Mo’Rissa is a rising hip-hop artist hailing from Miramar, Florida. She is terrifically talented musically and has confidence you can sense from a great distance. She has opened up for WALE on tour, worked with MMG LATINA, legendary DJ LS ONE, COMPTON MENACE, LUVABOYTJ, and many more. In December of 2017, she took a trip to Colombia to advance her career but things eventually took a dramatic turn. Although she is currently in Colombia fighting a tough battle, she is still keeping her name and music alive and prospering day by day. She has very big plans when she returns but for now, read the conversation below.
RESPECT.: How’s it going Mo’Rissa? To start off the conversation, How did you end up in Colombia?
I originally came to Colombia for music. I got involved with an agency that wasn’t legitimate. I visited to do local shows here in Colombia. I got reached out to by this booking agency via email and they told me that they would love to fly you me out to Colombia. They mentioned they have a lot of studios. They were promising collections and I was making moves till I got to the airport.
RESPECT.: How are you able to keep your name buzzing despite your situation?
It’s amazing but getting arrested in a country that speaks an entirely different language that I don’t understand or comprehend was very traumatizing. I thought my life was completely over and my music career was over. When I came to the facility, they had a foundation and it offers programs to the women here such as a culinary arts, music, dance, and modeling programs. I came in December and a few weeks later there was a party going on in the front so I go to the front and they’re celebrating this lady. I was like who is this lady? I didn’t speak Spanish at the time. She looked like she spoke English so I walked up to her and asked if she speaks English. I was crying and she said oh my god you speak English what are you doing here? I told her I’m an artist and I got around the wrong people. She said wow we have a restaurant running I would love for you to come put on a concert. I was like sure okay and from there I was going to the restaurant and practicing. From there, I started helping out with the front of the house hosting and serving. Yeah, basically I’m still active. I’m still singing and I am still in contact with the public.
RESPECT.: That’s amazing you’re still able to be active so when you’re back you’re going to be even stronger.
I’m still fighting. It’s funny because sometimes I go to the restaurant and they have basic technology programs so I can record and lay down ideas. Here the motto is “yo creo segundas oportunidades” which means I believe in second chances. Everything here is about second chances if you have a dream they’re going to push you to chase your dream so when you get out of here you’ll have the strength to jump straight into whatever you’re going for.
RESPECT.: Before your exit you dropped a single called “Slide” and a music video.
Yes, thank you team to my team. At first, I was very ashamed and embarrassed about my situation. I was afraid of it being in public for the simple fact people wouldn’t understand. I ask them to keep my Instagram running because I didn’t want people to know where I am. They’re still running the page. I got arrested in December and they put my music video out in February which was perfect.
RESPECT.: Your unreleased project Welcome, is that still coming out when you return?
Yes, definitely! It’s funny because when we were talking about the project before I left for Colombia he said you need to reintroduce yourself to the industry. Welcome everybody else to you. I am still working around it to release as a welcome home project. It’s so funny because I’m telling you a story that I’m in now. A girl who is secluded and in this cocoons stage.
RESPECT.: Is that why you have a butterfly next to your IG name?
Yes, it’s a symbol that is very close to me. In Colombia butterflies here are very important. With me being here and being in this cocoon stage I know when I come out I will blossom with wings and catapult in my career.
RESPECT.: So, when you do come back, what’s the first things you’re going to get to?
I’m trying to work like I’m trying to work now. Like what do we have to do to get a mic in here? I want to focus even more on the project and the music I made while in here. I want to do shows and more visuals. Just continuing what I was doing before on a new level and a much better mindset.
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