Space and Time: Moruf

When we created the Sovereign Space, we intended it to be just that. A space for independent individuals. Whether it be through music, art, film, philosophy, public service, etc. The idea was to promote individuals. One of the first individuals I chose to highlight was a young dude out of New Jersey named Moruf. Buried beneath all the bullshit that is produced and consumed on the internet on a daily basis, Moruf is that proverbial needle. The most appealing aspect of Moruf's music is that his voice is reflective of his life. I never  thought that just a few weeks after creating the Sovereign Space I would be standing on a corner in DC, chatting about school and the power of the internet with Moruf. Follow our conversation.

Shep: How did you get started?
Moruf: I've been a fan of music since I was younger. I love music. I dropped my first project in October 2010 - Garden State of Mind The Prelude, which included Crooklyn and a couple other joints and it really grew. Then I took a year off. A lot of shit occured. My pops passed away...school...I just had to collect myself. In the midst of all that, I gave my energy to focus on music and that's when I created Garden State of Mind - Ready To Live. It was awesome. Just the entire process. I'm a fan of music but it's moreso I'm a fan of life. To me this was a big ass science project that I put together, played for my homies and people digged it. I got the opportunity to go out to Cali, I'm doing SXSW. All these were ideas. I'm just a nigga from Irvington.

Shep: How is your new project going to be different from Garden State of Mind?
Moruf: I'm not in the same mindstate. I'm 22-23 now. I've been through a lot more. I'm in a relationship, I'm about to finish school...it's basically the soundtrack to my life at that time. I'm just really excited to put it out. People have been hitting me and are excited to hear it.

Shep: Can you tell me about the sound for this new album?
Moruf: The sound is gonna be a little more soulful and a little more experimental. I don't know what the lyrics will be but it's gonna be different, it's gonna be me. It's 40% done right now.

Shep: What was it like performing at Live at the Loft?
Moruf: Dreams come to fruition. That's all I can say. I can't really say no more.  I mean, I'm a fan of Tone. And remind you, I don't have a manager. I'm just a nigga that's rappin'. I'm in school and I work. Like I really have a life. I had to go to work the next morning at 9 am, then I had class. Shit is real. Man, Live at the Loft was awesome. 20 years from now they gonna look at Tone and say he was that dude. I want people to look at me and say the same.


Shep: Do you think your sound will change over time?
Moruf: Definitely. Being an mc you gotta be progressive. I'm my biggest competition. I'm  trying to top myself. I want people to say "damn, I didn't know Moo could get down like that!" Like don't get locked into one sound. You're an artist. Paint nigga. 


Shep: What inspires you?
Moruf: My family, my parents, my bros....I look up to people that I know. I don't have to go to a screen to look up to niggas. Everyone around me inspires me. As far as music goes, I'm feeling a lot of non-rap, Little Dragon, Thundercat, Flying Lotus...


Shep: What makes you sovereign?
Moruf: We move as ourselves. We don't have to be puppets. You can create your own lane and be confident in it and people will follow you. Don't be a puppet. 


Peep a random performance from Moruf and follow him on twitter here.