Interview: The female dancehall artiste reflects on a challenging breakout year ("I lost my number 1 fan") and discusses her unique style and more
In the vibrant and electrifying world of dancehall music, new stars emerge all the time. The year that began with pain unfolded as Monifa navigates her path as a talented and dynamic artist, poised to become the next big thing in female dancehall.
Embarking on her musical journey from a tender age, Monifa found herself immersed in the vibrant world of music. Influenced by the diverse cultural tapestry of her upbringing, the rhythmic beats of dancehall became a source of solace and inspiration for the budding artist. "My musical journey, I must say, has been quite interesting lol. My mother shaped my whole career other than myself, of course. She used to wake me up in the mornings as a 7-year-old and train me by making me practice Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna songs until my voice could sing them effortlessly," the talented singer expressed.
"My mommy always believed in me being able to sing, dance, and act, and she definitely made me do activities to support her beliefs. I love my mama; may her soul rest in peace," she reflected on the deep emotional connection with her late mother. "She has really shaped my career. She helped me figure out what I wanted to spend my lifetime doing at an early age. My whole family is music. Even my father is an artist; he goes by the name Kananga. Miss Jean really has promoted me, managed me, and she definitely was my biggest fan. So what you see right now is a product of my mommy. Everything she has taught me is engraved inside. I thank her so much," she shared heartfelt gratitude.
The turning point in Monifa's career occurred when she garnered notice from industry insiders during a local music talent show. "Rising stars, I must say, gave me a crash course on what being in the music industry is like. I really can’t get over how beautiful it was seeing people show appreciation to me because of my talent," she reflected. "That warmed my heart and also motivated me to really push myself towards my dreams even more. There is always someone out there who really wants to hear or see what you create for sure," Monifa added with a determined spirit.
Love to be different (Photo: Shotbydeth)
The emergence of 2023 propelled Monifa into the spotlight, where she showcased her talent in various stage events, solidifying her distinct presence. From achieving the first runner-up position in "Magnum Top Performer 2023" to captivating performances on "From The Block" and the release of her EP "Eve," Monifa expressed, "This year gave me a shock. I lost my number one supporter, and I just feel like I owe it to her to drive full speed ahead until I hit the top. I’ve become more woke and focused on my goals though; this year has taught me a lot and opened my eyes to a more realistic point of view. The things I’ve managed to accomplish this year despite the challenges I'm facing, I must say I'm proud of myself. I'm staying strong and firm, and I love that."
Monifa shared her diverse list of musical influences, ranging from powerhouses like Beyoncé and Rihanna to the soulful Jessie J, Jazmine Sullivan, and others, including Fantasia, Spice, Doja Cat, Lady Saw, Vybz Kartel, Ikaya, and Buju Banton. "I must say I love fashion. I’m a Libra for crying out loud; I live for aesthetics lol. I’m not sure how to really explain this, but I just wear what I feel I’d look hot in and I just add a twist that makes it look less common," Monifa showcasing her unique approach to fashion. "I love being different; I was raised that way by a Libra mommy lol. My influences in my style come from Rihanna, Lil Kim, Aaliyah, Cardi B, the '90s Dancehall with a Lil Y2k aesthetic, and my mommy," she echoed.
Monifa alongside Davianah (Photo: Jamar Cleary)
As a rising talent in the dancehall space, she reflects on the challenges she faces as a female artist. "There are tons of female artists rising up every single day. I just want to have a brand that's unique and fresh so that when you see or hear me, you know that it's totally me. I don't want people to say that they've seen this before. I just want to have that wow factor about me," she passionately expressed.
As a rising talent in the dancehall space, she reflects on the challenges she faces as a female artist. "There are tons of female artists rising up every single day. I just want to have a brand that's unique and fresh so that when you see or hear me, you know that it's totally me. I don't want people to say that they've seen this before. I just want to have that wow factor about me," she passionately expressed.
"Social media really helps with me wanting to be different because when I post, I’m posting as Monifa, so I definitely need to make sure my image is always top tier, which makes my content top tier as well," she reveals, outlining her formula for maintaining her unique presence.
Her debut 6-track EP, titled "EVE,", is set to release on Friday, offering a blend of Dancehall Pop and RnB. Featuring collaborations with Gabra and Daddy1, Monifa expresses her enthusiasm, stating, "I really like it! It's refreshing to the ears. I know they're gonna love it!", she shared confidently.
"I just want to be iconic and remembered in that exact way. The GOSSYPERS can expect GOSSY"
As she aspires to collaborate with music producers such as Rvssian, IzyBeats, Di Genius, London on da Track, Timbaland, and Kanye West, Monifa also has a list of artists she would love to work with, including Rihanna, Masicka, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Doja Cat, Travis Scott, Drake, Sean Paul, Rema, and Cardi B. With a clear vision of what she wants to leave as her legacy in the industry, Monifa stated, "I wanna be written down as one of the greats, being a woman of color who has inspired generations upon generations to go after whatever they want because everything and anything is possible as long as they believe it and as long as their mindset is correct. I wanna have a huge impact on fashion and the sound of Dancehall Pop. I just want to be iconic and remembered in that exact way. The GOSSYPERS can expect GOSSY," Monifa promised.
