Background
Moten was born in Los Angeles, California.
Moten was born in Los Angeles, California.
He graduated from Westchester High School in 1975. He studied classical music with Lucille B. Hughly and William Wilkins, but he switched to soul music after witnessing Billy Preston perform.
He was also an arranger and producer. He primarily performed on piano and organization At an early age he displayed a remarkable interest and ability in music
At age 15, Moten formed Manufactured Funk, a band that opened for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Rufus, the Dramatics, the Young Hearts, Donny Hathaway, Natalie Cole, New Birth, the Undisputed Truth, B.B. King, and others
Later he traveled the world on a Tina Turner tour. Through Ike, he befriended Bobby Womack, working with him on many projects, including both Poet albums and another with Sam Cooke"s daughter, Linda Womack (Bobby"s sister-in-law).
Moten co-wrote Bobby Womack"s "If You Think You"re Lonely Now". Moten produced Johnnie Taylor"s Just Ain"t Good Enough on Beverly Glen Records in 1982 (featuring "What About My Love").
The following year, he produced Anita Baker"s debut album, The Songstress, and co-wrote all of the album"s tracks.
In 1987, he wrote several songs for Rosie Gaines" album Number Sweeter Love (featuring the track "Crazy"), that was subsequently shelved at the time, later to be resurrected by the Expansion label in the United Kingdom in 2000. Moten penned nearly 60 registered compositions. He toured with a jazz showcase featuring Joe Sample, Lalah Hathaway, and Gerald Albright.
He also toured with Frankie Beverly and Maze, and additionally wrote tunes for Mica Paris, Tone Lōc and Sarah Vaughan.
He continued the liaison with Anita Baker on her Rhythm of Love album. Moten resided in Marina Delegate Rey, California.
He was a Prince Hall Freemason. He died in Los Angeles on November 22, 1999, from liver failure at the age of 42.
He had been diagnosed as Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive two years earlier.