Monaleo @ Columbia R&B Spring Fest in Columbia

About the artist

Monaleo, whose real name is Leondra Roshawn Gay, was born on April 24, 2001, in Houston, Texas, at the heart of Southern hip-hop. She began working in music sporadically from January 2020, teasing her breakthrough single "Beating Down Yo Block" in September of that year, which was officially released on February 24, 2021. With an aggressive and confident flow, she blends Texas trap, R&B, and soul elements, delivering bold, humorous, and vulnerable lyrics that tackle female empowerment, breakups, and resilience. Inspired by Houston legends like Megan Thee Stallion, Yungstar, Beatking, and Lil' Keke, as well as iconic samples such as Yungstar's "Knockin' Pictures Off Da Wall," Monaleo crafts a raw yet melodic sound rooted in Southern hip-hop heritage while delving into introspective intimacy.