Moore raps about life in the ATL

Bucs rookie defensive end Kyle Moore knows the music scene in Atlanta like his team's playbook.

Moore was born in Germany but played high school football at Warner Robins, located outside of Atlanta. As Atlanta's urban music scene took off early in 2000 because of the popularity of Jermaine Dupri, Lil' Jon, Usher and Ludacris, Moore grew up listening to today's popular entertainers - no offense to you Beatles fans.

Moore and I spoke about music prior to his first opportunity to play today in the Georgia Dome.

Anwar: What was your favorite cartoon song growing up?

Kyle: Cartoon song? Man, I liked a bunch of them. I liked "X-Men," but I really liked the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "ThunderCats."

Anwar: Which Atlanta rapper do you like more - Ludacris or T.I.?

Kyle: T.I. He's the king of the South.

Anwar: But Ludacris has more hits.

Kyle: Luda has more club bangers, but T.I. is a much better lyricist.

Anwar: What kind of music did your parents listen to?

Kyle: It was gospel all the way. I used to try to sneak and listen to other music on the radio. My mom is a big fan of Whitney Houston. She liked some songs on the radio, but if they talked about sex, she wouldn't listen to it. She really liked Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr, Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams.

Anwar: So I bet your parents made sure you were involved in church?

Kyle: Oh yeah. When I was young, I sang in church. My mom had me in the youth choir. I even led the choir one time. That was back in the day. When we moved to Georgia, I really didn't do the choir thing anymore.

Anwar: Do you know how to do the Dirty Bird dance made popular by the Falcons?

Kyle: Oh yeah. That's the first thing you learn in Atlanta. Any time Jamal Anderson used to score, everybody would do it.

Anwar: What's the better Atlanta dance - A-Town Stomp or Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It?

Kyle: Atlanta is just known for a bunch of dances - period. We have the Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It, the A-Town Stomp and the Jig. We have a ton of dances, but the Jig is what I love right now.

Anwar: Can I find the Jig on YouTube, because I have no clue what you're talking about?

Kyle: Go ahead and do it. You'll see what's going on.

Anwar: Which singer from Atlanta would you rather date - Keri Hilson or Ciara?

Kyle: Keri Hilson. Ciara is very strong, but Keri is what takes it for me.

Anwar: You played at Southern California. What was it like to hear that USC fight song on Saturday's?

Kyle: It's the best feeling in the world because you know we were about to go out there and tear some people up. When you heard it, everyone in the crowd was throwing their hands up. (Moore starts singing the fight song). Oh boy, I used to have goose bumps. We would come out to 95,000 fans. That was something special.

Anwar: Would it be music to your ears to head back to Atlanta and pick up a win?

Kyle: That would be great because that team told me back during draft time that they were looking at me and they obviously didn't draft me. Now, I get to go up there and play in front of my family and friends. I've got over 100 people trying to hit me up for tickets. It would be great to play up there. I always wanted to play in the dome. In high school, the only way you got to play in the dome is if you got past the (state playoffs') third round and we never made it that far. This will be my first time ever playing in that dome and I'm looking forward to it.