Mooski, the viral sensation from Opp, Alabama, has released the official video for his breakthrough global smash, “Track Star.” The long-awaited visual for the emotional song features fellow rising star Coi Leray and a cameo from Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Nija—both in non-singing roles. Out via Capital Records, “Track Star” has become an absolute sensation across the web, with 475+ million views on TikTok and 42+ million global streams.
“Track Star” finds Mooski at his most vulnerable, sketching a narrative worthy of a dramatic Oscar—all the more impressive considering he wrote the song while playing the instrumental in his car. Despite singing about personal experiences, Mooski is able to appeal to a massive (and growing) audience.
“I talk about the unspoken. When people listen to my music they’re going to be like, ‘Mooski was in my head.’ It’s going to be personal to them.”
-Mooski
On its rise, “Track Star” picked up more than just fans. The associated TikTok challenge has inspired videos from Keyshia Cole, Lala Anthony, Dream Doll, and Halle Berry, among others. Additionally, Trey Songz and Jacquees have both remixed “Track Star.” The video builds on that legacy, casting Coi Leray as the “runner”—a woman Mooski meets at the club and builds a relationship with, only to discover “She gon’ run away when it gets hard.” When she attempts to return, Mooski’s moved on with Nija’s character, but there’s a hint that history may repeat itself.
Mooski’s emotional mastery is earned. After serving a four-year tenure in the Marine Corps and reaching the rank of sergeant, he left the service to pursue his true passion. He began releasing freestyle videos on social media and was pleasantly surprised at the reaction his songs got, particularly when he told his own stories. “Track Star” is the culmination of this experience, the rare track that offers introspective analysis and becomes a universal smash at the same time.