Monaleo Biography

Leondra Roshawn Gay, known professionally as Monaleo (pronounced "mon-a-lee-o"), is an American rapper and singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas. Born on April 24, 2001, she has quickly gained recognition for her impactful music and relatable lyrics.Monaleo was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice and later pursued a degree at Prairie View A&M University. However, she decided to pause her studies to focus on her burgeoning music career. Interestingly, she also attended mortuary science school with aspirations of becoming a funeral director.Monaleo began her music career in early 2020, releasing a snippet of her debut single "Beating Down Yo Block" in September 2020. The song, produced by Merion Krazy, samples "Knockin Pictures Off Da Wall" by Yungstar and was inspired by her experiences during a difficult breakup. The track went viral on social media in January 2021, accumulating over 3 million streams on Spotify and 3.3 million views on YouTube.Following her breakout single, Monaleo released additional tracks including "Girls Outside," which samples "Outside" by OG Bobby Billions, and "Suck It Up," for which she released a music video in August 2021. Her music video for "Beating Down Yo Block" has since amassed over 13 million views, showcasing her rising popularity in the hip-hop scene.On May 26, 2023, she released her debut studio album Where the Flowers Don't Die, featuring fellow artist Flo Milli. On September 27, 2024, Monaleo followed up with her first EP Throwing Bows, featuring collaborations with artists such as Stunna 4 Vegas, Sauce Walka, and Kaliii. Monaleo's personal life has also attracted attention; she has been romantically linked to rapper Stunna 4 Vegas, and the couple welcomed their first child together on May 21, 2023. She advocates for mental health awareness, openly discussing her past experiences with mental health challenges and suicide attempts.Monaleo is associated with the Stomp Down collective, which has played a role in shaping her artistic identity. She has built a strong social media presence, particularly on Instagram under the handle @themonaleo, where she shares her music and personal insights, further connecting with her growing fanbase.