Monaleo

Monaleo
Birth nameLeondra Roshawn Gay
Born (2001-04-24) April 24, 2001 (age 23)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2020–present
Labels
PartnerStunna 4 Vegas (2021–present)
Websitethemonaleo.com
Children1[1]

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.

Early life

Gay 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

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.[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

Gay'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

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Where the Flowers Don't Die[12]

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Album details
Throwing Bows[13]

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, showing year released and album name
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)
List of featured singles, showing year released and album name
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

List of non–single guest appearances, showing song title, year released, other artists and album name
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

Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Give Her FlowHERS Awards 2023 Herself The Self-Love Award Won [15]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Rodrigues, Ashwin (November 8, 2021). "When Monoleo Raps, You Want Her to Win". Noisey. Vice Media Group. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d Seabrook III, Robby (September 15, 2021). "The Break Presents - Monaleo". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  5. ^ "Genius: Monaleo "Beating Down Yo Block" Official Lyrics & Meaning". HipHopCanada. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  6. ^ Stewart, Shelby (2021-07-08). "Houston's Monaleo releases 'Girls Outside,' a summer revenge anthem". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  7. ^ Strauss, Matthew (2021-08-11). "Monaleo Shares Video for New Song "Suck It Up"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  8. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (2021-08-17). "Listen to Monaleo's "Suck it Up": The Ones". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  9. ^ a b Conteh, Mankaprr (2023-05-25). "Monaleo Survived Pregnancy, Depression, and Her Debut LP -- All at Once". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  10. ^ Medithi, Vivian. "How Monaleo fell in love with rapping again". The Fader. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  11. ^ Speakman, Kimberlee (April 15, 2023). "Monaleo Reveals She Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby with Boyfriend Stunna 4 Vegas". People. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Grant, Shawn. "Monaleo Announces New EP "Throwing Bows" Set for Sept. 27 Release". The Source. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  14. ^ "American certifications – Monaleo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Abraham, Mya (November 14, 2023). "A Look Into Femme It Forward's 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala". Vibe.