Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — I found that no matter what type of music I listened to I was always pulled in by the hip-hop aspect in the songs.” Born in Syria, Molham a.k.a Moh Flow is a rapper and singer, raised in Jeddah, one of Saudi Arabia's most musically inclined and multifaceted cities. For Molham, music is not a choice but a necessity. “I saw my brother attempt to make his own music since I was 9 and he was 14.” Ayham, his elder brother, who has been an inspiration to Molham, heads AY Production. “I used to observe everything he did. About four years later I teamed up with a close friend of mine called OZ, with just a PC, headphones, microphone and AY Production beats.” Molham continued to practice till his friend and artist Anas Arabi returned from Lebanon. “We got a lot of support from Samer Kredieh at Go Productions here. We got all the studio time we needed, and all the equipment a local artist can wish for. I was 15 when we started making decent quality music.” Currently studying for his bachelors in Dubai, Molham said: “I want music to be my full time job. Since music is still not putting food on the table, I can't take my chances. Even if it starts paying off I will continue with my bachelors. The only thing I might change is the plan for masters.” He said nowadays, every new artist is a combination of all his or her favorites and what you listen to affects your perception greatly. “Progressing in Saudi Arabia was difficult with the limited resources and the Arab state of mind where very few people are willing to help each other out. But I was lucky to find people that were hip-hop activists and supporters were willing to help without expecting anything in return. The progression was very limited, but lately it has become much better and faster.” With the support of talented family and friends who shared a deep love for music, Molham described their influence on his chosen career. He said his mother is his number one fan. “My mother is extremely supportive when it comes to music. She used to sing when she was young and she had a lot of opportunities but she couldn't pursue them. So my lifestyle wasn't an issue at home. The supportive environment made it easy for me to try and pursue my dream. I had no limitation and I had a studio, AY and Anas Arabi to make beats and mix and master tracks, and friends like Majic who were willing to be at the studio 24/7.” He said he raps about life, what he loves, experiences, and hates. “I say if your music isn't real and truthful its a waste of time and effort.” He said telling stories can be real, but plain exaggeration and bragging ruins the hip-hop genre. Talking about why unlike other Arab artists who rap about the current situation in their home countries, Moh Flow does not talk about Syria, through his music, Molham explained it is a different story. “The situation in Syria is just sad and tragic. I prefer not to make music about the situation specifically because I still have family members who are still in Syria and that wouldn't be responsible of me. I wrote a lot about it, and I'm just waiting for the right time to release those tracks. Although in almost every track I write you should be able to hear a little about how much it upsets my family and me.” Talking about his love for music he said: “I was ready to pass on anything almost everyday just so I can be at the studio.” Molham said he tries to convey his thoughts and experiences in a relatable way through his verses. “I don't enjoy fictitious raps; I enjoy listening to something I can relate to, something I feel for. That is why I am to make the same music I like to listen to, now every now and then everybody loves some wordplay and clever metaphors, but no matter how I aim to hit a track its still as real as I can make it.” Always interested in hip-hop, with time Molham got more interested in RnB and joined Run Junction. “Anas Arabi provided the studio. “He and Tim Granite started reaching out to us. Since Anas and me always made music together I was asked to join; and since Majic and me were always making music Majic was asked to join. “Kaffien was close to Ayham, Anas, and Tim Granite. So basically we all knew each other somehow. Uzi, Mindcircus, and Vizion as well. “This group was what helped me progress as a rapper I am today. “Run Junction is more of a brotherhood than a rap group. That is what got to progress lyrically. “But musically I feed off my brother Ayham. With Ayham, I can direct a track, we can start a beat from scratch and just talk about where it should go and how it should be, what to add and what to take out. I enjoy that musical process.” He said he would like to collaborate with Styles P, Method Man, Joe Budden and Ab-Soul. “I love collaborating with local artists everywhere; its very cool to be able to see how underground rappers go about making tracks together. I have collaborated a lot with NF, Ayzee, Majic and Anas Arabi. I have a few collaborations with Sluether, Majeed, and Abz. I am working on collaborating with everybody who makes good music in Saudi.” His personal favorite artists in the KSA are Vizion, Majic, Ayzee, and BlackBannerz and his friends N.F, Nino bless, Kendrick Lamar and Ab Soul. Molham is currently working on a group of tracks produced by Ayham. “But this time around me and AY are going to think it through very carefully and decide what's best. “I want this new project to be heard, so I'm thinking about a fee strategies in which to release it in. Hoping I can book a few shows before I do.” Moh Flow's latest singles can be found on Ayzee's new mix tape “4502,” also produced by AY Production. He said: “My dream is to have my music reach a lot of people. Not just by forcing them to listen to it by getting radio time. “But by reaching out to their hearts and minds. Because at the end of the day, an artist's dream and vision revolves around being able to express themselves and hoping someone relates.”
