Moddon Endorses True Creativity & Teases More Music On The Way

Intro:

Moddon is a Delaware-raised artist who possesses a deep genuine passion for music. You can hear the wide range of catchy melodies & style versatility in his work so far. One of Moddon’s main focuses is crafting music right now that’ll connect with the world authentically through raw emotion. It’s rare we get to learn this much about the artist himself outside of his art. Before reading our full conversation below, you can also follow the artist on all platforms at @presidentmodd to stay connected.

Meet Moddon

Me: What first got you into music & the music industry?

Moddon: Honestly..it all started from listening to music since I was a child. My mom made music for a while, and being part of her journey was something that always was in the back of my mind. While trying to live an athlete life, I still wanted to be part of music somehow. I started making beats for like 6 months but they were dirt honestly lol.

During my athletic journey, I was lucky to meet another artist who was on a similar journey at the time and introduced me to the mic. The producer I was trying to work with when it came to making beats ended up becoming my engineer. Now the rest is still being written.

Wow and has your family always supported your music journey along the way? What about your friends too?

Yes, my friends and family are what keep me motivated. Being that my mom was a musician and made it to where she made it with music, she believes in what I do. She honestly bought me my first piano and drum set and also believed in me when I was ready to quit sports with offers and pursue being a producer.

My friends on the other hand all make music and are not afraid to tell me which track they love and which track they don’t want me to play again. Some tracks I’ve dropped just because I’ve seen how my friends reacted to certain tracks which sometimes made me drop it. That’s something most artist won’t say or get the platform to say but yes friends/family can sometimes dictate drops.

That’s smart man. I’ve always thought your stage name was pretty cool too. Where does it originate from?

I came up with Moddon randomly one day while kicking it with one of my boys (shout out X who honestly gave me that fuel to take this seriously) Being that I grew up in a Caribbean/Spanish household the word “Don” holds weight lol. What’s understood doesn’t gotta be explained Then Mod came from my full name lol being Amod I’ve heard some people call me MOD ….DON when it’s really one word lol. One of my boys said it reminds him of Madonna just take out the a at the end

How would you describe your music in TWO words to someone who's never listened before?

Valley Ride

That’s interesting! Would you be able to elaborate on this “Valley Ride” sound further?

I would describe it as angelic and trippy, with a mix of love poems. My sound has definitely changed over the past couple of years. Before I wasn’t really saying much and trying to work on a sound, but now I feel like I’ve turned a lot of my songs into poems; which allowed me to talk more and actually share my thoughts, feelings, and traumas with lots of people.

Do you remember the first song you've ever made by chance?

The first song I made was Dirty Money, a track I still can’t find. I know someone has it though. I enjoyed making it. It was actually a collab with a well-known producer in Delaware, but we just never worked again because of life I guess. If I had to compare it to my music now I wouldn’t downplay it. Honestly just needed more attitude and more freedom when making it. That just came with time though.

What are some other talents & hobbies outside of music that some may not know about you?

This question is so cool to me because I think people look at artists as abnormal people or people who live a certain life when most of us work 9-5s or actually have hobbies that we enjoy. Me personally, I like to thrift, and also play Madden lol. Fishing when I’m able to and hitting the gym all bring peace to me when I can’t find peace within myself.

Who are some artists you would like to work with around your area?

Honestly, there are so many artists in Delaware. I come across a new artist everyday. I would love to work with everyone. Being that I’m in a small state you would think most artist would want to work or build, but most the time it’s ego in the way or they treating it like a business which is completely understandable. Just sometimes I think it would be cool just to make art and see the blessings after.

Who are some of your favorite artists/producers/engineers/etc. to work with?

This list is long but straight to the point. Artist-wise, I’ve made a lot of music with an artist from Maryland named LMC. He has a grungy cold-cut sound that can fit anywhere. Another artist is 33dontay. Him and I complement each other well on a lot of tracks. Where I can’t pick up he cleans it all up at; no matter if it’s a verse or a hook. We always put it together and most of the time it’s straight freestyles. I don’t think we ever wrote anything that we’ve made.

Another artist is Ksubi. Someone who honestly can make anything..that may be biased, but I honestly believe there’s nothing he can’t create. Another artist is 247even . He hasn’t dropped anything yet, but he’s someone who definitely helps behind the scenes and isn’t afraid to get his hands inky with that pen. One of the best writers I know.

Another artist I love working with is Chronic. He is from the Philly/Dcal area. He’s honestly one of the most underrated in the tri-state. He can jump in and out of what I like to call fazes for an artist, while still keeping his sound and letting you know “Hey this is me on the track “ without having to say it. I met him while on a journey a couple of years back and we built a relationship outside of business and music. I have videos of him freestyling for days lol.

Producer-wise, there are only 2 that deserve a plaque in my eyes. First is izzraw. I think he’s an all-around musician who can make dirt turn into gold. I’ve made over 50 tracks with him and whether it’s a throwaway or release we look at each other and smile because we know we made something different. Another producer I’ve worked with is Phantom. He’s honestly a sound god lol that’s someone I enjoyed working with, but also enjoyed watching work. He sits down locks in and doesn’t let any outside distractions interrupt what he is creating. That alone should tell you what his ear and work ethic is like. I honestly would love to make a tape with him in the near future. Both of them also can really dive into the artist's side if they really wanted to because they both have beautiful voices behind the mic. Hope I’m not being too loud though lol.

Is there any advice you would give to someone who is thinking about getting into music?

Yes, take yourself seriously. Challenge yourself and don’t be afraid to wing it sometimes. Planning is not always the best formula when it comes to music or life.

What does a world without music look like in your imagination?

Boring with no emotion. I think music lets you channel your inner you. Doesn't matter if you hard body or if you’re just living like a good civilian, there’s songs that made you cry or get chills or made you happy. Just the power of music honestly.

Any future plans for your career? Additionally, who is an artist/producer you dream of collaborating with?

My biggest plan is just to have a good/shocking rollout end of ‘24 going into ‘25. I feel like my music has matured, and now it’s time to put some power behind it. Dreams collaboration would be with darkchild. I know he’s a little early 2k but I think a lot of his stuff could change or set a new tone for the underground.