Move Out The Way, Monaleo Is Making Moves

It is no surprise that Houston births some of music’s greatest superstars, and up-and-coming rap sensation Monaleo is no exception. Within the past year, she has gained traction from fans and fellow artists alike, prevailing as one of rap’s new-fashioned creatives.

With the viral success of her breakout single “Beating Down Yo Block” and collaboration with Flo Milli for their “We Not Humping (Remix),” Monaleo continues to set an unprecedented bar for herself as an independent artist. Since amassing 26,678,810 Spotify streams for her 2021 breakout single, Monaleo’s career continues to emerge as she recently concluded her month-long “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Tour,” where she performed as Flo Milli’s opening act.

Simultaneously, Monaleo expands her artistry as she released her newest song “Body Bag” (October 20) during the sold-out tour. In addition to releasing the song, she performed it on tour, along with some of the hottest tracks from her discography, “Beating Down Yo Block,” “Suck It Up,” “Faneto Freestyle,” and “We Not Humping (Remix).”

With the perfect combination of impassioned and fervent, yet sweet and endearing attitude, Monaleo’s hunger to deliver and inspire others shines through in her artistry.

The Female Rap Room had the privilege of hosting an interview with Monaleo on November 15. The interview can be read below.

What was it about rapping that made you chase your dream of becoming a rapper? And how did your brother, Yung Rampage’s artistry inspire you?

“He was just a really talented artist since he was a kid, I’ve always believed in his musical abilities. We both have an admiration for music, he liked rap and I liked to sing so we always made small songs together. But once he asked me to do a song with him for his birthday in the studio and we posted it and received good feedback, that’s what inspired me to look at music as something that is a little more attainable and real.”

How does having someone close to you, that’s also in the rap game encourage you? What does your support system look like in that regard and how does it keep you afloat?

“…I do have people that are in the industry/rap game who give me advice and uplift me. I’m an independent artist, so I navigate things differently. BIA is one of my good friends who gives me reassurance and guides me, so it’s really valuable to me because I’m doing it on my own. It really grounds me.”

You’re a big advocate for mental health—in what ways do you believe maintaining your mental health inspires your creative process?

“It’s imperative that I maintain my mental health because if I don’t, I physically won’t show up for shit. I won’t have the energy or willpower, so I do need days for myself. Because if I don’t, I won’t be organized or deal with things properly.”

How do you approach the pressure to be your best as an artist/creative?

“I try to not feel that pressure from people because the older I get and the more I’m in this industry, you realize that the pressure is coming from people who are not credible and have never made a song in their life, and don’t know what they’re talking about. So the pressure is there I guess, but it’s not even real.”

Do you have any other endeavors or aspirations outside of rap that you would like to start working toward in the future?

“Yes, I definitely have plans to do more.”

Kehlani brought you out on stage during the North American leg of her tour, what did that moment mean for you?

“That shit meant everything, first of all, me and Kehlani have the same birthday, we’re both Taurus. We have different fan bases but just to be embraced by such a beautiful artist that I look up to means so much. I’ve followed her journey from mental health to now having a baby, so it means a lot to know that I’m on her radar.”

What has touring with Flo Milli been like?

“Touring with Flo has been a really good experience because we share a very similar fan base…that happened coincidentally. We just really mesh and blend together very well, that’s my sister. She really supports me and checks up on me and vice versa, so it’s been a really good first experience.”