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 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels |
|
| Partner | Stunna 4 Vegas (2021–present) |
| Website | themonaleo |
| Children | 1[1] |
Early life
editGay was born and raised in Houston, Texas.[2] 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.[3]
Career
editGay 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.[4] The song samples "Knockin Pictures Off Da Wall" by Yungstar. She wrote the song while struggling with a bad breakup.[3][5] 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."[4] "Girls Outside" samples "Outside” by OG Bobby Billions.[6] In August 2021, Gay released a music video for the single, "Suck It Up."[7][8] On May 26, 2023, she released her debut studio album, Where the Flowers Don't Die, featuring a guest appearance from Flo Milli.[9] On September 27, 2024, Gay released her first EP, entitled Throwing Bows, featuring guest appearances from Stunna 4 Vegas, Sauce Walka, Kaliii, and other artists.[10]
Gay is represented by the Stomp Down collective.[4]
Personal life
editGay's younger brother is rapper Yung Rampage. She has publicly shared about her past suicide attempts and mental health.[4] In May 2023, Gay gave birth to her first child, Khalick Anthony Caldwell II, with partner Stunna 4 Vegas.[11][9]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Where the Flowers Don't Die[12] |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Throwing Bows[13] |
|
Singles
editAs 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 | Throwing Bows | |
| "Ranchero" | Non-album single | ||
| "Passenger Princess (Jibbitz)" (featuring Stunna 4 Vegas) |
Throwing Bows | ||
| "Flush Em" (featuring Kaliii) |
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Family Ties" (Yung Rampage with Monaleo) |
2020 | Non-album singles | |
| "Lock It Down" (DJ Chose featuring Monaleo) |
2021 | ||
| "You Mad" (Josh Mercy featuring Monaleo) |
|||
| "Matta & Mona" (Yung Matta with Monaleo) |
2022 | ||
| "Hands Up" (Tay Money with Monaleo) |
|||
| "Hot Girl" (Fmb Ty with Monaleo and Jeezmino) |
|||
| "Scary" ($hyne featuring Monaleo) |
Who These Rap Niggas Wanna Be Like | ||
| "Bed Time" (Flo Milli featuring Gloss Up and Monaleo) |
2023 | You Still Here, Ho? (Extended) | |
| "Top Notch" (Mahoney featuring Monaleo) |
Non-album singles | ||
| "Big One" (Kaliii featuring Monaleo) |
2024 |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Jammin’ Screwnem" | 2021 | GasGang Youngin, OMB Bloodbath, Guapo | Be Someone: HoUSton Population |
| "Real Problems" | Yung Al | I Am Yung | |
| "Cee Cee" | Maxo Kream | Weight of the World | |
| "Apply Pressure" | Money Stoffice | Gullyside Wayz | |
| "Introvert" | JohnDee | Livestindacity | |
| "Serious" | 2022 | Rizzoo Rizzoo | Racks and Revenge |
| "Stick On Me" | KCG Josh, Maxo Kream | The Book of Joshua |
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Give Her FlowHERS Awards | 2023 | Herself | The Self-Love Award | Won | [15] |
References
edit- ^ Hawkins, Ruth (2023-05-28). "Monaleo's First Child With Stunna 4 Vegas Arrives Two Days Before Her Debut Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Medithi, Vivian. "How Monaleo fell in love with rapping again". The Fader. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grant, Shawn. "Monaleo Announces New EP "Throwing Bows" Set for Sept. 27 Release". The Source. Retrieved 13 September 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.