HC: Where are you from?
NM: I am from the DMV. (Dc, Maryland, Va)
HC: How did you get started with rapping?
NM: When I was younger my brother and sister had a music group and they would always be in the basement rapping to instrumentals and one time I heard them and got super excited and told them I really wanted to join the group. My brother wrote my first rap for me in elementary school and by the time I was in middle school, I taught myself how to record music and I just started writing and recording my own music ever since.
HC: You were recognized by one of biggest hip-hop moguls, Jermaine Dupri. What was that like?
NM: When I saw that Jermaine Dupri tweeted out my video I was super excited. I felt like all of my hard work was finally payed off. I made the video with intentions hoping that he seen it but I never really thought about him putting it on his social media. Even when I received a call for The Rap Game it was just a blessing and made me want to work even harder.
HC: Whats the hardest part about being in the entertainment industry?
NM: I would say the hardest part about being in this industry right now is doing everything on my own. I don’t have a manger or team and I pay for everything out of pocket so it can become stressful sometimes but now I am getting further in my career and am learning a lot along the way. I feel that when my time comes I’ll be a pro and won’t even need any help.
HC: Who influenced you the most as a female rapper?
NM: I’m honestly inspired by any young artist around my age the most. Just seeing them work towards their goals and being in places that I want to be someday is an inspiration to keep grinding. My favorite female rappers in the industry are Eve, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, Remy Ma… im in love with old school Rap & RnB. I don’t even listen to what’s new.
HC: What is your daily routine like?
NM: My daily routine right now is being a college student lol. I’m in my first year of college so I’ve just been focused on that and trying to promote myself and perform as much as I can. But when summer comes I’ll be back to my weekly performances, interviews, vlogs, etc.
HC: I see that you were added to DC’s Litty Fest, can you tell us more about that?
NM: The Litty Fest is a big show happening in the DMV area with a lot of the local popular artist out here! It’s for the 2017 spring break and it’s basically a show for the youth. A great show with great performers and great music.
HC: What makes you different from other female rappers?
NM: Especially from the DMV area. I can say that I have a totally different style and flow from any female rapper in the DMV. I don’t rap about the same things, I don’t sound the same, I switch up my flows a lot, sometimes you won’t even know it’s me, but my creativity is completely different from others. It’s a few differences I can name, I even have people thinking I’m from somewhere other than the DMV because of how different I rap. I also dance, model, and am working on a clothing line. I’m not just a rapper, Im an entertainer at heart.
HC: Where can people find your music?
NM: You can find my music on soundcloud, iTunes, YouTube, and spinrilla.
HC: Would you consider yourself a rapper or a lyricist? If so why?
NM: I would consider myself a lyricist. I believe as a rapper that’s one of the main keys to have. Which is also why I don’t listen to any new school rap because it can be kind of basic. I’m really into battle rap so if I was to make a new school type song I would probably have a catchy hook but the verses will be nothing but bars and metaphors.
Fo more info about Nia Monae’ check her out on the following:
SoundCloud.com/pinkmoni
https://m.soundcloud.com/pinkmoni/sets/pink-bandit-the-ep
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjvW7jjVGJpG4A6d49TLtQ
Twitter: @IAmPinkMoni
Instagram: @IAmPinkMoni
Snapchat: beatmesis1
Google: Nia Monaé for more!