Mozzy Bares It All with New Album ‘Intrusive Thoughts’
Packing words of wisdom into his gritty street stories, Mozzy concerns himself the emotions that undergird life-or-death decisions. Analyzing the mental toll left by life in the streets, Mozzy shares INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, his new album. Spanning 18 tracks, the new album is a visceral, but ultimately uplifting document about memories that linger and scars that never fade, couching dense narrative lyricism into heatseeking NorCal bangers. The album dramatizes Mozzy’s journey toward inner peace, as he attempts to move forward from the memories of traumatic youth that flood back, even during his current life of luxury.
The follow-up to last year’s CHILDREN OF THE SLUMS, INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS swerves between emotional paeans like the Pitchfork-praised “NIGHTMARES” ft. Lil Poppa and ruthless anthems like “BLOOD DIAMONDS” ft. Peysoh and “KATTA CLIPS.” On songs like “KEEP CALLIN MY NAME,” the ghosts from Mozzy’s past speak directly to him, tempting him with substances as he fights the urge to revert to his past life, while “UNDER OATH” drips with the knowledge of the consequences of backsliding into a life of crime. “PAC PROUD” and “HELLA HYPHY” help position Mozzy as an heir to a rich West Coast musical tradition, combining rider music with deep lyricism and resonant themes. INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS is the result of hard-earned experience, with the fan-favorite single “10 PERCENT” reveling in luxury, while closing track “NO FABRICATION” harkens back to Mozzy’s recent prison sentence: “Can’t act like I ain’t seen enough, I’ve seen it all/Toilet connected to the sink, that’s where you clean your drawers/Lil’ ass cell closin’ in with them graffiti walls/Still ain’t buckled, standing tall/Salute the ones who beat the odds,” he spits.
Along with the album, Mozzy stars in the video for “WHO WANT WAR,” releasing at 1pm ET on Mozzy’s YouTube. The album highlight features a guest verse from Polo G, a kindred spirit of Mozzy’s who shares his ability to get to the moral heart of street narratives. Climbing atop a creeping piano instrumental, Mozzy and Polo lament the need for violence, even as they assure anyone who would challenge them that they will respond in a hurry. In the video, Mozzy and Polo G dig dee pin the trenches, posting up with their squadrons as they dare their opps to make the first move.
Featuring additional guest spots from EST Gee, Maine Muzik, Tsu Surf, and Mozzy’s faithful Sactown associates E Mozzy and Celly Ru, INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS is available everywhere via Mozzy Records / EMPIRE.
INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS continues Mozzy’s run as one of the most acclaimed and popular street rappers of his generation. He has earned two GOLD certifications from the RIAA as a lead artist–“Excuse Me” and “Sleep Walkin–and three more on his collaborations with Skylar Grey, Likybo, and $tupid Young. Mozzy earned mainstream recognition in 2018, when his song “Sleep Walkin” was featured in a pivotal scene in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther, and he earned a shout out from Kendrick Lamar in his Grammy Award acceptance speech. His street classic “Bladadah” placed #68 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best West Coast Rap Songs of All Time. Late last year, Mozzy teamed with Kalan.FrFr for the breezy LUCKY HER.
Today, Mozzy proves his community hero bonafides with the “Mozzarella Fella” pop-up in Los Angeles. A collaboration with Down North Pizzeria, a Philadelphia-based pizzeria renowned for its commitment to hiring individuals who have been previously incarcerated, and Larry Miller’s JUMP (Justice and Upward Mobility Project), “Mozzarella Fella” celebrates the release of INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, raises awareness for bail reform, and provides support for incarcerated individuals. The “Mozzarella Fella” pop-up happens today from 12-4pm PT at Bootleg Kev’s What Up Dough Pizza in Burbank, CA.