Homegrown Romance: Queer Raptress, Yani Mo, on ATL's Creative Excellence

Arts

Nov 5

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To get a glimpse into the roots and future of Atlanta soul music, look no further than Yani Mo.

Yani Mo is a singer-songwriter, rapper and silver-smooth vocalist from Lithonia, GA. Rooted in the South’s history of hip-hop, R&B, rap and jazz, Yani slips seamlessly between the roles of poet and storyteller. She operates between the space of an old soul, a vessel of wisdom, and uncaged free spirit, a symbol of strength, sensitivity and liberation. Mundane moments, in her hands, become the catalyst for reflection and self-defining catharsis. She takes the emotional grandeur of life and boils it down into simple and witty lyrics, both matter-of-fact and earnest.

We had the pleasure of asking her about her creative process, her Southern influence, and more.

PHOTOs: DEMETRIUS W

Your lyrics have this wonderful quality to them where the listener can completely empathize with you as you experience these profound moments in your life. There is an instant familiarity I feel with the stories in your work that allows me to easily tap into the emotional complexity and depth of the song. You also flex some linguistic muscle with your wordplay and vivid sensual imagery that elevates your music even further. What can you tell us about your writing process?

Wow. First, thank you! I’ve been telling people since I was a kid, I make music that I want to hear. So when it hits home and resonates with folks in such personal ways, i’m always grateful. And surprised, quite frankly.

My writing process always starts with an emotion. If there’s a certain feeling that’s been sitting with me--that I haven’t been able to shake, I have to get it out in writing. A lot of those feelings are love and relationship centered. Or nostalgic. Plenty of them are self-reflective, me contemplating my place in the world--my smallness. I’m very specific in my writing. I pull from events that I’ve experienced. Life is so fleeting, I guess I just like to immortalize certain moments and feelings in a real honest way.

What are some of your biggest influences for your sound?

My sound has evolved so much over the years. These days its so hard to pinpoint. But i’d be remiss if I didn’t mention TLC. Specifically Left Eye. Her life and music was such a huge inspiration to me when I first started creating and recording. And then there’s Outkast, Slum Village, J Dilla, and Nujabes. Brandy, India, Lauryn and Erykah. Bon Iver and Kings of Leon. Kirk Franklin, Michael Jackson. I could really go on. All have been super influential over the years.

Atlanta seems to play a central role in your songs, almost becoming a character in itself. You’ve been a staple in the Atlanta music scene for a while now. What does Atlanta, or perhaps the South at large, mean to you as an individual and also as an artist?

I like the way you put that. It really has become a character in itself. A lover in my own homegrown romance. I’m so thankful to be from here. Both my folks are from Ohio and sometimes I think how different everything could’ve been if they never moved down here. Atlanta is a very special place. I love how every side has a specific energy and culture to it. The South may not be the most “progressive” region yet somehow we were gifted this hub of booming creativity and Black wealth and excellence. Atlanta is constantly pushing the envelope and giving the world more to be in awe of. It’s so fucking dope to be a part of.

I’m gonna be far more than an Atlanta staple someday, but Lord knows I’m thankful I can say these are my roots.

What advice would you have to aspiring songwriters or rappers on the craft of writing?

Comparison is your worst enemy. Experiment. Be consistent. Fuck the numbers, do what you feel--authenticity goes a long way.

See Yani Mo Live in Fabnormal: Atlanta Queer Art Showcase at the Moxy Hotel on Friday, November 15th, presented by Rigel Gemini and Cameron Lee. Tickets available here.

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Nicholas Goodly is the writing editor of Wussy Magazine.

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