Houston, Texas, is home to a different breed of hip-hop, Swisha House. Swisha House was founded by Robert Davis, also know as DJ Screw.
Since the creation of Swisha House, three of the original members of the Screwed Up Click (the group that started Swisha House) have perished: DJ Screw, Fat Pat, and Big Hawk. Sadly, we must add a fourth name to this list. Kenneth “Big Moe” Moore died on Oct, 14 due to complications from a heart attack. He was 33.
Moore was born to Mack and LaShandra Moore on June 27, 1974, in Houston. The rapper grew up on the tough streets of Houston’s 3rd Ward. Located on the city’s southeastern side, it is a neighborhood riddled with poverty, crime and drug trafficking.
At an early age, he earned the nickname Big Moe because he was bigger than all the other kids. At the age of 12, he weighed 175 pounds; however he used his size to his advantage. He excelled at football and throwing the shot-put, but it was rapping and singing that was his calling. After high school, Moore went on to the University of Houston, where he obtained a degree in political science.
Just like several rappers in the Houston area, Big Moe started his career free-styling and making mix tapes for DJ Screw. In 2000, all his hard work paid off as he was signed to Wreck Shop Records. The same year, he released his first album titled The City of Syrup. This CD included the smash hit single Mann, which was supposed to be the response to Black Rob’s single Whoa.
In 2002, he released his second album, Purple World, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts. It featured the hit single Purple Stuff. In 2003 he released his third album Moe’s Life.
Big Moe was slated to appear in a cartoon series called Pablo and Victor, where he was going to play himself.
What made Moore’s lyrics different from other rappers was his ability to sing and rap about a gangster lifestyle and still sell records. His lyrics were very smooth compared to the abrasive lyrics of other rappers.
At the time of his death, he was working on his fourth album. No further details were released about it.