Maurice is a talented R&B artist with a sultry voice and the looks to back it up.  This rising star already has tracks on movie soundtracks: The Protector, Derailed, and Afro Samurai.  With his highly celebrated single “Baby” and his debut solo album in the works, Maurice is well on his way to becoming a top selling industry artist.  CORE sat down with Maurice to discuss how he began his journey in the music industry.

CORE:  What made you decide to do music?

Maurice:  Well I started out singing in the Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist church choir when I was 5 years old, but it wasn’t until after Hurricane Marilyn that I really began to look at music as a career.  It was hard since my parents wanted me to become a doctor but I was able to convince them and I ended up applying to Hamilton , a well known performing arts high school in L.A. Before I left St. Thomas Tri-Storm was actually the first set of people to say I have what it takes to succeed.  So for that I have the utmost loyalty to the whole Tri-Storm Entertainment clique.  They really helped me start out on this whole journey, and up to this day, Topaz still puts me in situations to meet people who can help my career. 

CORE:  How was your experience at Hamilton?

Maurice:  Going to Hamilton was a great experience because there I had a lot of competition musically.  Everyone there was talented, so I was able to learn from all.  Some of the people I went to school with have become really successful, artists like Omarion and actors like Tyler Pratt, to name a few.

CORE:  What happened after graduating from Hamilton?

Maurice:  Well I interned for Sony Music for a while but I didn’t tell anyone there that I did music since I wanted to build relationships and learn the industry first.  I actually met my manager Je Carlone who also manages the Riza (of the Wu-Tang Clan) incidentally at a gym in LA.  He overheard me talking about my music so he asked me for my demo and liked it.  He was able to plug me in with various influential people.  Before I knew it, I was working with producers like Mike Biardy who has done stuff for Faith Evans, Chingy and Snoop Dogg.  He produced the track “Baby” which caught the ear of Quentin Tarentino. 

CORE:  When it comes to the feel of your music what do you look for in a track?

Maurice:  I want my sound to be fresh.  When my song comes on the radio I want people to know that’s Maurice.  I don’t want them to confuse my single with someone else because we worked with the same big name producer.  So I prefer to look for tracks from quality producers who are just as talented but they just haven’t gotten their first big hit yet.  I actually got some great tracks from James Gittens who is out of St. Thomas that I have begun to record lyrics over.

CORE:  How has this journey been for you?

Maurice:  Overall I really am enjoying my journey.  I’ve been out here since 1998, it takes a lot of hard work but I have such a solid team behind me right now that I’m looking forward to the future because God puts you in situations and he just keeps opening doors for you.  I’m a firm believer that when you are meant to meet someone it’s going to happen when it is meant to happen.

CORE:  Any advice for young artists?

Maurice:  Don’t take anything personal because you are going to hear a lot of NOs so develop tough skin and be honest with yourself.  Also Work hard and put yourself in the right environment for success.  Most importantly stay grounded.  All might not apply to everybody because everyone’s journey will be different but that’s what I have learned.