J. Moss

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J. Moss

Background information
Birth name James Moss
Also known as Ricky Styles
Origin Detroit, Michigan
United States
Genre(s) Gospel, CCM, urban gospel, hip hop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger
Years active 1996-present
Label(s) Island Inspirational
GospoCentric Records
Associated acts PAJAM
Karen Clark Sheard
The Clark Sisters

J. Moss is a Detroit-based gospel songwriter and record producer.

Contents

[edit] Early years

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan as James Moss, the son of Gospel star Bill Moss, Sr., James spent much of his childhood on tours with his father's popular group, Bill Moss and the Celestials, and his cousin's group The Clark Sisters. As an early teen, Moss was teamed with his brother Bill Jr. in the singing duo The Moss Brothers. They toured on weekends around the midwest and recorded two major label albums during their seven years together.

In this period James developed as a keyboardist and burgeoning songwriter. He was also learning first-hand the business of music. He attended Michigan State University for two years, but the desire to write and perform was too strong, and he left to seek a career in music.

[edit] Musical career

Upon his return to Detroit, Moss signed with a small local Christian label Aviday Records[1] and released two albums to little fanfare. Yet, during this time he became acquainted with Paul Allen and Walter Kearney. The three began working together as PAJAM. Moss spent the mid-90s touring with The Clark Sisters and was signed, along with Karen Clark-Sheard, his cousin, to Island Records in 1996 to record a solo album.[1] While a proper release never materialized for Moss before Island Black Music shut its doors,[2] Clark's became a smash and introduced the Gospel world to the production powerhouse of PAJAM.

Over the next seven years, the PAJAM team became Gospel music's most prolific hitmakers. However, Moss' desire to perform never went away, and in 2003 he and Allen began writing songs for what would ultimately become The J. Moss Project, released in September 2004 on GospoCentric Records.

Though PAJAM's work has been seen as a revolutionary blend of gospel and hip-hop style, The J. Moss Project is a surprisingly traditional affair. The set largely relies on familiar arrangements, and keeps its focus on Moss's clear tenor voice and strong backing choir vocals. The album made a grand entry with the upbeat lead single "I Wanna Be".

The disc includes a number of upbeat gospel numbers such as such as "Don't Pray and Worry" and "Psalm 150". J. Moss' lithe falsetto at times draws comparison to the likes of Prince and Tonéx on "Livin' 4". There are also several gentle ballads such as "Give You More" and the album's anthemic single "We Must Praise" that display J. Moss' range as a vocalist and songwriter.

[edit] V2... The J Moss Project

The concept cover for J Moss' 2007 release
The concept cover for J Moss' 2007 release[3]

Several channels had reported that a second release entitled V2... The Voice Returns would be due September 2006 on GospoCentric Records. A music video for its lead single "Operator" had been made available on YouTube[4], yet an official release date had not been set. It should be noted that there is also a video on YouTube that shows J Moss performing this same song[5].

Finally, on April 3, 2007, J Moss released his second album V2... The J Moss Project through GospoCentric Records. Appearances made by contemporary Gospel group 21:03, Moss's cousin Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Kirk Franklin, his cousin Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Winans of the famed Winans family, Byron Cage, and American comedian Steve Harvey. Three bonus tracks were originally thought to be regular album tracks. The bonus tracks are "Florida", "73 Degress", and "Everybody Ain't Got a Word".

[edit] Discography

NOTE: This discography is specific to J. Moss as a featured singer only, not producer, writer, arranger, or background vocalist.

[edit] Albums

  • The J. Moss Project (GospoCentric, 2004)
  • V2... The J Moss Project (GospoCentric, 2007)

[edit] Notable Singles

  • "I Wanna Be"
  • "We Must Praise"
  • "Operator"
  • "Praise on the Inside"
  • "I'm Not Perfect"

[edit] Other notable credits

  • Patti LaBelle and Kendall Hart: "More Than (He Loves You) (featuring J. Moss)" The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle (Umbrella, 2006)
  • Byron Cage: "We Love You (feat. J. Moss)" An Invitation To Worship (GospoCentric, 2005)
  • Kirk Franklin: "Could've Been (featuring J. Moss)" Hero (2005)
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Bonner, Gerard. Interview With J. Moss: The Y2J (Moss) Factor. GospelFlava.com.
  2. ^ J Moss Interview. Livin Right.
  3. ^ J Moss V2 at MusiChristian.com.
  4. ^ J Moss Operator Music Video.
  5. ^ J Moss Performing His Song Operator.
v • d • e
Moss-Clark-Sheard family
Mother
The Clark Sisters
Other

We must praise