A cheat code for the next hip-hop generation.
Agency: N/A. Role: co-Creator.Introducing MO’.
Back in ‘94, world-renowned rapper Nas said: All I need is one mic, one beat, one stage, one nigga front, my face on the front page. Well, that’s still the deal for a billion-making, yet easily accessible business. And that’s what this product concept aims for.
One mic for those whose talent is bigger than their pockets. One beat for MCs with a sick flow but nothing to ride. One stage for rappers that deserve a shot but have no audience or brands waiting in the front row.
MO’ means Mic Overpowered. And it’s a smart mic paired with a companion app to access a digital ecosystem that unlocks everything a rapper needs to become a pro.
Designing MO’ mic:
product principles.
Authenticity over novelty. Reputation in hip-hop matters. A ton. It’s important to be seen as a real mic, not as a toy for Gen Alphas.
HQ over cheap. Amateurs want to sound just like the greats, and no serious rapper has gone platinum with a smartphone mic. MO’ is the equalizer between pros and amateurs.
Simple over do-it-all. A truly smart mic should focus on two things: a seamless pairing and a no-nonsense UX designed to be held, not looked at.
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Can touch this.
MO’ main button is designed to be found by using your fingertips without losing your grip. Push twice to rec, twice to stop.
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A crown for all rappers.
The crown is a smooth scroll-type interaction that helps you move back and forth in the take you’re recording.
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Everything in its place.
Check your battery levels, turn on MO’ and plug it into your USB-C charger where it won’t get in the way of everything else.
Building MO’ app:
user journey.
Here’s a glimpse of the main interactions within the app: home browsing, writing a song, recording, and battling. Let’s pretend we’re a young blood named Mo’ da fuckah.
Make yourself at home.
Swipe through the dashboard to keep up with your music and stay updated with the latest MO’ events and content.
Write like you wanna.
Pen your lyrics in your notebook, text them in the app, or just shout ’em out. MO’ can help you write better with features like rhyme dictionaries, problem detectors, bars and hooks from rap hits, or tap-friendly shortcuts.
Find your beat.
Get access to a free, curated HQ beats library from amateur producers that use MO’ to earn exposure.
Go with your flow.
Record your track with a clean UX that guides you through the process with your lyrics synced to your beat.
Battle like no other.
Enter battle tournaments that let you see your rival as if you were sharing the stage and be judged by pro rappers and fans that follow the stream online.
One MO’ thing.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re interested in the research, benchmark, detailed features, roadmap, or streams of revenue, drop me a line. Feedback and new members are always welcome to the crew.
Shout out to Darío Busto (co-creative, designer and longtime friend), Binalogue (3D design) and Miguel Seisdedos (motion design).