Moby is a singer-songwriter, producer, DJ, and animal rights advocate. He is a musician and record label owner who has released over 20 million albums worldwide. A self-described substance free, vegan artist, he has toured the world and recorded albums under a variety of pseudonyms, including Moby, Voodoo Child, and Barracuda. He is also a photographer, and has made his mark in the music industry by remixing the likes of Michael Jackson, Pet Shop Boys, and LFO.
Although he has released music under several aliases, Moby has had one consistent theme throughout his career: his love for music and his love for animals. His passion for critters led him to become an animal rights activist, and he is known for his support of charities such as the Humane Society and Animal Aid.
One of his most memorable musical contributions came in the form of “Go,” a song that made it into the top ten of the United Kingdom and Netherlands charts in 1991. Despite its modest success, it was a sign of things to come for this talented DJ and producer. The track was so successful, it earned a spot in his sets to this day.
Other notable Moby achievements include his work on a James Bond theme and his creation of a new wave style of electronic dance music. In the 1990s, he was one of the most prolific figures in the New York City electronic music scene. During this time, he also launched his own label, Trophy Records.
It is no secret that Richard Melville Hall (also known as Moby) is a big fan of James Bond. Indeed, his version of the James Bond theme is perhaps the most popular. For his own part, he was also the first to use the new wave style of electronic dance music as a soundtrack to a film. Some of his tracks appear in the Michael Mann film Heat. Also in the oeuvre of this effervescent performer are the aforementioned “Go,” the “Surprise” (as in a sexy surprise), and the “Booty” (an old-fashioned rock n’ roll anthem). Despite the fact that the original version is unlistenable, the remixed versions are a treat.
Although he started out playing punk, in the early 1980s, Moby became a full-time musician. He was part of the punk band the Vatican Commandos, and then he joined a post-punk group called AWOL. As a DJ, he was a fixture at Club Mars in Manhattan. However, his first single, a rap track with vocalist Jimmy Mack, failed commercially. So, he shifted his focus to a more mainstream style of electronic dance music.
