Meet Javonn (JV) Moore of AmBazZ Records in Cobb County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Javonn (JV) Moore.

Javonn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So, when I was a little child, I was told that I was quiet, but when music came on I would come alive. My mom had me singing in the choir at church when I was as young as I can remember. She used to tell me that the members of the church didn’t know I could talk, but my mouth would be wide open when it came time to sing the song that Sunday morning. Even though I was always singing in some type of choir or chorus, my love for music began when I first heard Michael Jackson (like most kids), I had never seen someone perform like he did and his music always cause me to get up and dance. I think at some point, every kid wanted to be the next Michael Jackson. Then, after that phase, there was something that caught my ear and still has it, the first time I heard rap music, it was like a combination of crazy sounds and storytelling on top of those sounds. Rap to me was like painting movie scenes of pictures with words that could only be expressed through experience. I quickly gravitated to more hip hop and rap songs than the pop & r&b songs. I remember battle rapping against my older brother and he would always lose. The first rap album I got, was for my birthday: Nas’s Stillmatic.

As much as I loved rapping, I also loved the beats that rappers would rap on top of, really complimented and help get their message across. My favorite producers were Pharrell & Timbaland, both of them being from Virginia like myself made me believe I could create my own sound like them. Fast forward several years later into my high school days, I would find myself making beats on my iPhone 3GS, freestyling over them, & leading worship at my local church. Music had always been apart of my life, but it was just a hobby for me. I would think about doing it full time or as a career, but could never picture myself rapping on a stage, but I could picture myself making beats and being in the room with these rappers who I looked up to. So, I go to college (Winston-Salem State University) and while I’m in college I start making beats with some different sounds and a lot of synthesizers and all of sudden I meet two guys who say they like pop music and they like my sound we should work together. So we did, we would record in my dorm room almost every weekend. After 2 semesters we had completed an EP “The Mind of OK” (never was released).

My last 2 semesters I met another guy, but he was a rapper and he liked some of my more hip hop production, but still with a different sound to it. We recorded several pieces as well but never were able to complete a project because I graduated that following year and went back home to stay with my parents in Georgia. We could never seem to link up anymore to record after that. Even though neither one of my college partnerships were successful in releasing a project, it helped me grow and create my own sound. All these years something in me has always wanted to produce music, write music, just create music, I get this silly idea of maybe starting a label. I mean I know so many musically talented people and people evidently like some of my different sounds & styles. I’m still afraid and unsure. I find it funny that the older generation wants me to sing, my friends say I’m the best freestyler, & I just want to make beats, then God says to start a record label.

Has it been a smooth road?
I wish it was a smooth ride, but I was always told anything worth having is worth working for. I understand now that anything that your building if you want it to last it’s going to take a long time to build and of course a lot of hard work. I feel like I’m built for this journey and the journey is still building me. Some of the struggles along the way for me were just self-doubt in what I was producing and the fact that it had a different sound to it, made me even doubt if others would like it or if what I was producing would be marketable or profitable. The other struggle for me was finding the right artist to compliment my sound, but even more so someone that could be as committed to creating the music as much as me. It would appear every time I would get close to thinking I found the right artist, something would happen where it would fall through. Whether the communication would cease or the physical distance would become a problem. Now, I just make music because that’s what gives me life and I don’t know how to live without creating it. And instead of waiting on the “right” artist, I decided to just work with multiple on releasing my debut album Tunnel Music.

We’d love to hear more about your music.
I started a record label called AmBazZ Records back in 2017 in hopes to build a brand that represents quality music with substance and that connects with one’s soul. A label where musicians and artist have creative freedom in their work. Right now, I’m intentionally focusing on the music production side and getting ready to revamp my website to start leasing & selling some instrumentals. I’m also in collaboration with other talented writers to offer some written songs for sale as well on my website. The thing I’m most proud of as a company is just building momentum to get things off the ground. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see work begin…” Zech 4:10 What sets us apart from other record labels is the freedom in the artist’s creativity.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Of course, Atlanta is thriving with many opportunities for African American entrepreneurs. Atlanta has a lot of opportunities for the arts and entertainment industry and is becoming more popular for other talents to not only do business but to live. I would definitely recommend someone who is starting out in the entertainment industry to just jump and dive all the way in and see how much you grow and what type of feedback and connections that can be made.

Pricing:

• $50 leasing for .mp3 & .wav formats, $150- $200 for unlimited leases, $350-$550 on exclusives

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ambazzrecords.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @ambazz23
• Twitter: @ambazz23

Image Credit:
Abigail Pope for photos, Jason White for the album cover, Justin Hardin for logo

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