The name’s strong in Detroit: Moe Dirdee

Moe Dirdee, the Grind Time Now freestyle battle legend, and fresh Midwest hip-hop breakthrough is well-connected in Detroit.

“Who you know gets you in the door. What you know determines how long you stay there,” Moe says.

A web of creative masterminds connect Detroit’s hip-hop scene. The city is boiling with one of the most influential music communities in the nation, but has infamously lacked to expose its talent due to an absence of industry.

This web includes Motown heavy-hitters such as the late Proof, Blackface, Calicoe, and J-Nutty (Rock Bottom Entertainment), Big Herk, Stretch Money, Miz Korona, Marv Won, Quest MCODY, Nick Speed, and Black Milk (the list goes on). All of who know Moe personally.

The Lush nightclub (Joseph Campau and Caniff St, in Hamtramck) introduced Moe to a priceless list of Detroit artists that have determined his successful stretch of collaborations.  Since those days, Moe (once known as Moet) has released countless compilations, mixtapes, and singles – boasting some of Detroit’s finest lyrical work.

“I came after the Obies (Obie Trice) and the Ems (Eminem) and D12,” Moe said. “They were already established. They would just come back to keep tabs on what was going on in Detroit hip-hop.”

“Dirdee Moetown: The Mixtape,” released in February 2010, showcases Moe’s verbal skills, as well as his serious professional relationships with some of the hardest hip-hop artists in Detroit since Blade Icewood passed.

On “Never Bold”, a track featuring Yung Yak (produced by Squire), Moe and Yak destroy a haunting beat-rendition of the Pac-Man video game theme.

“Only me and Proof knows … Bitch, I’m a dog. I am Detroit’s Cujo,” Moe says on the track. (Cujo being a reference to Stephen King’s classic killer dog tale.)

“Hello,” featuring John Drama (produced by Killem’All) pays homage to Lionel Riche’s “Hello.” The anthem presents chilling organ stabs and proclamations of greatness. Moe Dirdee fails to disappoint.

Nick Speed, (producer of the recently released Lloyd Banks single, “Home Sweet Home,” featuring Push-T) and Black Milk, (famed Detroit producer associated with J-Dilla, Pharoahe Monche, Elzhi and Royce da 5’9” – and winner of DetroitRap.com’s 2010 “Album of the Year” Award) both produced tracks for the 21-song album.

M.O.E (Mark of Excellence), also released in 2010, brought forth a new Detroit anthem. “You Don’t Belong in Detroit” (produced by Chanes), stands as the heaviest-hitting single from the album.

The hailing organs and epic horn accompaniment showcase Moe’s abilities — and boasts a video directed by Gerard Victor productions (associate of Black Milk, Elzhi, and Illite).

The video “You Don’t Belong in Detroit” was shot after Moe’s brief jail sentence following the album’s release. The video encompasses Moe’s unique style, as he is known to don Cartier sunglasses and old-school Tiger’s gear, such as Briggs Stadium and Kirk Gibson T-shirts.

Moe’s career is not limited to studio work. His appearances on grindtimenow.com, The world’s largest hip-hop battle league, have exposed his ability to channel his own rhythms, high energy and intricate poetry into the most informal of venues.

“I stepped into the battle portal purposefully, because I wanted to see how well my battle blend, and the mixture of the way I make my music, would match against other emcees,” Moe said. “The majority of these motherfuckers can’t make songs. They just battle rap.”

The popularity of Moe Dirdee’s work has given him a platform to showcase himself and others at a monthly event known as “The Moe Show.” Hosted at the Bullfrog Bar and Grill in Redford, the stage is set for battles, performances and was even used to host Moe’s celebrity-filled birthday party on Oct. 27.

Among his respected colleagues, one strikes particularly close to Detroit’s heart. Proof, member of D12, close friend of Eminem and a late hip-hop legend of Motown.

“If I had only one dollar, and he had one dollar,” Moe said of Proof. “Then we both had a couple dollars in our pocket. We used to do everything together.”

Moe reminisces of times shared with the late emcee, explaining nights at the office when Proof would order late-night food.

“He would strategically place hot sauce on the bottom of the pizza … it would kick our asses,” laughed Moe.

Moe Dirdee can be found at www.Grindtimenow.com (battle videos), www.Detroitrap.com, www.Urltv.tv/videos (Ultimate Rap League), Facebook, and MySpace.