ebenezer states that he is representing the current 'lost' generation that doesn't want to grow up and get a job and lets those neuroses come through.

The record, like the story behind it, is playful and silly, with near club-bopper beats and tight back and forths between Ebenezer and Moka. Despite another obvious comparision to a major rap collaboration record released last year, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was actually recorded about six years ago; jumping through tape delayed the production until its debut tomorrow.

"[The concept] is meant to baffle people, really. It's just like art. It's up to their own interpretation," Moka said in regards to the background of the record. "Lyrically, we did not take it too seriously. We just wanted to have fun."

The contrast of light and dark between Evil Ebenezer and Moka Only, literally and figuratively, is what is behind the reference to the zebra, "of black on white," he said. Ebenezer tends to be darker and grittier, he said, while "I'm a little more optomistic, a little more experimental. We've been friends for a long time. I appreciated what he brought to the table." 

"I don't think that experimental aspect is ever going to go away," he said. "With the exception of some of the stuff with Swollen Members, I try to push that. [But] I'm really proud of what we did."

I asked him about the quasi-pop beats behind the lyrics. Unlike many of his other releases, Moka handed over the production to The Draft Dodgers, aka Stuey Kubrick and U-Tern. "It was more of a departure for me too. I'm a beats guy, first and foremost," he said.

However, Moka admitted he doesn't listen to a lot of rap music and that most of the music he listens to is an eclectic mix from the 1960s. He also (quite diplomatically, I might add) admitted he isn't too much into the Vancouver rap scene at the moment, stating "I know some key individuals and I support anyone who's using their heart as their guide."

"I'm a bit of a narcissist. I put all my time into making my own stuff... I don't want to come off as unsupportive."

ZZBRA's The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available tomorrow on iTunes and other usual formats. You can pre-order a copy here.

ZZBRA by CamobearRecords