This is the spot where you’ll see upcoming producers and Industry veterans in the game. A lot of people don’t know what goes into production. This will be the section where we feature the hottest producers in hip hop. Each month we’ll bring to you a new producer along with their background.
THIS MONTH’S FEATURE IS: CORY-MO
Super producer in the making, Cory Mo has been bringing heat to various Rap/Hip Hop albums as far back as 1999, after forming M.A.D. STUDIOZ with his brother Mike Mo in Houston, Texas and recently opening another location in Atlanta, GA.
Cory has worked with Grammy winning, Platinum selling artists such as Scarface, Geto Boys, Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Devin The Dude, Talib Kweli, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall & Rick Ross to name a few. Being from Houston, neighbor to Port Author, Texas, Cory worked closely with Legendary artists Bun B & Pimp C (R.I.P), better known as UGK-Underground Kingz.
On UGK’s final album UGK 4LIFE, Cory Mo was fortunate enough to obtain twenty-five percent of the production credits, producing 4 banging tracks out of 16 total, completing this very well put together final tribute album. Cory opens the album with the Intro and produced ‘Everybody Wanna Ball’, ‘She Luv It’, and ‘Harry Asshole’ and closes album out with Outro.
If producing is his calling, then writing is Cory-Mo’s passion. “If things go my way,” he predicts, “I’ll still be producing music and writing songs when I’m sixty years old.”
Often dubbed “Houston’s Most Unknown,” Cory-Mo has actually been a staple in the Texas community for years. Co-owning M.A.D. (Money at the Door) Studios with his older brother Mike-Mo, C-Mo has worked with everyone from U.G.K. to Devin the Dude. His musical expertise has been sought after by artists like Z-Ro, Geto Boys, Lil Keke, Mike Jones, Slim Thug, David Banner, and others who felt C-Mo’s classic southern sound added timeless value to their projects.
One of Cory-Mo’s highest awarded production credits appeared on Bun B’s Trill album (“The Inauguration” intro), an album that earned a gold plaque. And while supplying a track for a gold album may seem monumental to most, there is actually an even more significant record on Cory-Mo’s resume. He’s honored to have produced “Underground Thang” on Bun B’s 2 Trill album, the last song Pimp and Bun ever recorded together. Another priceless memory is “Top Drop Dyne,” a Best Buy bonus track on UGK’s Underground Kingz album. “That’s one of the last songs I produced and rapped on with Pimp C,” he says. “I think it’s gon’ forever be a UGK Classic.” Underground Kingz appeared in the #1 spot on Billboard charts adding massive weight to Cory-Mo’s already mounting list of achievements.
Though C-Mo has an obvious knack for hip-hop and rap production, his limitless ear and knowledge of instruments enable him to explore other genres as well. R&B, Gospel, pop, rock, and a variety of other influences are married seamlessly throughout his entire catalog. In addition to composing for some of Rap’s greatest artists, this multi-faceted producer also contributed his smooth and soulful beats to Mya’s forthcoming LP, even further illustrating his range of capabilities.
While creating music for others has given him a notable reputation, it’s actually writing and recording his own songs that Cory-Mo hopes to bring to the forefront. “People know me for my production more than rapping,” he explains. “But I’m a writer at heart because that’s what I started doing first. I’ve been rapping since I was in fifth grade, so I’ll forever be a writer.”
With the release of the third edition of Still Pay’N Due’z, his sixth official mixtape to date, he’s one step closer to shedding light on his primary talent. A follow up to Volumes I & II, and his DJ Smallz and Wally Sparks mixtapes, Still Pay’N Due’z III matches an all-star lineup with Cory-Mo’s seasoned style. Verse after verse, C-Mo holds his own alongside heavyweights like Pimp C, Bun B, Z-Ro, Big Pokey, Lil Keke and more. Playlist standouts include “Neighborhood” and “Break It Down” (exclusive album tracks), “Top Drop Dyne” ft. UGK (rock version), as well as a few remakes to familiar industry beats. Inspiration for Cory-Mo’s music comes from studying the historical contributions of Dr. Dre, Outkast, Geto Boys, Kanye West, Pimp C, and Ice Cube, among others. Combining a respect for lyricism with a distinct down-south flavor, Cory-Mo has created an unmistakable sound characterized in singles like “Ain’t Nobody Trippin;” “It Ain’t Me” ft. Pimp C, Bun B, and Slim Thug; and “Obama 08,” a tribute song featuring Bun B, Chamillionaire, and Paul Wall. “Get Out the Way,” a highlighted single with Bun B on Static Selektah’s album, is quickly becoming an internet favorite with the recent video release.
In 2008, Cory-Mo was invited to accompany Bun B on a European tour that included stops in Amsterdam, Prauge, Norway, Finland, Barcelona, and Denmark. The tour not only opened a lot of doors for him, it also opened his mind to future expansion. A second location of M.A.D. studios was newly unveiled in Atlanta, where C-Mo and Mike-Mo are broadening their client base. Prospective plans entail further developing their other companies Endure Records and Hustle Brothaz Productions, while Cory-Mo concentrates on branding himself as an artist-slash-producer.
As for his full-length album debut, Cory-Mo believes patience is a virtue. “I don’t want to release my album [until the time is right] because I spent so much time on it and it’s so dear to me,” he reveals. “I don’t want to just put it out because it’s complete, I want to put it out when I’ve got a budget to market and promote it the way I know it should be done.” With years of experience and fresh motivation, Cory-Mo is steadily constructing a lifelong foundation. “I don’t want to be portrayed as a gimmicky one-hit-wonder,” he states. “I plan to have longevity by staying focused and business minded.”
