“My label was built on the back of a slave. My music is made with the bloo… Read Full Bio ↴“My label was built on the back of a slave. My music is made with the blood of a king.” J. is the walking personification of duality. From the beginning of his career he was faced with a level of criticism that would cause most dreams to shatter instantly. With hip hop divided into different sub genres, it was hard for J. Moir to find a place to belong. Gangster rappers didn’t understand the Vampire references. Back packers thought his style was too decadent. And everyone else had a different definition for what’s real. Diversity is where J. shines. Being from Boston, living out of his car in California to currently setting up roots in Denver, J. has gotten to see the very best and worst of the hip hop lifestyle up close.

J. started rapping when he was 15 and picked up the piano at 17 years old when he joined an industrial noise core band. This experience taught him to think outside the box when developing his own sound. The idea of conventional hip hop bored him to no avail. In 2004 J. Moir started to organize and decided to take his dream and turn it into life with the creation of Noca Records. He went into this venture with one singular thought. “I have no one to blame but myself now.” This company was his chance to introduce his future audience to Gothic Hip Hop.

Gothic Hip Hop is more than genre it’s a movement. It’s a tribute to 11th Century to 14th Century Eastern European art Renaissance. The sound is more orchestrated and operatic with a mix of modern synth. The songs are more compositions than beats. The lyrical content ranges from life to love, to extravagant lifestyles and mythology of all kinds. One key component to J. Moir’s style is how real and lyrically in your face can he be without resorting to constant use of profanity. This sets him apart from virtually every hip hop artist. He produces, writes, manages and markets his brand like tomorrow will never come. 2009 promises to be a victorious year for J. Moir with the release of his first full length album and string of accompanying music videos and live performances.

Departed
J. Moir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was in the back
Smoking short stacks
Pretending to be me
But no one is real
I was right, No I was wrong

Sitting on the stage
Controlling my heart

Making it up as I go along
With one pocket knife and
c Song!

The Dearly Departed
c Smack in your face
The Dearly Departed
They won't take your place.

Cutting it up everybody dies
Skateboards, Beer, and Drugs
Everything you want is free
No one sees shadows like you
No one sees shadows.... quite, like me

The Dearly Departed
There's nothing left of it ......
The Dearly Departed
There's nothing left of it ......

The Dearly Departed
c Smack in your face
The Dearly Departed
They won't take your place.

Jump up and down, no one's around
I just scream into the ground
No one really sees me
We all want to fly, Your all going
To Die. No one ever even cried
You name!!!

The Dearly Departed
Smack in your face

The Dearly Departed
They won't take your place!!!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J. Moir's song "Departed" delve into themes of identity, mortality, and the desire for recognition. The song opens with the singer feeling detached and disconnected from their true self, pretending to be someone they are not. The line "But no one is real, I was right, No I was wrong" reflects their struggle with authenticity and the realization that true genuineness is scarce.

As the song progresses, the singer finds themselves on stage, trying to control their heart and make sense of their life as they navigate through it. The mention of a pocket knife and the phrase "making it up as I go along" suggest a sense of improvisation and the need to adapt to circumstances. The addition of "c Song!" could possibly highlight the importance of music in their search for meaning and expression.

The chorus, "The Dearly Departed, Smack in your face, The Dearly Departed, They won't take your place," brings forth a concept of mortality. It presents the idea that despite one's absence or passing, the impact they had on others cannot be replaced. It can also be interpreted as a reminder that everyone eventually meets their demise, no matter how prominent or insignificant they may appear in life.

The second verse introduces a different perspective, where the singer reflects on the transient nature of existence. The combination of "Cutting it up everybody dies, Skateboards, Beer, and Drugs" suggests a reckless and carefree lifestyle that ultimately leads to mortality. The line "Everything you want is free, No one sees shadows like you, No one sees shadows... quite, like me" could be an indication of the singer feeling misunderstood or unique in their perception of the world, emphasizing their individuality.

In the final verse, there is a sense of frustration and loneliness. The singer jumps and screams, as if trying to attract attention, but feels unseen by others. The line "We all want to fly, Your all going to Die. No one ever even cried, You name!!!" conveys a mix of despair and defiance, highlighting the universal human desire for freedom and recognition, as well as the harsh reality of mortality.

Overall, "Departed" seems to explore the complex emotions surrounding one's existence, the struggle to find authenticity, and the understanding that everyone, no matter how significant or insignificant, will ultimately face death.

Line by Line Meaning

I was in the back
I was hiding and trying to blend in

Smoking short stacks
Engaging in destructive habits to cope

Pretending to be me
Putting on a facade and not being authentic

But no one is real
Realizing that people around are also hiding their true selves

I was right, No I was wrong
Constantly questioning and doubting my own beliefs

Sitting on the stage
Being in the spotlight and feeling exposed

Controlling my heart
Trying to hide my emotions and maintain control

Making it up as I go along
Adapting and improvising without a clear plan

With one pocket knife and
With limited resources and tools

c Song!
Creating art as an outlet for expression

The Dearly Departed
Those who have passed away