Today we’d like to introduce you to Kawan Moore.
Hi Kawan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Kawan Moore, and I am better known as Hommeboy. I am a music artist and performing artist, and I have performed at Afropunk Fest, Art Basel, A3C Festival, High Museum of Art, Soho House, and more. I also produce events and have worked with many Festivals, brands, and emerging and established artists.
I grew up in the suburbs of Gwinnett County around all kinds of people. My family moved me from New Jersey to metro-Atlanta when I was in Kindergarten. Growing up in Atlanta – a boiling hub of culture and beautiful, electric and eclectic blackness and queerness – was really icing on the cake for my dreams of pursuing music and being my most realized version of myself.
Music has always been my heart and biggest passion. I’ve been rapping since I was eight years old – wrote my first whole song with three verses and a mean hook and chorus. Fast forward 20 years later, and I’m 10,000 hours in and counting.
I grew up seeing my dad write every day because he is also a songwriter and rapper. Go back one more generation, and my grandfather was the lead vocalist and guitar player in a rhythm and blues band (that actually went on tour). So, it was in my blood to write and entertain.
I always loved music, and I always loved school. English was my favorite subject, and I loved learning new words and mastering wordplay. I used to rap on the morning announcements in elementary school. I was known for it by my teachers and other students. And I realized at a young age that I can use my smarts and my music to change the world and make an impact.
When I was 13, I opened for John Legend and Patti LaBelle at the Philips Arena.
In high school, I attended Grayson High School in Gwinnett County, and I was in a viral video called “Brookwood Where You At”. That video helped me pay for part of my college tuition and dorm at Georgia State University – where I studied hospitality.
I left school after a couple of years and went on to producing events and festivals, working with 787 Windsor as Creative Director (previously home of Afropunk, Red Bull Culture Clash, and more). I worked to develop that space from a 3-acre abandoned warehouse in the West End to a bubbling hub of culture. This connected me deeply into the Atlanta creative scene.
Since then, I’ve worked independently in the creative scene working with artists, venues, and brands as a cultural architect and professional dot connector. Even starting my own event series called FRIENDS100 – a pop-up event series uniting 100+ cultural influencers, musicians, artists, and changemakers of ATL (2018-2020). It was always my desire to unite and build community.
Never losing sight of my bigger dream of performing and making music, I continued to sharpen my skills in related creative fields. But I am happy to take all that I’ve learned over the years and applying it to being a better artist. I am back performing and continuing my pursuit of music and pop stardom.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road is relative, lol. I feel like I’m always hitting a pothole, but I know those are all a part of the ride and nothing comes easy. To whom much is given, much is required, right? Now I’m enjoying the bumpiness of the ride. And I’m learning there’s a different level of sacrifice at every level you get to – whether that’s time, relationships, money, or whatever.
Personally, some struggles were internal like self-doubt or fear. Others were external like financial, or a global pandemic, or having these big ideas that I don’t have all the resources or money for yet. But the best part of this journey is to keep going, and then to make it to the end.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My name is Kawan Moore, and I am better known as Hommeboy. I am a music artist and performing artist, and I have performed at Afropunk Fest, A3C Festival, High Museum of Art, Soho House, and more.
I am known for being a music artist, a cultural architect, and a professional dot connector.
My first music project was called “FUNKWITME” (2017) and made a bit of a splash because I was rapping to house and electronic music. That EP allowed me to perform at stages like Afropunk, A3C Festival, Soho House, the High Museum, Atlanta Contemporary, and more.
I have started releasing new music, including my latest singles “What We Want (WWW)” and “This One”.
I am also known for creating music videos and photoshoots, so I’m excited to create and release more content around these upcoming releases. I have directed videos and photoshoots for myself and other artists.
I have been featured in Atlanta Magazine, Paper Mag, i-D, and more.
I am most proud of never stopping, and continuing on my voyage and journey. I am proud of paying my bills and living my life through creative endeavors. I am also proud of being a good and genuine person and attracting good and genuine people and opportunities because of this.
What sets me apart has always been my ability to flow and attract, and create opportunities where they didn’t exist before. And I hope to continue to do so until the day that I die.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Start somewhere – anywhere. Just start. Believe in yourself. Take big risks. Have faith. Love people and your community. Think different. Think bigger. Be gentle and patient with yourself. Travel, and bring what you learn back to Atlanta.
Contact Info:
- Email: heyhommeboy@gmail.com
- Website: https://hommeboy-duid.onuniverse.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/homme.boy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hommeboy123 OR https://www.facebook.com/kawanmoore54
- Twitter: twitter.com/heyhommeboy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC028jQd31ATLHWDQ9GIQ54A/videos
- SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/heyhommeboy
Image Credits:
Ben Rollins (@benrollins.co) Brandon Polack (@brandonpolack) Christian Cody (@christian__cody) Pierre Pastel (@pierrepastel) Sarah Marie Mayo (@cameraobscureinc)
