Years ago, Monaleo realized her rap pursuits thanks to her younger brother, fellow rapper Yung Rampage. Since then, the budding Houston star has contributed to her hometown's burgeoning hip-hop scene, hitting fans over the head with thumping tracks like "Beating Down Yo Block," "We Not Humping," and "Ass Kickin'." After capturing the internet's attention with her viral tracks, Monaleo finally delivered her debut project, "Where the Flowers Don't Die," on May 26 — just a few days after giving birth to her first child. As she balances motherhood and her blossoming rap career, she looks to the future to see what else is in store for her and her fellow femcees in hip-hop.
What has hip-hop done for you as an artist?
Hip-hop has healed me. Hip-hop has created a means of income for me. Hip-hop has brought my family closer together.
"I hope to see a lot more female artists being recognized and deeply appreciated for their artistry instead of just being tokens and trophies."
Who are some women in hip-hop you think deserve more of their flowers?
I think every woman in hip-hop right now and in the future deserves more flowers. Women are so harshly criticized and chastised in this industry, it seems as though we can never do enough. So to any woman putting themselves on the forefront and subjecting themselves to scrutiny for the sake of publicizing their art and trying to create a way to feed their family, you deserve your flowers.
What are you most grateful for in today's era of hip-hop?
I'm grateful for how easy it is to infiltrate hip-hop culture. Though some might disagree, I can appreciate social media apps like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram for allowing more unconventional artists and sounds to have an opportunity to thrive in the hip-hop space.
What do you hope to see for the future of hip-hop?
I hope to see a lot more female artists being recognized and deeply appreciated for their artistry instead of just being tokens and trophies.
