FM2: The Choir Still Stands
By Hasan James- For Freddie Moore II, the choir has always been more than a sound—it’s a calling. From starting a choir at his Sacramento high school to leading FM2 & Intentional, the West Coast native has turned his love for choir music into a ministry rooted in faith, unity and perseverance. Now, FM2 & Intentional are stepping into a new chapter as the first act signed to Emerge, powered by Tyscot Records, with “I Survived,” featuring Ruth La’Ontra, providing a fitting soundtrack for the journey. Root caught up with Freddie to talk about his West Coast influences, discovering his gift for songwriting, the forthcoming project he calls his best work yet, and why, through every shift in gospel music, the choir still stands.
Root: I feel like the West Coast is underrated when it comes to gospel music. What was the gospel scene like growing up? Did you feel isolated from what was happening on the East Coast and in the Midwest?
FM2: Growing up, we had the Hawkins, the L.A. Messengers and the L.A. Mass Choir. There was so much great talent, but I just don’t think they were known on the same global scale as, say, James Cleveland. I mention these names because of their connection to choir music, but of course, acts like Mary Mary, Kurt Carr and Andraé Crouch were West Coast acts that sold a ton of records. For me, it’s a blessing that I’ve been able to stand on their shoulders, and I want to thank them for being pioneers of the West Coast gospel scene. At the end of the day, I’m a West Coast boy with a choir that is a fusion of the West Coast, East Coast and Midwest.
Root: Speaking of choirs, did you dream of having your own choir growing up?
FM2: Growing up in church, I did my first solo at six years old. I’ve always loved choirs. There’s something about one individual standing in front of multiple people, leading them in one accord. I fell in love with that feeling at a young age, and when I got to high school, I started a choir at Florin High School in Sacramento, California. Shout-out to the Class of 2001! When I started the choir in high school, I had no idea it would become a professional thing. I just loved choir music. I was also the assistant choir director at my home church, Genesis Baptist Church. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2004, I was the assistant choir director for a choir called Psalms at the City of Refuge, under the direction of Jason McGee. In 2015, my manager, Marcus Bishop, came to me and said, “Man, I think it’s time for you to start your own thing.” I was good just playing the background, but God had other plans.
Root: Your last album, Live from the Choir Stand, Episode Two, was released in 2025. What I love is that you held a live recording and an album release in the same weekend. Why did you choose that approach?
FM2: We released Live from the Choir Stand, Episode Two on November 7, 2025. That same weekend, on November 9, we held our third live recording, commemorating our 10th anniversary as a choir, so we just made it one big weekend. I’ve been excited about all my projects, but in my opinion, this is our best one to date, and I cannot wait for the world to hear it. The house was full of supporters, and there were literally wall-to-wall people. There were so many dope features on this record, including Ruth La’Ontra, Crystal Aikin, Bishop Cortez Vaughn, Christina Bell, Camille Grisby and Glenda Adams. We also featured soloists from my choir, Intentional: Nicole Morgan, Phillip Glover, William Glover, Kamisha King and Sharonda King.
Root: Tell us about the new project you have coming out in partnership with Tyscot Records as the label celebrates its 50th year.
FM2: When we started shopping for a deal, I definitely had Tyscot at the top of the list, mainly because of their longevity. Like you said, Tyscot is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and it’s an amazing time to partner with them and have this West Coast choir signed to the Tyscot brand. We’re on Emerge, powered by Tyscot, and it’s amazing. The team is amazing. Shout-out to Brian, Sidney and everyone who works for the Tyscot brand. They have been amazing to work with, and I’m excited to see all the doors that God continues to open through this partnership.
Root: You just made a very bold statement by saying this next album is your best work to date. Do you stand by that statement?
FM2: I. Do. I feel like this is the best one because I actually got to write on this record. One of the songs is called “The Secret,” and I also co-wrote the latest single, “I Survived,” with Mike Bereal, featuring Ruth La’Ontra on lead. It’s an amazing thing when God gives you the pen, speaks to you and tells you to write these things. Then, being able to write something that resonates with the singer is the icing on the cake.
Root: When was that gift of songwriting birthed in you?
FM2: I would say that gift was birthed in 2025. I just said, “Lord, I need You to speak to my heart. Give me the words to write down.” As I was doing my devotional and reading my Word, things started coming to me, and I started writing them down. I was able to work with people I’ve admired and wanted to work with for so long, and God gave me the opportunity to do that. Shout-out to my executive producer, Jimmy Hodges, who basically told me, “Listen, whatever I can do to make this happen for you, I’m gonna do that.” And he kept his word. He made sure I was able to get the people I wanted for this record, so that’s why this album is near and dear to my heart.
Root: I’m curious to know your thoughts on gospel music of the ’90s versus gospel music today.
FM2: I’m a choir head, and if I remember correctly, my very first gospel concert was Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir back in 1994. They came to Oakland, California, and they had on all black. I remember it so vividly. That same year, I saw them again at GMWA in Atlanta, and the following year, when GMWA was in L.A., Love Fellowship recorded “Shakin’ the House” along with Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams. I was probably 11 or 12 years old when I started going to GMWA. We were a part of the Sacramento chapter, and I loved going to the different musical showcases and hearing choirs from across the world. The gospel scene was so dope back then! You had everybody from Hezekiah Walker to James Hall to O’Landa Draper and the Associates to Chicago Mass. Nobody sounded the same, and everybody wore choir robes! You hear people saying that the choir left, but the choir has always been there.
Root: The industry changed, but the choir remains.
FM2: Absolutely! People have to adapt when it comes to getting out on the road, you know? Having a choir doesn’t mean you can’t travel, because I’ve been moving Intentional since the beginning. Most of the things we do have been on the road rather than at home. If you have the will and the desire to spread the gospel, just do it.
Root: Last question. We call this Root Certified Top Five. Tell me your top five choirs and your favorite album from each.
FM2: I would say James Hall and Worship and Praise. My favorite album would be Chapter 3. I am a huge James Hall fan.
Root: So am I. King of Glory is my favorite James Hall album.
FM2: James Hall and WAP have so many! Let’s see, Hezekiah Walker is another one of my favorites, and my favorite album from him would have to be Live in Toronto.
Root: That’s my favorite Love Fellowship album as well. That album literally has no skips, and it’s so raw! We don’t hear live albums like that anymore—with all the mistakes and the whole story behind them.
FM2: For sure! Donald Lawrence and Tri-City are definitely on that list, and my favorite album is Bible Stories.
Root: That was a game changer when it came out, from their wardrobe to the storytelling.
FM2: Shout-out to Donald Lawrence. He is the man! I’m not quite sure if I can put him in the choir category, but my next one would have to be Richard Smallwood and Vision.
Root: I can’t be mad at that.
FM2: Richard Smallwood and Vision’s Healing: Live in Washington would be number four, and my last one would be Ricky Dillard and New G, with the album Worked It Out. I actually had all of Ricky’s records: Holy Ghost Takeover, Hallelujah… I played those records all the time. But Worked It Out introduced me to Kim Burrell because I wasn’t familiar with her until I heard her on the reprise of “Jesus Paid It All.” From that moment forward, I fell in love with her. Vocally, Kim Burrell can do no wrong! Those are my top five choirs.
