Morris Taylor, aka MoThoro, is back with another update on his Thorolyfe. Thorolyfe: Graduation is the third and final installation of the series (following Transition and Execution); it finds MoThoro dealing with everything from inconsistent friendships to the “pipe dream” stigma that plagues young hip hop hopefuls.
An LA native, rapper MoThoro is currently making his home in the Hampton Roads region; he graduated from Hampton University in spring 2018, and is on track to receive his MBA through the university’s post-graduate program in May. His music is a breath of fresh air, away from overpowering beats — he lets his voice become the focal point of his sound. Since the first Thorolyfe project, he has found a way to accentuate the melodies, while keeping the lyrical foundation that the original MoThoro fans know and love.
Like a true student of the game, MoThoro and the team at LFTFLD, his LA-based label, experimented with interchanging tempos and voice levels throughout the album to enhance the storytelling. Thorolyfe: Graduation finds MoThoro reuniting with Rasual, his LA brother and partner in the duo MnR, for the song “Buy 1 Get 1 Free.” Kai Ca$h of the mysterious Diddy-affiliated CYN crew also makes an appearance on the track, and a few other great guests show up with features elsewhere on the project.
The project shows us what it is like for a young man to leave the experimental phase of life and enter a phase where you are starting to become one with yourself, your wants, and your passions. No matter where you’re graduating from, it’s a joyous but difficult transitional moment. On Thorolyfe: Graduation, MoThoro gives us some pointers to take with us on our own journey. Here are a few:
For Myself
Taking control of my life right now
Steering wheel in my hand, going max speed
You can come along for the ride if you want
But you know you can’t hate from the backseat
Do it for yourself! During this journey called life, we often forget why we are passionate about certain things. The worst thing someone can do is let outsiders have a say in what path they choose to go down.
That’s Okay
Things change, people change, that’s okay
But to switch up on my niggas, that’s no way
Can’t let ego, money, fame get in the way
Stay solid! Friendships come and go but don’t let materialistic values cause your relationships to deteriorate. No matter how much money or clout you have, it will not matter after you are gone. What will your legacy be? The people who surrounded you will be the ones to tell the story. As long as you don’t let ego, money or fame interfere with what really matters, everything will be okay.
Talk to God
I’m not sure which way to go
I’m tired of waiting patiently
I’m tired of school
I’m tired of all my so-called friends being fake to me
There will be plenty of times when chasing your passion that you feel like giving up. Do people understand my vision? Am I wasting my time? When will my big break come? Those are just some of the questions that might cross someone’s mind at these moments, but staying grounded and strong in your faith goes a long way. The road is not easy, and the only person who will seem to be listening is God.
My Own Time
On my own time with no cosign
It ain’t happen overnight, it took a long time
Took baby steps on the way, with no long strides
There is no blueprint for your life. The best teacher is experience. There will be lots of failures and lots of self-doubt. Staying true to yourself and becoming a student of your craft will lead to success… but only on your time.
