“Hopefully this song helps put a halt to the idea that you’re not worthy, nor beneficial because your dreams haven’t come into fruition yet. Keep going!” – Mood
“Discovering” is a series of interviews introducing you to essentially “undiscovered” music artists you are now discovering here! Included with the series is a playlist featuring the “Discovering” artists music which is available on Spotify and Apple Music (linked at the end of the interview).
Discover Mood as we discuss lessons at 25, being 26, and time travel.
Daniel Moody A.K.A. Mood hails from Atlanta, GA, one of America’s music hotspots. It only makes sense that Mood has remained in his hometown, the place that also raised one his musical influences, Outkast’s André 3000. When I asked him who will be on his Apple Music ”Influences” playlist in addition to 3 Stacks, Mood listed other artists with eclectic style including Solange and Tierra Whack. Based on his influences it’s clear the kind of artist Mood is and strives to be. It’s also evident in his visual for his newly released single, ”Twenty-Six”.
”Twenty-Six” is Mood’s debut release. The very relatable catchy single dropped on February 6th and the music video on February 12th. When I saw the music video I immediately thought, ”OMG, this is genius!”. Mood is dressed as a clown at his 26th birthday party as he looks into the camera and sings the words, ”Thought I’d have some kids and be real happy that’s a bonus, maybe if I had it all my mood would be real honest”, these words are actually why he’s dressed as a clown. When I asked him what the idea behind the video was he said, ”The idea came from looking and feeling like a clown LOL. We really thought that we would be married, have a house, a dog, and some kids by that age?”. Mood continued, ”…we’ve been conditioned from grade school that by 25, our lives should be settled and perfect. That’s false. Your timing and God’s timing are two different timings. So I decided to dress up as a clown, do a messy yet creative party set, and sing about the trials of becoming 26.” That’s what makes Mood’s song ”Twenty-Six” so relatable and needed.
Being someone in their mid 20s, I can attest as well as all of my friends that it’s a difficult age range to navigate. But, the truth is, we’re just making it more difficult than it should be. It’s actually a great stage to be in. Mood was right, we’re conditioned to believe we’re suppose to have it all figured out but that just isn’t true. We’re in a sweet spot, we’re still young which means we still have plenty of time to figure things out like for example, changing career plans. At 25, Mood realized he wanted to pursue a music career. See how sweet that is? Love that for him!
Watch the visual for Mood’s debut single, ”Twenty-Six”.
Read Mood’s interview below.
Everything GOOD: What inspired the name Mood?
Mood: My last name is Moody, so I just figured “Mood” would be the perfect stage name. It’s not too much and it’s settled and a bit mysterious.
EG: How old were you when you realized creating music was something you wanted to pursue?
M: Literally at 25 LOL. Isn’t that crazy? People feel like their calling/ purpose is supposed to slap them in the face at 18. Sometimes God will remind you that his timing and your purpose can happen at any given moment.
EG: Getting older is hard, especially the mid to late 20s is a tough stage to be in and it’s nice to have a song to relate to and validate the feelings that come with being in that age range. How did writing “Twenty-Six” come about, was there a specific moment that sparked the idea?
M: Twenty-Six came about when I was just up late one night. I heard the beat beforehand and I gave it some time before I wrote it. I’ve always loved artists who were vulnerable and able to capture me into their world, so right now my world is in my mid 20’s and still figuring out how to navigate this thing called life. No one talks about it, they just gloss over it and expect you to be financially secured by 25. But, hopefully this song helps put a halt to the idea that you’re not worthy, nor beneficial because your dreams haven’t come into fruition yet. Keep going!
EG: This is your debut single, were there other songs that you had written that you thought about releasing as your debut?
M: Yes. You’ll hear it soon!
EG: I love the music video! Where did the idea for it come from and what was the creative process for it?
M: The idea came from looking and feeling like a clown LOL. We really thought that we would be married, have a house, a dog, and some kids by that age? Now to the ones who have accomplished all of those things, could y’all tell us the secret? Lol no but seriously we’ve been conditioned from grade school that by 25, our lives should be settled and perfect. That’s false. Your timing and God’s timing are two different timings. So I decided to dress up as a clown, do a messy yet creative party set, and sing about the trials of becoming 26. Shoutout to all my clowns out there!
EG: What has been your favorite age so far and why?
M: Right now I’m living it. I’m finally starting to say “no” to things that I can’t take on anymore. I’m finally forgiving people who’ve hurt me and also forgiving myself for those that I’ve hurt. I’m starting to travel this year. I’m also finally pushing myself out there creatively as an artist. I’m betting on myself more, and I’m letting go of those who serve me no purpose without adding the hate and beef aspect. I just finally feel like I can elevate in 26. Don’t get me wrong my previous ages were nice too because I’ve survived so much, but those years had to be what they were in order for me to get here. Shout out to years 1-25!
EG: This is just a fun question, if you had to time travel to the future, what age would you travel to and why?
M: 30… most of you guys’ favorite artists didn’t start hitting it off until their late 20’s- early 30’s. 30 isn’t old. 30 is the new 20’s, and you start to have a clear understanding as to who you are as a person.
EG: What artists will be on your Apple Music “Influences” playlist?
M: Andre 3000, Tierra Whack, Solange, Tyler The Creator, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tobe Nwigwe, Tank and The Banagas, Beyoncé, Choker. I’m going to stop there because I can keep going, but they just do it for me you know? They get it. The visuals, the lyrics, the world building. They. Get. It.
EG: Looking back at age 25, what was the biggest lesson you learned or a transformative moment that makes you a better version of yourself now at 26?
M: Not everyone deserves your story. People can be cool, fun, amazing, and very polite buuuutttt they might not be a good person. Stop minimizing your boundaries for someone else’s disrespect in your life (this was a paraphrase of a tweet). Just because they forgive you, doesn’t mean that they’ll allow you access into their space again (this also goes vice versa). You’re the villain in someone’s story, just ignore them and heal for yourself.
EG: What can we expect next from Mood?
M: More music and visuals because people actually like it LOL. Also leverage because I want to see more black people in positions that we are more than qualified to be in. We have stories. We have voices. We’ve been the outcast (sometimes by our own people). Those are the people I want to continue to gravitate towards. Those who get it and work hard so they can flourish change their families trajectory forever.
Follow Mood on Instagram @whoismood_
