Ms. Monét: “Hemispheric” Vibez

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Ms. Monét?

My inception into music came pretty much as a natural family thing. It has always been a part of me and my family. Both my mother and father were deeply rooted in music, and the inevitable just happened. My mother’s a soul vocalist whose parents were Gospel singers and promoters in the Bay Area, and my father who was a supporting vocalist for Marvin Gaye and his mother an accomplished opera vocalist, being a vocalist myself was innate and basically what I knew I would do.

Now you’re a native of Oakland, CA, correct? So growing up in “The Town,” who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Yes, I am a Bay Area native; born in Berkeley and raised in both Oakland and Pittsburg, California. My strongest musical influences would be those closest around me, my mother and grandmother.

At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

The desire was always there. I was 15 years old singing in clubs around the Bay. But it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to go on a 3 month tour at 17 years old with Bay Area icons Huey Lewis and the News that I knew my profession had switched from a then student going to Chabot Collage to a touring vocalist.

How do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

I’m often asked that, but the word I’ve come up with is “hemispheric.” I’m a little bit of whatever I want to be. Not the R&B, Pop or Hip Hop chick, just a girl who loves to sing and can sing / do whatever genre well that it transcends globally.

In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?

I let the music speak to me. The music will always light your path.

So what particular sting of events led to your initial linking up with Paris and ultimately becoming The First Lady of his Guerrilla Funk imprint?

Paris and I go waaaaay back! Over 20 plus years. (wow!) A mutual friend of ours and vocalist, Claytoven Richardson, met Paris first while he was working on his Guerrilla Funk record. Looking for some female vocals to add to the mix, Clay brought myself, along with Sandy Griffith, to the fold and the rest is history. From that point, Paris and I just vibed. Years later, it became apparent that my vocal imprint became the layers to a lot of his work.

New music for 2021?

Yes! New music is waaaay overdue for me. I’ve released singles over the past years, but what’s most needed is a full project. It’s a must! I’m, as we speak, starting to listen to music and vibe it out.

How then have you either changed and / or evolved, both personally and professionally speaking, since your career began?

Maturation. The music business has changed so much from the days when I first began, that looking back I can see how far I’ve gotten. No way I could ever imagine that I’d be where I am now as a professional who has experienced what I have, developed the friendships with those I watched on TV and videos. It’s very humbling, and I’ve been very blessed.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

A feeling. Warm and tingly, honest…I want people to “get it” whatever that “it” is for them.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Good question…I’d say if I could collab with Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan I’d lose it! Why? The artistry and styling that both of these ladies had is beyond anyone’s imagination. Just to listen to them interpret music placements takes me to a place. Talk about a master class!

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

I’d love to sing at the Sydney Opera House…I’ve been to Australia and stood on those steps going up to it…and vowed that one day, I’ll sing there.

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

To sustain in this industry one has to adapt to its constant changing, and not let it overwhelm you. Create your lane, and do what is satisfying to you. Trust me, someone will understand it (to) get where you’re going.

Do you have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Yes, between Psychology and Interior Decor, I’m allowing my other gifts to surface. My goal is to become Dr. Monét.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B music? And, even more specifically, women in this genre?

R&B is trying to find its way back. It honestly never left, but the true essence of it became overshadowed by the more “programmed sing-songy music track” than those of real instrumentation and song subject matter. But, it is still very much speaking and artists are making their voices heard. This gives me hope. Especially the women, I’m hearing ladies more than before with things to say. I appreciate what they’re bringing in hopes that it sparks even more to stretch out and get back to that authentic singing that stirred our souls.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

I have a few…my 2 Grammy wins; one for my vocal involvement on 1999 Song of the Year “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, and a featured vocalist on 2016 Best Engineered Classical Album Ask Your Mama…but newest moment is a bucket list one…I’ve been selected to perform at the World Expo in Dubai! This one is a “wow” for me because I always said that I wanted to perform in Dubai as Ms. Monét, and it is finally happening.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

I see myself just enjoying life on my terms, how I see it. Everything is possible, and I’m here for it all.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Ms. Monét?

Next? Staying healthy and stress -free from all that the current climate is putting in our atmosphere. Working on some new music with Paris, my fam, Tone Capone, and looking forward to new collabs with other artists. I’m open to creating that organic magic and giving people what they’ve been waiting for.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Yes…a tad piece of MsMo history…I am the female vocalist on 3X Krazy’s Bay Area classic “Keep It On The Real!”

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Continue to support authentic artistry. As an artist, this is our “why” when we continue to write and produce; not just songs to be heard, but songs to be felt and understood. I appreciate you and thank you! And please follow me on all social media outlets….FB/Moniacs, IG/TheeMsMonet and Twitter/MsMonet