Taylor: Growing up in a family of recording artists and experiencing your first release as a youth with your family, how has Gospel music evolved in your opinion since the time you first entered the scene?

J Moss: Being in this music for now than 30 years and coming from a long line of gospel recording artists such as my parents Bill & Essie Moss, and of course my aunt Mattie Moss Clark and my cousins, The Clark Sisters, it’s like being on the "in-side – looking out." Technology is a major factor that has become a big asset because it has evolved so much. Back in the day, if you had a five-piece band, that was all you needed but now with the advent of the systems and programs like Pro-Tools, you can take your music to a higher plane and can move in areas similar to the trends in secular music, almost like closing the gap between the two. Then, when you look at the state of the world and the times we now live, and when we look to the future, we have to embrace our youth by adapting some of the things familiar to them just to get their ear. With the advantages and features of internet and the new opportunities in television, there are just more things and ways to expand the message. The youth are tuned into that type of thing. It’s a perfect means to reach them. "Technology"

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Taylor: You found great success with your last project "The J Moss Project", which still is unquestionably one of my favorite projects, what is your vision for this upcoming project?

J Moss: Well, to do a second project is a real blessing and I thank God daily for allowing me to find my niche. That my music is embraced by "a Verity" and "a Gospo Centric" is just awesome! It’s really more about my whole team. PAJAM is building a brand of "feel good" music that hears the bodacious call of the Lord. We all have to take Gospel "by force." We have to go for what we know! I thank God for using me to make a difference. You must be called and God has given me and my crew (PAJAM) a specific assignment that is specifically for this day & time. He has chosen not just me, but PAJAM to bring a new presence to His music and I just thank Him for blessing me with the talent, knowledge, and favor he bestows daily on each of us to get the job done! It’s all about being in the right place at the right time and being in the will of God at that point and time. I have learned to cling more to God and know this is something that He commissioned us to do.

Taylor: What artists do you think are making a difference in moving Gospel to a higher visibility and why?

J Moss: I think everybody is coming up. The more good music there is, the more radio & TV must embrace it. Everybody dares to be different which is good, Tye is Tye, Kirk is Kirk, Fred is Fred. Everybody makes the machine run. All have stepped up the game and that’s the difference. With the expanded opportunities and the high tech components available, God has equipped us with the tools we need to continue to propel His Word through music. Everybody is just doing what they do and everybody is just really doing their own thing. Collectively, there’s a lot of power there, without question.

Taylor: Do you think the fact that Christian hip hop is growing in popularity is a result of the visibility brought on by mainstream hip-hop artists such as Kanye West, DMX, and Will Smith to name a few?

J Moss: Yes & no. I don’t think the "Jesus Walks" style song was that much of a boost for Christian Hip-Hop. I think it is more directly related to the newer breed of artists such as 21:03, IROC & Cross Movement. I think these guys are standing firmly on their own feet. Bobby Jones & TBN has helped to give them a much larger visibility. God is opening doors and is now allowing the style to flourish and reach places that it had not previously penetrated. The entire movement has gained a great deal of notoriety and success over the past few years and will undoubtedly continue as time goes on because as technology changed in the past, and is still improving today. It will only continue to improve as we move forth into our future. Gospel music is firmly becoming the sound of the times and mainstream audiences are now embracing it in so many ways. The plays, the movies, TV, radio, even in the print media, the genre is one of music’s fastest emerging styles. It’s all about the music. It is a perfect way to promote something positive. So many of these secular and mainstream artists actually have strong connections to their spirituality and are more comfortable in sharing that fact with others. Hip-Hop is Hip-Hop, Gospel Hip-Hop is Gospel Hip-Hop. The two are different because one is the Word of the Lord. That’s the difference.

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Taylor: With the momentum that Gospel now enjoys, in your eyes, what areas still has room for improvement and how can it be improved?

J Moss: I want to see more of a collaboration of ministries, a more unified effort. I thank God for Kirk Franklin who decided to be different by incorporating the use of fellow artists such as Rance Allen and Dorinda on his project. People need to see more of Smokie Norful & J Moss together or Fred Hammond & Tye Tribbett. Not only has Kirk used us (fellow artists) on his recordings, he will call and invite you to come join him if he’s close by. Ministries come together for the cause. The people love it! There is strength in numbers you know. Budgets are the main hold back. It takes a lot to produce a ticket like that but its great when it happens. What PAJAM is trying to do is connect the dots in the complete picture. Not just in our music but through our vision as well. Just to take a look at the state of the world and tailor a plan to give us all a little more hope. Just to be able to inspire others to go on. Collaborations can make a big difference. I’ll say it again, there is strength in numbers!

Taylor: With the renewed climate of the genre today, what do you see for the future of gospel music?

J Moss: At the end of the day, Gospel needs to keep its conviction and passion, but mainly be careful to protect its identity. Many desire to go mainstream with their music, for whatever reasons, and sometimes become so absorbed in making it happen, that they forget about what their primary purpose really is. We must be careful not to lose the true flavor of Gospel or our focus. When people want to hear Usher, they should hear Usher. When they want a "We Must Pray," that’s what they need. It is our responsibility but, we must be careful not to present music that is just a watered-down version of R & B. When people want Gospel, that’s what they want. With the world situations of the day, you don’t know what a person is in need of so it’s our responsibility as Gospel artists to provide something they can hold on to and draw inspiration. It’s called, "Gospel.

Taylor: In closing, give me a bit of that "J. Moss knowledge" to encourage aspiring artists and others in the ministry of Gospel music.

J Moss: We should always be careful to represent who we are and who we represent. With the steady growth in the platform that radio & TV provides, the playing field has widened tremendously. There are so many ways for us ministers to share God’s word. Again, as technology continues to development, so will our opportunities. All of this only allows us to be able to bless the body of Christ in a more perfect way. Still, we must remain diligent. We just need to continue doing what we do and allow God’s hand to guide us through the growth process. It’s very comfortable climate in Gospel music today. We are living in an exciting time and it’s only going to get better! I sincerely believe that! The future looks very promising. "I‘m very excited about all of the things God has in store for us!" It’s all about being in the will of God at that point and time. God has commissioned us all with a job to do. He’s got our backs! In return, we should always strive to have His.

For more information on J. Moss at www.jmossmusic.com

This year’s activity has taken on the theme "Taking You Higher" and with the confirmed talent, it’s predicted to do just that!