Like many of his Houston peers, Moe began his career freestyling on DJ Screw's mixtapes before graduating to Wreckshop Records. The label released the big man's debut album, City of Syrup (2000), the title nodding to Houston's reputation for drinking codeine-laced syrup, which Moe pours from a Styrofoam cup on the album's cover. City of Syrup album featured a noteworthy hit, Mann!, that Moe intended to be the Dirty South's answer to Black Rob's East Coast hit Whoa! His intentions proved successful, and listeners rewarded him with a reputation-establishing hit. A year and half later, Moe returned with his second album, Purple World (2002), the album that would introduce him to the world. It offered a who's who ensemble of Houston vocalists, excellent production by Blue and Salih Williams, and two versions of Moe's breakthrough single, Purple Stuff. Plus, Priority Records distributed the album, ensuring that it would be everywhere, from the street corners of Houston to the Wal-Marts of suburban America. MTV even gave Moe's #Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-themed video a few rotations. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi