Q&A With Rising Michigan Based Hip Hop Artist Monee
Congratulations on your latest album release “PrivatePartyMonee”. We checked it out and we really enjoyed the fresh new sound & perspective on new Hip Hop coming out of Lansing, Michigan. What motivated you to create this style of music. And where did your moniker originate?
What motivated me to create this type of music is it’s not really a sound in my city so as a producer/artist I’m trying to create that sound, and it’s basically just coming off the mood I’m in and the vibe I’m on. Monee is actually my real name.
The earliest hip-hop memory I can recall is having 50 Cent’s “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” album when I was in kindergarten and getting in trouble for cussing in class and wearing the du-rag like him. I think from that day on I wanted to do music.
How are you dealing with this whole nationwide lockdown due to Covid-19 CoronaVirus? Has this affected your music career in any way?
Covid-19 hasn’t affected me as much as other people. By nature I’m already isolated. So it’s easy for me to stay at home. This helped me already start recording for my next project and keep my writing up. Now I’m just looking for more inspiration.
Who’re some of your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences are Kanye West, ASAP Rocky, Future, PartyNextDoor, Lil Uzi Vert and Tame Impala.
You recently dropped a new album “PrivatePartyMonee”
“PRIVATEPARTYMONEE” is my first full length project. The idea came from where I’m really in my own world having fun and a few selected people can see this. Showing in visible spaces I’m still out here, but I’m hiding in plain sight. The project was more on having fun this time around after on my first EP I’m just getting over a break up, so I told myself it’s time to lift up my mood and everybody’s mood if they’re going through something. The artwork is me at a private party and I’m hiding my face, because I don’t want to be seen yet. I’m still having fun though!
How does social media play a role in pushing Monee music.
Social media doesn’t play a big role with me. I’m very discreet and like to go ghost and just work on my art, but my management stay on me telling me I got to get myself out there so in the future I will more likely be posting more giving you a insight on my life.
Yes I am working on a project right now entitled “All Is Well”. This time around I will be incorporating other producers to work with, because I usually just handled the production on my own. So it’ll be a new fresh sound with more topics to sound off about.
What are a few different moves you’re making for 2020 when it comes to your music career?
The business side of things I’m working on more. As the founder of my own record label Our MOMENT Recordings’s a.k.a. Our Music Open Minds Creating New Things, I also got the President of the label already and where building up for there just trying to find the right place to get that distribution deal.
Our most popular question….What is your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Underground hip-hop to me means talent that hasn’t been discovered yet, but has so much potential and they’re so underrated that when they get their chance they’re going to blow, but they’re working nonstop, no time off, and they’re knocking doors down for their opportunity.
Where can our BLOG audience find your music and follow you on social media?
You can find me on all streaming platforms under Monee. You can follow me on Instagram @maxedoutflaws / twitter @ISLOATEDMONEE / Snapchat @moneesogrande
