Monaleo

Leondra Roshawn Gay, known by her stage name Monaleo, is a Houston-born rapper and singer-songwriter who burst onto the scene in early 2021. Raised in Missouri City, she grew up singing in her grandmother’s Baptist church choir and learning instruments like piano and flute, with early ambitions as a singer—not a rapper—after being encouraged to perform by her grandmother. Her transition to rap came serendipitously in 2019 when she accompanied her younger brother, Yung Rampage, to a studio session and ended up recording a verse herself. In January 2020, following a devastating breakup, she channeled her emotions into her breakout single “Beating Down Yo Block,” which sampled Yungstar’s classic “Knockin Pictures Off Da Wall” and quickly went viral, earning millions of streams and establishing her as a powerful new voice in hip-hop.

Monaleo chose her stage name by combining “Mona Lisa” with her childhood nickname “Leo,” embodying a bold, confident persona that multiplies her inner strength. Her style blends aggressive lyricism with soulful vocals, evident in follow-up tracks like “We Not Humping,” “Girls Outside,” “Suck It Up,” and “Body Bag,” which showcase her wit, empowerment anthems, and unapologetic attitude.

In May 2023, Monaleo released her debut album Where the Flowers Don’t Die, a deeply introspective project reflecting on her struggles with mental health, suicidal ideation, and intimate partner violence, while also displaying her versatility—from boom-bap and Southern bars to vulnerable ballads like “Sober Mind” and “Ridgemont Baby." Her follow-up, the 2024 EP Throwing Bows, continued her brash, energetic persona and featured collaborations with artists like Stunna 4 Vegas and Kaliii.

A vocal mental‑health advocate, Monaleo has been candid about her past anxiety, depression, multiple suicide attempts, and homelessness. She often describes her music as “music therapy,” and uses her platform to support mental-wellness conversations—especially for Black women.