My City: Kam Moye’s Determined to Put N. Carolina on the Map

Petey Pablo's helicopter shirt waving aside, North Carolina hip-hop hasn't gotten a lot of shine on the national stage, but NC-native Kam Moye is determined to change all that, and do it while remaining true to himself and his artistic vision. In this edition of our My City series, Kam proves that N. Carolina artists are more pervasive then you might think, details his love for the global hip-hop game and explains that his region's lasting contribution to the world may just be incredibly delicious but incredibly unhealthy food.

RefinedHype: You're from the largely overlooked state of North Carolina. How do you think being from a lesser known area has affected your music and career?

Kam Moye: I think it makes you work a little harder to be heard. You have to use technology to further yourself or you're missing out. The thing that people don't realize is that there are some musical legends who are originally from North Carolina. People like Nina Simone, George Clinton, John Coltrane, and Maceo Parker. You've got hip hop artists such as Black Sheep and Ski, who was down with Roc-a-fella, who have roots in North Carolina but repped New York. I guess now we are being recognized for hip hop more than ever before.

RefinedHype: Listening to your music, how would someone know you're from North Carolina, if they could tell at all?

Kam Moye: North Carolina hasn't really established its own identity when it comes to being recognized by the masses outside of college sports and NASCAR. So I don't think that there's any one thing that the average person could pinpoint about me being from North Carolina right now. Maybe later down the line people will be able to tell the difference. Until then, just think about North Carolina whenever you have Pepsi, Krispy Kreme donuts, Texas Pete hot sauce, and Golden Corral. The state's influence is in everything from unhealthy food to good music.

RefinedHype: You've traveled the globe, having visited every country from Germany to Switzerland. What are the biggest differences between the American and international hip-hop scene?

Kam Moye: Personally, I see a difference in their appreciation for an artist's catalog rather than their current buzz. That's why legendary groups will tour overseas before they tour in the U.S. Not to say that it's not as trendy but if you toured there ten years ago then you could probably still tour there today as long as you're still somewhat active. Once you're popularity in the U.S. has died down, you can forget about it. Maybe come back 20 years later and do a reunion show or something.

RefinedHype: Where do you go for inspiration?

Kam Moye: I draw inspiration from the life experiences of myself and the people around me. There's so much that happens in our lives everyday that rappers don't speak on because it seems too normal for them. It's about how you tell your perspective to the world. Pay attention to the small details and make it an interesting song. No idea is original but it's always entertaining to here a new take on something.

RefinedHype: Last words?

Kam Moye: I just want to encourage music lovers to support the artists that they are fans of. Allow us to grow and progress as artists the same way that you do in your everyday life. My new album, "Splitting Image", is in stores right now. If you want to hear an honest perspective from a hard working brother then this is the album for you. Thanks for the opportunity to be heard.

Has Kam Moye piqued your musical interest? Check out the "Spitting Image" sampler, available for download here.