How many legendary Boston rappers can you name? Probably three or less, because that’s how many there are.  And don’t even think about trying to include anyone from NKOTB in that list.  With all that said, how does a young rapper go about not only making a name for himself, but also a name for his genre in a city that’s been unreceptive to hip hop? Just ask Roxbury native Moufy.

It starts with being local, and a product of your environment. Living in Roxbury for his entire life, Moufy has witnessed the violence and poverty his neighborhood is all too often associated with. But instead of following the status quo and taking his part in those societal sores, Moufy rose above through music. Once he became so established as to have a pedestal to give back from, he did. Volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club and giving Pro Bono concerts to non-profits designed to benefit children are just two activities on his charitable resume.

It’s pretty apparent that Boston runs through his veins, but it doesn’t stop there; each and every one of Moufy’s songs shouts out to his native city, whether through sports teams, neighborhoods, or memories. He’s even gone so far as to name his fan base Star Gang, telling us that the only qualification for membership is that you reach for the stars in whatever you do.

Moufy’s made a sizeable dent in the regional hip hop scene only a few years into his career, and for now it’s looking like he might be the next in a line of few to put Boston hip hop on the map. Catch the interview above to hear more about his story, and check out the other videos in the playlist to watch him perform “Twist it and Light it” and “Boston Lights.”

-Aidan Rush

“Boston Lights” | “Twist It & Light It”

Recorded: December 14th, 2011 at Strewnshank Studio in Charlestown, MA

Recording engineered & mixed by: Chris Thomas & Joe Mahoney

Video directed by: Chris Thomas & Joe Mahoney

Video edited by: Chris Thomas & Joe Mahoney