·February 18, 2024·2 min read

“War Tapes: 1942”, by MOCC: Powerful hip-hop, excellent execution

Nashville-based hip-hop artist MOCC delves into the complexities of war with his latest project, “War Tapes: 1942 Mixtape.” Released in January 2023, the mixtape explores various aspects of war through its eight tracks, showcasing MOCC’s growth as an artist and willingness to tackle deeper themes. Keep reading for my thoughts!

Each track takes on a distinct personality, offering fresh experiences with varied themes. MOCC approaches each song with apparent dedication and passion, bringing a raw energy to his delivery. Particularly noteworthy is “Shell Shock,” which resonated deeply with its poignant lyrics and immersive beats.

As a big fan of old-school, sampling-heavy hip-hop, the production of “War Tapes:1942” struck a chord quite deep in me, as a notable aspect of the mixtape is the extensive use of voice samples, which create a distinct atmosphere and further immerse the listener in the war theme. Additionally, the production leans heavily on classic boom-bap sounds, reminiscent of old-school hip-hop, which helped cement an even more solid atmosphere.

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“Finest Hours” and “Artillery” exemplify MOCC’s ability to paint vivid pictures with his words, addressing societal issues within the context of war. His thought-provoking lyrics and captivating storytelling create a great narrative, unafraid to delve deep into topics conventionally considered off-limits for musicians in modern radio; and I was left a huge fan.

MOCC’s lyricism and rhyming take on a whole different take, seamlessly alternating between ad-lib-laden verses with two-tracked vocals, further powering the tracks on the album, especially apparent on “Shell Shock”, and on this particular track, the downtempo, darker sound only adds to a more powerful experience; ending with the hard-rock part that felt like a very tasteful addition more than anything else.

The production on this alum is par excellence; with the sampling work and the creative mixing decisions being alluded to earlier; there is wide variety in the sound design on this album. Every decision feels meticulous, well-engineered, and above all, supremely well executed. The mix and master envelop you in a glowing rush of energy, with the dynamics being expertly handled to keep the attention on MOCC’s storytelling.

MOCC’s fearless dive into the depths of human experiences continues to captivate audiences, making this mixtape a compelling addition to Nashville’s hip hop scene– and for the whole of hip-hop in general; because, let’s be real, hip-hop was born out of necessity, as a soapbox for the unvoiced opinion; and “War Tapes:1942” cherishes and adds to the glory of that narrative.

Check out “War Tapes:1942” here!