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Monday Mixtape: Rapper Mohammed “BigMo” Alkhadher

Music hardly exists in a vacuum. Like an interconnected web, each tune and each track released to the world came from somewhere and leads to somewhere else. At Aslan Media, we recognize that very few albums come to us without influence, and it is those artists that walked the road before who shape the styles and expressions of the musicians we profile.

To show that music is an expression that knows no physical, cultural, societal or economic boundaries, Aslan Media is beginning a new regular series called Monday Mixtape. Artists profiled on this site share with us the tracks that inspire and influence who and where they are as music artists. The genres covered by these playlists are limitless, as are the artists they include. Whether situated in the Middle East or beyond, they carry universal messages found in every region of the world.

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This month’s Mixtape comes from Mohammed Alkhadher, a Portland-based rapper and poet better known to his friends as BigMo. Half-Kuwaiti, half-American, he’s an internationally-emerging recording artist who speaks to the truth of creating politically and socially conscious material as a way to expres his international background and to unite and facilitate dialogue between the country where he lives and the region he’s still deeply tied to. “Hip-Hop has emerged as a form of reconciliation there,” he explains in his Facebook page, “a platform upon which free expression may ameliorate the confusion and distress that political and religious strife brings to their doorstep.”

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Here’s a sampling of the tracks that inspire BigMo and influence his work:

1. Juicy - Notorious B.I.G.

Many of my songs come from the struggle of trying to reach my dreams. From dreaming it, to planning it, to executing. Beyond the depth, Biggie also represents how BIG can be attractive, socially and through the media.

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2. Lost Ones - J. Cole.

J. Cole may be one of the greatest story tellers of our generation, especially from multiple perspectives. It's beautiful. We tend to forget that Hip-Hop is poetry and get sucked into what youtube, and TV sells us. This song still gives me chills when I hear it.

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3. Luck-One ft Dizz - Black Seed

Luck always always shows a tasteful balance of faith, and policy. I look to him, as a muse for inspiration on a regular basis. I'm lucky to share Portland, Oregon with him, and am able to pick his mind from time to time.

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4. Kanye West - All Falls Down.

All Falls Down, of The College Dropout is one of the songs that got me into writing. I was about 13 when it came out, I had already started writing... but, when I look back on those days, I remember listening that album the most.

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5. Ex.Factor - Lauryn Hill

As an artist, you try to create something that everyone can relate to... whether it be mutual emotions, accusation, or beliefs. This song, puts me in that mood.

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6. Destiny - Omar Offendum

This song is what motivated me into mixing my arabic more into my lyrics. Omar Offendum is definitely one of the pioneers of Arab-HipHop. Poetically, Omar is one of the most educated, and well-read writers in the game today, Urban and Classical.

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7. Road To Zion - Damian Marley Ft. Nas

Because it reminds me that no matter how much negative in the world, we must continue on to our journey, and strive to reach zion (whether it be Jerusalem, the holy of holies, or as a metaphor for the goals you'd like to accomplish). "I got to keep on walking/On the Road to Zion"

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8. The Narcicyst (Period)

Narcy never fails to inspire me. Whether it be linguistically, lyrically, or metaphorically. The guy is very talented, and I've been blessed with the opportunity to meet, and perform on the same stage with him.

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*Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist Facebook

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