Today's recommended listen isn't just about an artist and his solo journey from his musical group, it's about the entire entertainment establishment. I'm sure there's not a living soul in Long Beach who hasn't heard of F.L.I.P. The CEO's of that clique have evolved into something much greater past high school prosperity, making music and changing the name to what we now know as Beast GanG Ent.
I had the honor of interviewing one of the CEO's of the Beast GanG rap group, Money Monroe, and he filled me in on some detail of his rap style as an individual, and what else to expect from his popular clique-turned-rap crew.
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| Money Monroe |
Artist Money Monroe, who's real name is Jamaile E.M. Hampton, first started rapping at the age of 12. Rapping songs off of his tape deck at a young age, visualizing that one day he would be able to perform those songs in front of large amounts of people. Nine years later, Jamaile E.M. Hampton is still writing not only for himself, but other artists. He's now 1/3 Ceo of Westcoast Hip-Hop Powerhouse Group "The Beast GanG" whose debut album is expected to drop by June of next year.
Here's a look at the exclusive interview that I had with Money Monroe himself;
I know you're part of a bigger movement; Beast GanG Ent. Who are the other members of Beast GanG?
There's four rappers that form the group "BeA$t GanG". Three of which are CEO's, (Monroe, Bizzle & Boogie), then theres Beast GanG Ent., which is multiple independent artist under the same Ent. That's about 15+ people or so, all coming out with different styles of relevant music.
How long have you been making music with Beast GanG?
I would say for about four years now. We weren't always called Beast GanG, however. We were originally named after a High School [clique] that we were from (F.L.I.P.) and later changed the name for business purposes.
There's all types of styles of rapping. What would you say your style is?
UP-BEAT, EXCITING. How about REFRESHING ?
Is your rapping style different than the rest of Beast GanG's?
Most definitely. I feel being from Beast GanG [you] have to have a rap style like no other. It's as if being from this kind of establishment anything less isn't an option. So you better STAND OUT.
If you had to identify your music with someone who's mainstream, who would you compare it to?
OHH MAAAAN that's a tough one. "Who in the mainstream would I compare myself to"... I'd have to go with a few of my favorite artist on that. I mean, quite frankly, I feel to be in this game you have to have a certain uniqueness that makes you different from any other. People want originality, people don't want a Copy Cat.
Who would you love to collaborate with (signed or not)?
I'm not really one for the offering of other artist to hop on a track with me. There's times I view that as a weakness, due to the fact that I don't want people thinking I need other artist on my songs to make a good album or to come out with a hit. But there are times where I do collaborate due to the artist relationship or due to business reasons. But if I would have to say... then signed, I'ma go with T.I., Drake, Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Nipsey Hussle, to name a few of my favorites. Unsigned I'ma have to say I'm always open for any collaboration. Let's go with Cold Flames off bat, whether we do a song battling or a collaboration, but mainly just because 3 of their members used to be members from the high school clique that we started and once had our group named after ! Then let's go with Blaq Diamonds just cause I've heard some of their music and actually thought it was good ! How bout FAMxBIZ with a HUGE group collab? We actually have been talking about working on tracks in the future but nothing's final.
Where do you record your music?
Numerous places. I have different places for different sounds, with multiple engineers on the clock 24-7, READY to grind out another hit at any given time. I'd have to say I have 'em in Long Beach, Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower just naming a few.
How many singles have you dropped so far besides "When I'm Done Grindin'" and "On My Own"?
Just those two. We're actually focused on finishing up and releasing our group project, then our solos will follow after shortly. "When I'm Done Grindin'" was sorta like my debut single, and "On My Own" was actually another artist from Beast GanG's song in which I just harmonized over the chorus. We're working on the video for that as we speak and I will be dropping my second single entitled "ART". Which is kind of like a poetic rhyme expressing a man's Love for a Women and all of the ART over her body.
So you've been rapping since you were 12 years old. What in the world were you talking about at 12?
Lol lots of things ! I mean what else does a 12 year old rap about? I was rapping about crushes on girls and things I considered an actual problem in the community. In fact I once wrote this song called "Deadbeat Daddy" and it was a story of a man and his fears of being a deadbeat daddy to his child.
Who produces your beats?
Well to be honest I used to produce and still can for myself but I'm in connection with a few as well. I don't like to be left feeling as if I can't do the one thing I love most and that's [making] music. J Boyce off top he made my "When I'm Done Grindin" single and he recently produced my latest single to be dropped "ART". I also have gotten close and rebuilt my friendship with my boy B.Harris who has produced some SICK Beats straight outta' Boogietown Productions. Look out for him on a few of my newest Mixtape hits.
Where are some places that you've performed at so far?
There's four rappers that form the group "BeA$t GanG". Three of which are CEO's, (Monroe, Bizzle & Boogie), then theres Beast GanG Ent., which is multiple independent artist under the same Ent. That's about 15+ people or so, all coming out with different styles of relevant music.
How long have you been making music with Beast GanG?
I would say for about four years now. We weren't always called Beast GanG, however. We were originally named after a High School [clique] that we were from (F.L.I.P.) and later changed the name for business purposes.
There's all types of styles of rapping. What would you say your style is?
UP-BEAT, EXCITING. How about REFRESHING ?
Is your rapping style different than the rest of Beast GanG's?
Most definitely. I feel being from Beast GanG [you] have to have a rap style like no other. It's as if being from this kind of establishment anything less isn't an option. So you better STAND OUT.
If you had to identify your music with someone who's mainstream, who would you compare it to?
OHH MAAAAN that's a tough one. "Who in the mainstream would I compare myself to"... I'd have to go with a few of my favorite artist on that. I mean, quite frankly, I feel to be in this game you have to have a certain uniqueness that makes you different from any other. People want originality, people don't want a Copy Cat.
Who would you love to collaborate with (signed or not)?
I'm not really one for the offering of other artist to hop on a track with me. There's times I view that as a weakness, due to the fact that I don't want people thinking I need other artist on my songs to make a good album or to come out with a hit. But there are times where I do collaborate due to the artist relationship or due to business reasons. But if I would have to say... then signed, I'ma go with T.I., Drake, Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Nipsey Hussle, to name a few of my favorites. Unsigned I'ma have to say I'm always open for any collaboration. Let's go with Cold Flames off bat, whether we do a song battling or a collaboration, but mainly just because 3 of their members used to be members from the high school clique that we started and once had our group named after ! Then let's go with Blaq Diamonds just cause I've heard some of their music and actually thought it was good ! How bout FAMxBIZ with a HUGE group collab? We actually have been talking about working on tracks in the future but nothing's final.
Where do you record your music?
Numerous places. I have different places for different sounds, with multiple engineers on the clock 24-7, READY to grind out another hit at any given time. I'd have to say I have 'em in Long Beach, Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower just naming a few.
How many singles have you dropped so far besides "When I'm Done Grindin'" and "On My Own"?
Just those two. We're actually focused on finishing up and releasing our group project, then our solos will follow after shortly. "When I'm Done Grindin'" was sorta like my debut single, and "On My Own" was actually another artist from Beast GanG's song in which I just harmonized over the chorus. We're working on the video for that as we speak and I will be dropping my second single entitled "ART". Which is kind of like a poetic rhyme expressing a man's Love for a Women and all of the ART over her body.
So you've been rapping since you were 12 years old. What in the world were you talking about at 12?
Lol lots of things ! I mean what else does a 12 year old rap about? I was rapping about crushes on girls and things I considered an actual problem in the community. In fact I once wrote this song called "Deadbeat Daddy" and it was a story of a man and his fears of being a deadbeat daddy to his child.
Who produces your beats?
Well to be honest I used to produce and still can for myself but I'm in connection with a few as well. I don't like to be left feeling as if I can't do the one thing I love most and that's [making] music. J Boyce off top he made my "When I'm Done Grindin" single and he recently produced my latest single to be dropped "ART". I also have gotten close and rebuilt my friendship with my boy B.Harris who has produced some SICK Beats straight outta' Boogietown Productions. Look out for him on a few of my newest Mixtape hits.
Where are some places that you've performed at so far?
ALL OVER CALI ! From San Diego Clubs back down to L.A. ! Club Woodies, Weibers, The Oceanside Beach, The Airliner Club In L.A., Club Eclipse in Carson. And we're just racking up the totals, checking off the cities we will be performing at in the near future.
Do you feel that aspiring artists should have a backup plan that doesn't involve music? Why?
Most definitely because they're just that: "ASPIRING". Unless you have the type of music pushing sales like that to where you can financially support yourself, you're gonna need a backup until you get your feet off the ground. Besides, most people will tell you if that's why you're in it, then your in it for all the wrong reasons. And that you should be in it for the love of music and the lives you've touched and could possibly touch through your music. I'm tryna bring Lasting Lifetime Memories of the things you've did while listening to one of my songs ;)
- Personal Questions -
What high school did you go to? And what year did you graduate?
LAKEWOOD ALUMNI 07'
Are you still in school? If so, what school, and what's your major?
Yes. For Commercial Keyboarding. Monroe 101: You should ALWAYS be improving yourself as an aspiring artist.
Name three brands people can always catch you wearing. (shoes included)
Levis, Nike, Pro 5
Your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Do you feel that aspiring artists should have a backup plan that doesn't involve music? Why?
Most definitely because they're just that: "ASPIRING". Unless you have the type of music pushing sales like that to where you can financially support yourself, you're gonna need a backup until you get your feet off the ground. Besides, most people will tell you if that's why you're in it, then your in it for all the wrong reasons. And that you should be in it for the love of music and the lives you've touched and could possibly touch through your music. I'm tryna bring Lasting Lifetime Memories of the things you've did while listening to one of my songs ;)
- Personal Questions -
What high school did you go to? And what year did you graduate?
LAKEWOOD ALUMNI 07'
Are you still in school? If so, what school, and what's your major?
Yes. For Commercial Keyboarding. Monroe 101: You should ALWAYS be improving yourself as an aspiring artist.
Name three brands people can always catch you wearing. (shoes included)
Levis, Nike, Pro 5
Your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Cookies N' Cream
What's your Zodiac sign?
Clever Cancer
Are you single?
No. I'm in the process of working on an empire, sorta' like [what] T.I. & Tiny got ! :p
WalMart or Target? (:
WalMart. I just saw a really cheap laptop for sale that I wanted to get. I don't care if I become a MILLIONAIRE, two places I will continue to shop at is WalMart & The 99cent Store !
What's your Zodiac sign?
Clever Cancer
Are you single?
No. I'm in the process of working on an empire, sorta' like [what] T.I. & Tiny got ! :p
WalMart or Target? (:
WalMart. I just saw a really cheap laptop for sale that I wanted to get. I don't care if I become a MILLIONAIRE, two places I will continue to shop at is WalMart & The 99cent Store !
And there you have it. I loved interviewing him, his answers were so much fun. His personality is clearly evident in this interview, as it is in his music.
Listen to his debut single, "When I'm Done Grindin'", and be on the lookout for more from Money Monroe and the rest of Beast GanG Ent.!
Here's a list of other links to stay connected with Money Monroe;
