David Moore, also known as Da King of Hearts, first began rapping when he heard the song Too Legit To Quit by MC Hammer when he was just 3 years old and 17 years later, he has certainly not quit.
I can't even really explain it but that song was so catchy to me
I would sing it in front of a mirror verbatim at 5 years old Moore said. Since then I was always rapping or getting on stage including singing with the school choir or in a school play.
A native of Cleveland, Moore's early influences were his dad's hip hop, funk and soul records, but as he grew older and began honing his own tastes, he gravitated toward artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Ludacris.
When performing in middle school and high school, Moore's rap style had more of a thuggish edge but he soon realized he needed to alter that part of his style.
It wasn't me; I couldn't keep up with that
Moore said. I'm not the selling dope
big guns kind of kid. I'm the skinny kid with glasses thicker than a telescope answering questions in the front of the class. At that point I started rapping things kids my age were more accustomed to
like schoolwork and the girls I like.
Moore began using his name Da King of Hearts at the end of high school when he wore a hat to his prom that had a king of hearts playing card in the bill, and the name stuck.
When he came to Ohio University in 2006, however, Moore put his past aside and got involved with events at Hip Hop Congress as well as the bi-monthly rap battles at The Hip Hop Shop. One of the goals of his rhymes, Moore said, was to expose more people to hip hop.
I think more people need to explore it; there are a lot of talented rappers out there
and we don't get as much love and respect as the rock scene does here in Athens
Moore said.
One of the places that shows tremendous love with their hosting of the Hip Hop Shop is The Union. When people think of The Union
people think of heavy metal and punk but they are so kind to us. ... I wish more people were like them and would open up their doors to hip hop.
Moore's debut album, The Dummy, drops on May 27. The album can be downloaded for free online, and Moore will hand out free copies at his shows. Coincidentally, the album's release date is also Moore's 21st birthday.
I will be giving away the album for free. ... but I like rum and cokes
Moore said. That will be a beautiful day: you could break my leg and I will still be smiling.
