Cedric C.E.D. Clark-Moore stands out as a multifaceted figure in the music industry, holding 100% ownership of his masters and copyrights since 1996. While his career is deeply rooted in bass, rap, and hip-hop, his influence extends across various genres, effectively bringing southern underground music to a wider audience. He has made significant contributions to the works of iconic artists such as 2-Live Crew, Luke, Poison Clan, JT Money, H-Town, 95 South, and 69 Boyz, among others, helping to create several multi-platinum, record-breaking classics. As the Chairman and founder of Black Owned Music Group (BOMG), Cedric has honed his talents as a self-taught producer, rapper, and underground legend, establishing himself as a prolific force in the music business.
Born on February 9, 1972, in Fort Pierce, Florida, Cedric Denard Clark-Moore faced adversity early in life when his father was tragically shot when Cedric was just five years old. His mother, Debra Moore, worked tirelessly, often 16-hour days, to ensure a safe upbringing for him. A devout Christian, Cedric attended John Carroll Catholic Private High School, where his athletic abilities stood out. He recalls being one of only six African-American students there, with three attending for sports. Unbeknownst to his mother initially, Cedric later transferred to Westwood High School, where his prowess in football and baseball earned him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was also drafted by the Houston Astros in 1990, despite not playing baseball his senior year due to a shoulder injury from football.
Cedric graduated with a degree in Speech Communications, but his true education in music began when he was hired as the personal DJ for the influential music mogul Luther "Luke Skyy Walker, Luke, Capt. D, Uncle Luke, or Mr. 2 Live Crew" Campbell in 1994. Shortly after, he founded his first record label, Big Cee Records, in collaboration with three childhood friends who were also college-educated former professional athletes. In 1996, he initially signed himself to the label but soon brought on three local rappers from his high school to contribute to his first record. The label gained traction with the release of Triple Threat DJ's underground bass classic "Party Time," which showcased Florida's unique beats and authentic narratives.
Following this success, Cedric and lead rapper Johnnie Nedd were signed to E.K.G. Records/Warlock Records under renowned producer Tony "Pretty Tony" Butler as the rap group Red-N-Black. After Butler sampled Moore's original "Party Time" and took full credit for the production, Cedric left the label in 1997. Nevertheless, he achieved a significant milestone by being featured on the Intersound Records 1998 release Bootleg Booty, Vol. 2, alongside notable artists such as Lil' Jon & The Eastside Boyz, Jazze Pha, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and many others.
Dissatisfied with his major label experience, Moore relocated from Miami to Orlando, where he connected with Rip-It Records founders Barry Dufae and Louis Bell, the grandson of the renowned DJ Jack "The Rapper" Gibson. Rip-It Records became successful with the release of the 69 Boyz multi-platinum Billboard Top Ten single "Tootsee Roll." Recognizing Cedric's industry knowledge, Dufae and Bell appointed him as their Director of Artist & Repertoire (A&R) when he was just 27 years old. In exchange for his salary, Cedric recorded "I Need Somebody Wit Money" featuring Triple Threat and Red-N-Black at the state-of-the-art Shu-Nut Recording Studios.
Once released under Chain Gang Records, "I Need Somebody Wit Money" quickly gained heavy rotation on radio stations throughout the Southeastern region. This success allowed Cedric to tour and perform alongside emerging artists such as Trick Daddy and Jagged Edge, ultimately expanding his operations to California. Recently, he collaborated with music legend Brian "Big Bass" Gardner at Bernie Grundman Studios in Hollywood to master his new single "Blew Me Away," featuring Reggie B.
