He has an enduring international fan base, which has grown from 2000 onwards from when he was a founding member of Zero7, the highly successful British trip hop ambient band.
After contributing to the first two Zero7 albums (Simple Things and When It Falls) Mozez launched his solo career and now records in his own studio and on his own label, London-based Numen Records.
As a solo artist, he has already released two albums (So Still and Time Out), and aims to put out a third during the summer of 2014. It will be supported by a US tour.
During 2013, Mozez released several singles including Wings, a song from the forthcoming album, which has had more than 1.5m hits on Youtube alone.
He then released the single Be Like Water as the soundtrack to No Way As Way, a documentary film about martial arts icon Bruce Lee produced in the US and distributed by Warner Brothers.
2013 also saw him busy with live performances, including an international tour with Nightmares On Wax (DJ George Evelyn) as guest vocalist in Europe and the US.
In a review of So Still, critic Norman Mayers wrote in California-based Prefix Magazine: “Every so often an artist comes around who refuses to be categorized, someone whose music is so creative and unusual that it manages to simply exist on its own merits. Mozez is such an artist.”
Mozez earliest musical roots were based on gospel, soul and reggae, but he grew to embrace a wide range of other musical genres and styles. Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles became as big an influence on his musical taste as Curtis Mayfield, The Commodores, and Marvin Gaye.
“I was an avid listener, and all those guys became a part of my musical assimilation,” Mozez says.
Mozez learned to sing in gospel choirs in Jamaica. After moving to London, his first major break as a professional artist came in 1996 when, as part of British vocal house duo Spirits, he had hits with Don't Bring Me Down and Spirit Inside.
He then became established worldwide soon afterwards as lead male singer for Zero7.
He wrote songs for the band’s highly successful first two albums, platinum-selling Simple Things and When It Falls, which quickly drove Zero7 from being merely an experimental trip hop act, to become the huge mainstream success story of the alternative ambient genre.
His debut solo album So Still was released in October 2005 to great acclaim, a more mature and soulful work featuring many of the down-tempo elements he has become known for. Collaborators on the album included Madonna producer Guy Sigsworth, Nightmares On Wax and Henry Binns of Zero7.
The album launched his solo career, and he followed it up with Time Out.
His works have been used for soundtracks for film and TV such as Running For Time, CSI Miami and, more recently, for the Bruce Lee documentary, released in July 2013.
Feel Free
Mozez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You keep knocking on heaven's door
On the road to a looming night
You explore the madden clouds
For all the reasons that i can't tell
The road to heavens and the road to hell
So wrap your finger around the world
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, long as you wanna live)
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, live, long as you wanna live)
Been to a wishing well
Hoping for what time can't tell
For all that you can't find
Were they meant to be left behind?
So wrap your fingers around the world
And treat it like you've found a hidden pearl
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, long as you wanna live)
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, live, long as you wanna live)
Be the star:
You want to shine on
Walk through the darkness
Be strong
In the light of oneness
Live on
You belong
You are strong
Be the star:
You want to shine on
Walk through the darkness
Be strong
In the light of oneness
Live on
You belong
You are strong
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, long as you wanna live)
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Live long (live, live, long as you wanna live)
(just be what you wanna be)
(feel free, you've gotta be)
(be happy as you wanna be)
(live, long as you wanna live)
(just be what you wanna be)
(feel free, you've gotta be)
(be happy as you wanna be)
(live, long as you wanna live)
The lyrics of Mozez's song "Feel Free" talk about exploring the unknown, pushing boundaries, and embracing life as it comes. The singer starts by expressing a sense of familiarity with the journey, as though they have heard it all before, and the person they address keeps knocking on heaven's door. They talk about exploring the clouds and the road to both heaven and hell, perhaps reflecting the idea that life is full of unknown possibilities, and we are never quite sure what to expect.
The chorus urges the listener to "feel free" and be who they want to be, embracing their youth and happiness, living as long as they want to. The second verse talks about going to a wishing well, hoping for something that time can't tell. It asks if the things we can't find are meant to be left behind, as we wrap our fingers around the world and treat it like a hidden pearl.
The lyrics seem to be a call to live life on one's terms, embracing its mysteries and taking chances along the way. They also invite us to be strong in the light of oneness, to live on, and to know that we are all stars that can shine brightly.
Line by Line Meaning
Think i've heard it all before
Mozez is familiar with the concept of someone seeking entry into heaven through knocking, and he has already heard this before.
You keep knocking on heaven's door
Someone is persistently trying to enter heaven, but they have not yet succeeded.
On the road to a looming night
A metaphor for a journey or experience that may be difficult or challenging, but it is not completely clear what it refers to.
You explore the madden clouds
The person is venturing into unknown or dangerous territory.
For all the reasons that i can't tell
Mozez is not sure why the person is on this journey or what motivates them.
The road to heavens and the road to hell
There are two paths that people can take, one leading to heaven and the other to hell.
So wrap your finger around the world
Mozez suggests that the person should grasp the entire world with their finger, perhaps as a symbol of taking control of their own fate.
And treat it like you've found a hidden pearl
Mozez encourages the person to cherish the world and view it as a precious treasure.
Feel free (just be what you wanna be)
Mozez is advising the listener to be true to themselves and live life on their own terms.
Be young (feel free, you've gotta be)
Mozez is encouraging the listener to maintain a youthful and adventurous spirit.
Be happy (be happy as you wanna be)
Mozez is suggesting that the listener find happiness in their own way and on their own terms.
Live long (live, long as you wanna live)
Mozez is advising the listener to live a long life and to do so in a way that is fulfilling to them.
Been to a wishing well
The person has gone to a place where they can make wishes, but it is not clear what they wished for.
Hoping for what time can't tell
The person is hoping for something that may not be possible or may not happen.
For all that you can't find
The person is searching for something that they have not yet found.
Were they meant to be left behind?
Mozez questions whether the person was meant to find what they are searching for or if they should simply move on.
Be the star:
Mozez is encouraging the listener to be a star or a shining example for others.
You want to shine on
The listener has a desire to stand out and make a difference in the world.
Walk through the darkness
Mozez is advising the listener to persevere through difficult times.
Be strong
Mozez is encouraging the listener to be resilient and not give up.
In the light of oneness
Mozez is suggesting that people can find strength and unity by working together toward a common goal.
Live on
Mozez is advising the listener to keep going, even when times are tough.
You belong
Mozez is suggesting that everyone has a place in the world and is valued.
You are strong
Mozez is reminding the listener that they have inner strength and resilience.
Writer(s): Guy Sigsworth, Osmond Wright
Contributed by Blake P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MindTracker
'So Still' is really a very good album. I haven't had such an 'eargasmic' experience listening to a CD since I've heard Zero 7's 'Simple Things' for the first time. I hope that there will be many more albums like this one...
Jesus Villanueva
Amazing album... One of the best buys I've ever done. Keep it up, Mozez!
Gazo Chum
what an amazing song , a mood setter for sure
moonsafari200
Just simply brilliant! There's no other way to describe it!
Starslider
Truly amazing...what a voice!!! Sheer beauty!!!!
Jfranklin84
I love the cd. I bought it when it was first released. I still play it in my car.
Patrick Wright
Beautiful song amazing talent-
lechonlvr2525
wow! what a great song!!! fan of mozez with zero 7, now fan of mozez solo
marco rossi
uno dei migliori albumi degli ultimi 5 anni
MindTracker
Great video, even greater song... I really like it.