A Talk With Willie "P Dub" Moore, Jr.

Willie Moore, Jr., aka “P Dub” and “Pretty Willie” to legions of fans in the world of Hip Hop, R&B and now, Urban Inspirational/Gospel music is back with new music and a movement that will inspire something new in you.  The St. Louis native and University of Mississippi grad came onto the music scene back in the 1990’s as a young man and in a sense grew up in the music industry.  He hit it big in this millennium with Hip Hop and R&B hits like “4 Walls” and “Lay Your Body Down.”  He’s had major record deals with Universal and Warner Bros. Records.  A while back, something came over him and everything changed. 

And now this married, father of two sons is bursting at the seams to bless the world, across religious beliefs and musical palettes with banging music and inspiring lyrics that bridge the gap between the church and his brand of urban gospel-soul saving music. 

I spoke with him recently in his St. Louis office and asked him point blank about his burgeoning ministry, his Young Fly and Saved movement (which boasts over 200,000 friends between the social networking sites myspace and Facebook), his new compilation CD, third major record deal and his life as a man on a mission to please God.  Here’s what he said.

HHI: You signed a record deal at a young age. How did that happen?
P Dub:  At age 12 a friend of mine knew of a studio and we decided to record some songs and it got the attention of French Jamz Records. We traveled the Midwest and gained a solid fan base. We sold a lot of records independently and I learned a lot.

HHI:  Why did you move from main stream hip hop into inspirational hip hop and urban gospel? 
P Dub: :  I have always had a call on my life.  What God predestined to be came out at this time in my life so I had no choice.  So it wasn't a hard decision.

My time spent in the business was and continues to be a learning experience….I plan to bring this to the KINGDOM and allow our generation to experience the liberty we have in Christ. We call it Kingdom Music. What Rock and Roll was to Blues, what Neo-Soul was to Soul, Kingdom Music is that very thing to the Gospel.  It’s going mainstream and will influence this generation of young leaders. I'm excited just thinking about it!

HHI:  What has been different about being on the inspirational/gospel side of the music business?
P Dub:  Like all music business ventures, it has its ups and downs, but I really haven't found any differences besides the fact that at the award shows there are no free drinks. LOL.  Honestly I'm having a ball doing what I'm called to do, to INSPIRE, INFLUENCE, AND UNITE.

HHI: You moved to LA for a while and then returned to St. Louis.  Why did you come back to “The Lou?”
P Dub: After signing with Warner Bros. Records, I moved my family out to Los Angeles.  After the deal was over I was able to take the money from the deal and buy a nice home for my family in St. Louis. I still have the luxury of having our studio in Los Angeles, so I commute.  My wife didn't like LA and we were ready to have kids.

HHI:  Who has been the greatest influence on your life and career?
P Dub:  Willie and Flora Moore, my mom and dad. When the world seems grim and I wanna run away, they remind me of my "grace gift" and how it has to be used for the glory of the Lord.  Last but not least, my son Khalil is my biggest fan and he is also on my Turning Point CD.


HHI: What kind of life did you have growing up in St. Louis?  Was it filled with music?
P Dub:  I was adopted at 3 months old to Willie and Flora. I had a great childhood. I never wanted for anything.  I grew up in Berkeley, Missouri, a sometimes rough suburb of St. Louis.  They placed a solid foundation around me, so no matter how far off the mark I got, I was always pulled back to the right place. My dad and mom sang around me and bought a piano for me at age 7 and I fell in love with music. My auntie, Louise Brown influenced me to go to church and I became active with the choir and ushering.

HHI: Last year you were licensed as a minister by your pastor, Dr. Freddie Clark of Shalom City of Peace Church in St. Louis.  What’s life like being a minister?
P Dub:  It’s a lot of responsibility and I thank Jesus everyday for the call that he put on my life. However, I wonder what it would be like to be a deacon. LOL. 

I honestly never desired to preach the Gospel.  I was more focused on the music, money and the ladies.  I'm often surprised at Jesus. Like WOW, he washed me clean!  I got in the process and Jesus did the work for me.  I ask anyone who is reading this to get in the process of holiness and Christ will put you in places you could never imagine, meet people you never thought you'd meet, and give you accolades you never even thought about.

HHI:  You say you want to bridge hip hop with the church.  How do you plan on doing that being that the church doesn't often view hip hop in the best light?
P Dub:  Kingdom Music will be the catalyst to bridge the gap.  However, it’s just a "commercial" for conversation.  Jesus filled the gap by placing himself in the middle of chaos and he was able to calm the storm after the rain. Jesus was resurrected after death.  And a lot of people didn't believe Christ because they couldn't see past there own perception of what they thought the savior was suppose to look like, act like or talk like. They didn't understand…And today, the Mature generation and the Young people don’t understand each other, but we have one thing in common, "Jesus."  The music draws millions of kids, and coincidently parents come out, and they get a chance to learn how this Kingdom Music is a tool that gets this generation back to "Home Base," the church.

HHI:  What's the "Young Fly and Saved Movement" about?
P Dub: Our mission is to Influence, Inspire and Unite all believers, no matter what age.

HHI: Young Fly And  Saved is also the title of your new Mix-Tape compilation CD which features your friend and radio personality Dwight Stone, Canton Jones and other artists.  What one word can you use to describe the CD?
P Dub:  AMAZING!!! AMAZING!! AMAZING!!!

HHI:  Do you have any favorites on it?
P Dub:  The song "Be with Em" is a great short interlude, but I love it. It explains that faith without works is dead and that you can't judge a book by its cover.  I promote the body as a body of process, not perfection.

Then there’s "Looking For Love."  This is an "FM" record that will be played on all stations.  It has a soulful, R&B feel to it and tells a story about a young lady who was looking for love in all the wrong places and fell for a guy who only wanted her physically. The second verse is about a young guy who seeks love in money and he when he finally gets it, he finds there are more problems with it than without it. He finally understands that he also looked for the wrong kind of love in all the wrong places.

HHI:   What do you want this CD to do for the world?
P Dub:  Inspire, Influence, Unite and show that you can use your "grace gift" for what it was rightfully given to you for, To KINGDOM build.

HHI:  What's next for you? 
P Dub: I just did 106th and Park with my group Still Trill Christians from Houston. We also attended our first Stellar Awards in Nashville. I’m still excited about all that. In 2010 we are going mainstream with KINGDOM MUSIC!!  I’m hitting all FM Stations, writing a Book, and we are releasing music every quarter of the year.  Plus, I've got a cool deal with a major label.  This is our year.  WATCH!!! WE WIN!! GAME OVER!!!

HHI:  Tell us something that people don't know about Willie Moore, Jr. aka "P Dub"?
P Dub:  I'm human.  I make mistakes.  I forward think.  I lose my keys a lot! I Love my family and I spend a lot of time with them. I'm normal.  I hurt.  I'm approachable; God isn't finished with me yet.  I use to drink, smoke and fight.  I couldn't clean myself so I called on JESUS CHRIST and he gave me a new way of life and now I don't do those things. Even when temptation comes, I fight with his word.  And if I slip, he catches me and he can catch you too. Don't run from your present help...CALL ON JESUS.

P Dub is transparent in the way he lives his life and it plays out in his music.  He’s got a heart for the young and the young at heart and wants to lead them to Christ through his Kingdom Music.  This breakout Inspirational Hip Hop/Urban Gospel is none like you’ve ever heard before.  Be on the lookout for P Dub, his music and the Young Fly and Saved Movement.  It will really surprise you and bless you, whether you are 10, 21 or 77!  Check him out on the web: 
www.myspace.com/pdub
www.theyfs.com