Monaleo
Leondra Roshawn Gay (born April 24, 2001), known by her stage name Monaleo (pronounced mon-a-lee-o) is an American rapper and singer-songwriter based in Houston. She released her debut single, "Beating Down Yo Block," on February 24, 2021.
Monaleo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Leondra Roshawn Gay |
| Born | April 24, 2001 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels | Stomp Down, Inc. Sony Music |
| Partner(s) | Stunna 4 Vegas (2021–present) |
Early life edit
Gay originates from El Paso and grew up in Houston, Texas.[1] She attended The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, located in Houston. She was in pursuit of a degree at Prairie View A&M University before putting her studies on pause due to her musical career.[2]
Career edit
Gay began working in music intermittently since January 2020. In September 2020, she released a snippet of her debut single "Beating Down Yo Block" with producer Merion Krazy.[3] The song samples "Knockin Pictures Off Da Wall" by Yungstar. She wrote the song while struggling with a bad breakup.[2][4] The song went viral on social media in January 2021, gaining over 3 million streams on Spotify and 3.3 million views on the music video on YouTube. Monaleo later released the singles "Girls Outside" and "Suck It Up."[3] "Girls Outside" samples "Outside” by OG Bobby Billions.[5] In August 2021, Gay released a music video for the single, "Suck It Up."[6][7] On May 26, 2023, she released her debut studio album, Where the Flowers Don't Die, featuring a guest appearance from Flo MIlli.[8]
Gay is represented by the Stomp Down collective.[3]
Personal life edit
Gay's younger brother is rapper Yung Rampage. She has publicly shared about her past suicide attempts and mental health.[3] In May 2023, Gay gave birth to her first child, Khalick Anthony Caldwell II, with partner Stunna 4 Vegas.[9][8]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Where the Flowers Don't Die[10] |
|
Singles edit
As lead artist edit
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "First Draft Pick" | 2020 | Non-album single | |
| "Beating Down Your Block" | 2021 |
| Where the Flowers Don't Die |
| "Girls Outside" | Non-album singles | ||
| "Suck It Up" | |||
| "We Not Humping" | |||
| "We Not Humpin' (Remix)" (with Flo Milli) | 2022 | ||
| "Body Bag" | |||
| "Miss U Already" (with NoCap) | |||
| "Ridgemont Baby" | 2023 | Where the Flowers Don't Die | |
| "Sober Mind" - A COLORS SHOW | |||
| "Ass Kickin" | |||
| "I <3 My N***a" | Non-album singles | ||
| "Crying On Your Birthday" | |||
| "Don Who Leo" | 2024 |
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Family Ties" | 2020 | Yung Rampage | Non-album single |
| "Jammin’ Screwnem" | 2021 | GasGang Youngin, OMB Bloodbath, Guapo | Be Someone: HoUSton Population |
| "Lock It Down" | DJ Chose | Non-album single | |
| "Real Problems" | Yung Al | I Am Yung | |
| "Cee Cee" | Maxo Kream | Weight of the World | |
| "Apply Pressure" | Money Stoffice | Gullyside Wayz | |
| "Introvert" | JohnDee | Livestindacity | |
| "You Mad" | Josh Mercy | Non-album single | |
| "Serious" | 2022 | Rizzoo Rizzoo | Racks and Revenge |
| "Matta & Mona" | Yung Matta | Non-album singles | |
| "Hands Up" | Tay Money | ||
| "Hot Girl" | Fmb Ty, Jeezmino | ||
| "Scary" | $hyne | Who These Rap Niggas Wanna Be Like | |
| "Stick On Me" | KCG Josh, Maxo Kream | The Book of Joshua | |
| "Bed Time" | 2023 | Flo Milli, Gloss Up | You Still Here, Ho? (Extended) |
| "Top Notch" | Mahoney | Non-album single |
Awards and nominations edit
| Award | Year | Nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Give Her FlowHERS Awards | 2023 | Herself | The Self-Love Award | Won | [12] |
References edit
- ^ Rodrigues, Ashwin (November 8, 2021). "When Monoleo Raps, You Want Her to Win". Noisey. Vice Media Group. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Stewart, Shelby (May 28, 2021). "Houston's rising female rapper Monaleo earns a spot on Rolling Loud lineup". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ a b c d Seabrook III, Robby (September 15, 2021). "The Break Presents - Monaleo". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ "Genius: Monaleo "Beating Down Yo Block" Official Lyrics & Meaning". HipHopCanada. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ Stewart, Shelby (2021-07-08). "Houston's Monaleo releases 'Girls Outside,' a summer revenge anthem". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (2021-08-11). "Monaleo Shares Video for New Song "Suck It Up"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (2021-08-17). "Listen to Monaleo's "Suck it Up": The Ones". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ a b Conteh, Mankaprr (2023-05-25). "Monaleo Survived Pregnancy, Depression, and Her Debut LP -- All at Once". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ Speakman, Kimberlee (April 15, 2023). "Monaleo Reveals She Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby with Boyfriend Stunna 4 Vegas". People. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ Ushe, Naledi (25 May 2023). "If you don't get Monaleo, she says you're not listening: 'It really gets under my skin'". USA Today. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "American certifications – Monaleo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (November 14, 2023). "A Look Into Femme It Forward's 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala". Vibe.