MotionPlus

William Sterns, known professionally as MotionPlus, and formerly as MP Ancient, is an American Christian rapper, writer, and producer.

Background Sterns was born in Quincy, Illinois, and was raised primarily by his grandmother. She died of cancer in December 1989, when Sterns was 14 years old. After her death, he went to live with his mother and stepfather. Sterns has described this period as unstable and marked by significant personal hardship during his adolescence. During this time, he struggled academically and behaviorally at school.

By his mid-teens, Sterns was living intermittently with friends. Music became an increasingly central focus in his life, and he began dedicating himself more seriously to writing and pursuing hip hop.

Sterns was introduced to hip hop culture in 1981 by a cousin who worked at a local college radio station. One of the earliest records to influence him was Planet Rock, which sparked his interest in hip hop culture, including breakdancing and lyric writing. He wrote his first song as a tribute to his grandmother and continued writing music as a response to his life experiences.

Music career As a seasoned hip-hop artist, MotionPlus is known for his deep lyricism and signature boom-bap sound. In 2005, MotionPlus signed with Syntax Records while later collaborating with other labels such as End of Earth, Illect, Jim's Pool Room, and War Records. Known as a member of the Scribbling Idiots, MotionPlus continues to craft gritty, soulful, and thought-provoking hip hop as part of the Polished Arrow Music collective.

MotionPlus has collaborated on numerous occasions with rapper/producer A-F-R-O, including two LPs "FOCUS," and "Antiquity."

On June 26, 2026, MotionPlus released a collaborative album with A-F-R-O titled Frequencies.

Critical reception In 2026, MotionPlus was nominated for Breakout Artist of the Year and Best Song of the Year for his 2025 track "Legacy." by RapZilla.

Discography

Studio albums +The Sound Protest Released: 2007 Label: ESeye MusicHeart on My Sleeve Released: 2009 Label: ESeye MusicSoulSonicStimulation Released: 2013 Label: EyeSeye MusicSound Protest 2 Released: 2015FOCUS Released: January 31, 2025 Label: FRO Thizzle Productions / SOLFEEDER Completely produced by: A-F-R-OAntiquity Released: December 5, 2025 Label: FRO Thizzle Productions / SOLFEEDER Completely produced by A-F-R-O

EPs +War Scars Released: 2010Golden Rule Released: 2010Heirlooms Released: 2018Dark Alley Concerto Released: 2021Improper Decorum Released: July 18, 2025 Label: The SoulFeed / Polished Arrow

Collaborative albums

MP Ancient collaborations +No Expiration Date with Grungy Boguez Released: 2016

Scribbling Idiots (Group albums) +The Have Nots Released: 2007 Label: Illect RecordsInvitation Only Released: 2014 Label: Illect RecordsGood Morning Mourning Released: 2016 Label: EyeSeye Music

Other collaborations +SomeBuddies with Cas Metah Released: April 21, 2009 Label: ILLECT RecordingsFrequencies with A-F-R-O Released: June 26, 2026 Label: FRO Thizzle Productions / The Soul Feed

Compilations +Oddz and Endz, Vol. 1 Released: 2016

Awards and nominations

RapZilla