Battle Axe

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Lore & Background

Moka Only's time at Battle Axe Records was marked by both his solo work and his integral role in Swollen Members. In 2001, he released *Lime Green*, his first album on the label, followed by the collaboration *Code Name: Scorpion* with Prevail and Abstract Rude, and the solo album *Moka Only is… Ron Contour*. That same year, he was featured on Swollen Members' "Fuel Injected," which won four MuchMusic Video Awards. The group's album *Bad Dreams* peaked at number 34 on the Canadian albums chart, achieved Platinum status by the CRIA, and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2002 Juno Awards. In 2002, Swollen Members released *Monsters in the Closet*, which debuted at number 7 on the Canadian albums chart, earned a Gold certification from the CRIA, and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2003 Juno Awards. Moka released the solo album *Flood* just weeks prior to *Monsters in the Closet*, but he felt it was overlooked. His 2003 solo album *Lowdown Suite* suffered a similar fate. The group's next album, *Heavy* (2003), included Moka on every song for the first time and debuted at number 14 on the Canadian albums chart. *Heavy* won Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at the 2004 Western Canadian Music Awards. After this, Moka left Swollen Members and returned his focus mostly to solo work. His final Battle Axe album, *The Desired Effect*, was released on August 16, 2005. He later referred to it as "The Not So Desired Effect" due to issues with Nettwerk. The music video for "Once Again" peaked at number 13 on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown and was the number 4 most streamed video on MuchMusic from August 12–November 5, 2005. The song also reached number 24 on Radio & Records CHR/Pop Top 30 chart.

In Their Own Story

In 2003, Moka Only released *Lowdown Suite*, a solo album on Battle Axe Records. It suffered a similar fate as his previous solo effort *Flood*, which had been overlooked just weeks after Swollen Members' *Monsters in the Closet* dropped. Later that same year, Swollen Members released *Heavy*, which included Moka on every song for the first time. The album debuted at number 14 on the Canadian albums chart. The song "Watch This" peaked at number 21 on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown. All three albums—*Natural Progression* by Sweatshop Union (featuring Moka on "Better Days"), *Lowdown Suite*, and *Heavy*—were nominated for Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at the 2004 Western Canadian Music Awards. *Heavy* won the award. After this, Moka left Swollen Members and returned his focus mostly to solo work. On August 16, 2005, he released his final album with Battle Axe Records, *The Desired Effect*. He once referred to it as "The Not So Desired Effect" due to issues with Nettwerk. The music video for "Once Again" peaked at number 13 on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown, and was the number 4 most streamed video on MuchMusic from August 12–November 5, 2005. The song also reached number 24 on Radio & Records CHR/Pop Top 30 chart.

Reader's Guide

Moka Only's Battle Axe Records era (2001–2005) is a rich period for collectors and fans of Canadian underground hip-hop. His solo albums on the label include *Lime Green* (2001), *Moka Only is… Ron Contour* (2001), *Flood* (2002), *Lowdown Suite* (2003), and *The Desired Effect* (2005). He also collaborated with Prevail and Abstract Rude on *Code Name: Scorpion* (2001). During this time, he was a key member of Swollen Members, appearing on their albums *Bad Dreams* (2001), *Monsters in the Closet* (2002), and *Heavy* (2003). *Bad Dreams* achieved Platinum status by the CRIA and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2002 Juno Awards. *Monsters in the Closet* earned a Gold certification from the CRIA and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2003 Juno Awards. *Heavy* won Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at the 2004 Western Canadian Music Awards. For fans seeking deeper cuts, note that *Flood* was released just weeks before *Monsters in the Closet* and was overlooked, while *Lowdown Suite* suffered a similar fate. *The Desired Effect* was Moka's final Battle Axe release, and he expressed dissatisfaction with it due to issues with Nettwerk, later releasing a version he preferred titled *Desired Effect* in 2006. The music video for "Once Again" from *The Desired Effect* peaked at number 13 on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown and was the number 4 most streamed video on MuchMusic from August 12–November 5, 2005. The song also reached number 24 on Radio & Records CHR/Pop Top 30 chart.

Did You Know?

• Moka Only's first album on Battle Axe Records was *Lime Green*, released in 2001.
• Swollen Members' album *Bad Dreams*, which featured Moka Only, achieved Platinum status by the CRIA and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2002 Juno Awards.
• Moka Only's solo album *Flood* (2002) was released just weeks prior to Swollen Members' *Monsters in the Closet* and was overlooked in favor of the group's album.
• The music video for "Once Again" from *The Desired Effect* was the number 4 most streamed video on MuchMusic from August 12–November 5, 2005.
• Moka Only once referred to his final Battle Axe album, *The Desired Effect*, as "The Not So Desired Effect" due to issues with Nettwerk.