We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mone’. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mone’ below.

Mone’, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

As an artist you’re always going to run into problems; whether if you’re signed to a major label or if you’re independent. I’ve dealt with a lot of adversity, especially as a gay female rapper. I don’t want to put to myself in a box of being a gay rapper, but we have to call a spade a spade. The way that I dress, talk, and my demeanor says it all. I think the main problem is displaying the whole me. It’s people that think I shouldn’t dress the way I do, or say certain stuff, because at the end of the day I’m a female. I don’t go on records and claim I’m someone that I’m not. On the other hand, you have people who are secretly in competition with you when they’re supposed to be your friend. I’ve lost a lot of people along the way due to drama, me voicing my opinions, the lack of certain fundamentals, and just piss poor decisions. For whatever reason people don’t understand that it’s enough food for everyone to eat, but some people want to gain weight by themselves. I’ve dealt with promoters screwing me over, people stealing my flow (rap/song), etc. I’ve really dealt with it all. As a struggling artist some of our money might not be all the way together, so it’s certain stuff that we just cannot do. People don’t really know what you’re going through, and expect that you might have it when in reality you don’t. I can go on and on, but through it all I pray and keep faith. It might be temporary misfortunes, but it’s always blessings around the corner.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I got into music as a child; from rapping songs on the radio, to collecting cd’s, and posters from some of my favorite artists at the time. I started writing raps when I was 12, and I still have the notebook till this day. It’s crazy looking back at what I thought I knew to what I actually know now. I’m most proud of my ability to keep pushing. If I don’t know how to do anything else, then I know I have that. Also, if anyone knows my song “Juice” then they know I’m definitely proud of my streams, and the support that came along with it. I never thought that I’ll have streams in Japan, Africa, and London to name a few, and especially all over the United States. That song really helped me boost my music career, because I’ve turned it into an LLC.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way to support an artist is to actually support them. It’s so simple, but people make stuff so hard. Nowadays a simple repost can go viral. Even if you’re not used to something, but it’s catching your eye, then research it, and potentially buy it regardless of what it is. For instance; I may not like my peers’ music, but I will record them at their shows, and be a cheerleader. What I might not like I’m sure someone will. It’s a known fact that strangers will support you more than your family or friends. I can speak for everyone on this when I say, “don’t say you support me when you haven’t shared my post, or like a picture of my product”.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being myself, and learning more about me. I learn something new everyday; whether it’s regarding music, culture, or life itself. Doing what I love to do at my most peaceful self is satisfying.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/bh115d
• Instagram: bigbh115d
• Facebook: Mone’ Music
• Twitter: bh115d
• Youtube: Moneishiphop