After 20 years of spinning his wheels on the St. Louis music scene trying to make it as a rapper/songwriter/producer, the industry seemed to have passed Larry Moody, a.k.a. Larry MC, by.
Nelly and the St. Lunatics (including Murphy Lee and Ali), Chingy, JKWon and a host of local rappers and producers have sprinted straight past him to the national scene.
But through his song “Reflect Before You Elect” – an effort to do his part in the historical election of Barack Obama as President of the United States – Moody would receive words of encouragement that were more valuable than superstar status or zeros in the bank.
“My intention was for this song to get out there and for people to hear this message and for it to change the world,” Mood said. “And I got a letter back from the president for doing the song. Now how good is that?”
He had the letter mounted and framed like a certified platinum plaque. Moody removed the protective covering from the letter with care.
“Thank you for your kind message and interesting CD,” Obama’s letter read. “My family and I have been touched by the outpouring of support we have received since announcing my candidacy for President.”
Less than two months after Moody received his priceless note, Obama would make history as the nation’s first African-American president.
The message of hope that Obama personified through his campaign and election Moody is carrying with him as he pursues his career in music.
A graduate of Soldan’s class of 1978, Moody is much older than the MCs who would be considered his contemporaries. His cadences and lyrical flow are similar to that of the early ‘80s made famous by Kurtis Blow, Dougie Fresh and Run DMC – still reflecting the style that was popular when Moody first entered into the rap game.
“People of the world, let’s come together … love your friends, and sisters and brothers,” Moody raps in “Reflect Before You Elect” in that totally ‘80s pace with quick dramatic pauses.
His style predates the verbal imagery made famous by Generation X and Generation Y lyricists. But Moody feels that through his positive messages, he will eventually strike a chord that will change the world.
He’s written jingle tunes featuring the St. Louis Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals that have been featured on local network TV.
But when Obama announced his candidacy, Moody went straight to the lab to create what he had hoped would change the course of his career – but, more importantly, to aid in the changing the course of history.
He went about getting his song to the masses the old fashioned way. He didn’t use personal connections to put it in the hands of the people who could get exposure.
Moody sent his single via certified mail to Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Steve Harvey and placed it in the hands of Michael Baisden.
He got word back from Obama, but none of the others. But that was all he needed as validation that he was going in the right direction and should keep pressing forward with his aspirations of becoming a rap star.
“If the song hadn’t have been good, it never would have gotten to the president,” Moody said. “Just think of the thousands of artists that sent him stuff. I’m really blessed.”
Once Obama was elected, he remixed the song to “Respect and Protect.”
He’s now looking for sponsors so that he can finance putting the single in record stores, but Moody swears that his intention lies in delivering a message to the masses and not money to his bank account.
Moody said, “My mission is to help making the world a better place.”
In the meantime, Moody still works full-time as a security guard while making music – and now even working to create a musical legacy by working with his daughter Khalilah and son Larry Jr., who both sing and rap.
He said, “I keep a smile on my face I keep going and I figure God has a plan for me.”
For more information about Larry MC’s single “Respect and Protect,” call (314) 369-8035.
