As an Artist: Mohamed “EsMod” Abdo is an Ethiopian rapper-violinist from Memphis, Tennessee. His blend of conscious hip-hop and pop rap with a classical violin background makes his music and concerts a one-of-a-kind experience for rap enthusiasts and music lovers alike. 

Now known for his raw, honest, and powerful storytelling, Mohamed first began releasing music under the alias “EsMod” in 2018. The Georgia-born artist released three EPs in his debut year, his first full length mixtape in 2019, a duo EP in 2022, and finally, his highly anticipated debut album, “Table For One” on January 26, 2024. Since then, EsMod accrued over 34,000 streams on Table For One alone, radio play on multiple stations, gone on a tour with Music Export Memphis, graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in Audio Engineering, and gained a considerable amount of notability though his energetic and passionate live performances that can make a room full of people cry.

“My mission? To heal the world through music. How am I planning on doing that? Great question. By sharing my personal life experiences in hopes that it finds the people who feel like they are alone in their struggles. By touching one person at a time. An easy life is never promised, but the difficulty in one's path is only granted to test those who are capable of rising above their hardships. It gives us a chance to live instead of idling away a meaningless, challenge-less life. And most of these hardships we aren’t capable of overcoming alone. We need support. We need empathy and love. Sometimes that can come in the form of a person or a group of people. Other times it can come in the form of your favorite song that helps you feel seen when you’re in a dark time, or feel motivated to get to the end of your shift. That’s what I want my music to be for the people who find it. That life support. That hand that pulls you out of the water and onto the shore.” 

EsMod pulls inspiration for his art from a vast variety of sounds and genres from Joey Badass to Hiatus Kaiyote, and from Childish Gambino to Joe Hisaishi. Today, he is gearing up for a 2025 solo tour, a vinyl release of Table For One, and a new album.

As a Brand: Esmod is a word that means “Is Change.” Change can be a very difficult thing to process, even when we need it. It’s hard, but the growth that can come from a change in our lives, both big and small, should be embraced. Although the adjustment itself can be difficult, who we become afterwards is the true reward of life— A reward we get the chance to receive time and time again in our lifespans. That is what the Esmod brand is all about.

As a Person: When not on stage or parked in front of his laptop running his business, Esmod is a man of many talents and interests. Outside of art, he enjoys running track, rock climbing, skateboarding, volleyball, Studio Ghibli, participating in gaming tournaments, and streaming his favorite video games.