BNG MAG® September 2014 (Vol.-1/Issue-2) Side-B | Page 4

VH1 recently premiered a documentary on how the
Atlanta rap scene came about. “ATL: The Untold Story
of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game” featured
artists such as MC Shy D, Raheem The Dream, Jermaine
Dupri, Lil Jon, Ludacris, DJ Toomp, and T.I
Though we here at BNG MAG just learned about this
pioneer, everyone should know who he is,
especially if they’re apart of the hip hop scene in
Atlanta.
Everyone knows that the late 70’s and early 80’s was the
height of hip hop! New York had DJ Kool Herc hosting the
flyest events while Krs One was at the Rock Steady park denying whack freestylers of winning a battle
against him. Cali had Rappers Rapp Disco rec. signing Captain Rapp. Meanwhile, the World Class Wreckin’
Cru was performing at the local club “Eve’s After Dark”. Seeing this divide in hip hop early on, there was
one young man that unintentionally started a movement and got his city on the rap map. This man is the
legendary MOJO!
Mojo was the first Atlanta rap artist in 1982 to have his music reach the radio air ways and be recognized
by the hip hop empires (New York and California). “[Atlanta] was having a problem...crime was going on
in the area, and Mojo was gonna be the new batman” said Raheem the dream on the VH1 music
documentary. During the late 70’s and early 80’s there had been a series of murders that left Atlanta in
a state of shock and grief, but soon after the victims murderer had been put away, Mojo came forward.
“Mojo gave you an excuse and reason, to finally be free” said Killer Mike. Mojo was unlike any other artist
in the Atlanta area, “People looked at me like I was from another planet because I was in the south
doing hip hop and it just wasn’t heard of in 1982/83.” At the time, Atlantans were only known for their
righteous movements for Civil Rights and booming business corporations.
Though MOJO was known for his single “Let Mo-Jo Handle It”, we must keep in mind that the majority of
the music artists we grew up listening to were only popular because of one song. We want you all to remember that everyone has a different perspective on success. One person’s goal could be to make only
one good song, and another person’s could be to make a whole dope album. As long as we’re all gunning
for success, everything is good.
4. | LEARN FROM OTHERS, BUT KNOW YOUR OWN ORDER | - From the “Gospel of Hip Hop,” Sept. 7, p. 422