Today we’d like to introduce you to Leylah Mon’e.
Hi Leylah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Leylah Mon’e, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I actually started my journey in entertainment as a dancer when I was around 12 years old. At the time, I was part of a group called Legit x3. One day, our manager encouraged us to start rapping, and although I was terrified, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. I had never performed with a microphone before, written songs, or considered myself a rapper, but I loved music, rhythm, and performing. That decision changed my life.
As I gained experience performing and creating music, I eventually faced a major turning point when the group went our separate ways. Becoming a solo artist was one of the scariest decisions I have ever made. When you’re in a group, you have people to lean on. As a solo artist, everything falls on your shoulders. Despite the fear, I decided to bet on myself and pursue my dream.
One of my earliest accomplishments came when I won a local audition competition that earned me the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and perform during BET’s Kids Weekend. That experience showed me that my dreams were possible and gave me the confidence to continue developing as an artist. From there, I began writing my own music, performing more frequently, and discovering my unique style and voice.
At the same time, I was growing creatively and academically. I attended Webster University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sound Recording and Engineering. Before college, I only saw myself as an artist. Webster introduced me to the technical side of music and completely changed my perspective. I learned how to record artists, mix music, run live sound, engineer sessions, set up microphones, and understand the technology that powers the music industry. What once looked intimidating—large mixing consoles, signal flow, and professional recording equipment—became tools I learned to use confidently. Today, I am not only an artist but also an audio engineer.
One of the biggest milestones of my career was releasing my single “Dance All Night.” The song was created while I was a student at Webster University and became a reflection of my fun, energetic personality. When it came time to film the music video, the support from my family, friends, and community was overwhelming. The turnout was incredible, and seeing so many people believe in me reminded me why I started. The video has since reached over 80,000 views, which was a huge accomplishment for me as an independent artist.
Throughout my journey, I have remained independent. I currently manage my own bookings, creative direction, music releases, and business decisions. While the road has not always been easy, it has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of trusting my vision. I have also been blessed to have supportive parents and family members who have helped guide me through important decisions in the music industry.
More recently, my faith has become one of the biggest influences in my life and career. Although I grew up in church, my relationship with God became much more personal as I got older. As I matured spiritually, I began re-evaluating the type of music I wanted to create and the impact I wanted to have on others. I realized that I don’t have to choose between making exciting, creative music and sharing my faith. My goal now is to create music that is uplifting, energetic, and authentic while also pointing people toward hope, purpose, and God.
Today, I continue to grow as an artist, engineer, entrepreneur, and follower of Christ. My mission is bigger than simply making music—I want to inspire people, especially young people, to chase their dreams, stay true to who they are, and understand that they can use their gifts to make a positive impact on the world. My story is still being written, and I am excited to see where God leads me next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has definitely not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who I am today.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced was transitioning from being part of a group to becoming a solo artist. When you’re in a group, you have teammates to lean on, share responsibilities with, and perform alongside. Stepping out on my own was intimidating because suddenly everything depended on me. I had to find my own voice, build my confidence, and learn how to carry an entire performance by myself.
Another challenge has been navigating the music industry as a young independent artist. There have been opportunities that looked exciting on the surface but weren’t in my best interest. Thankfully, I have a strong support system in my family who helped me make wise decisions and taught me the importance of protecting my creativity, my values, and my future. Those experiences taught me that not every opportunity is the right opportunity.
I’ve also had to learn how to wear multiple hats. Not only am I an artist, but I’m also responsible for many of the behind-the-scenes aspects of my career. From booking performances and creating content to recording music and making business decisions, I’ve learned how much work goes into building a career independently.
Another challenge has been balancing school, music, and personal growth. While earning my degree in Sound Recording and Engineering, I was also pursuing my music career. There were long days, late nights, and moments where I questioned myself, but those experiences taught me discipline, perseverance, and time management.
Most recently, one of my biggest challenges has been finding my identity as both an artist and a person. As my relationship with God grew stronger, I began re-evaluating the type of music I wanted to create and the impact I wanted to have on others. There were moments when I worried about how people would react to my growth and the direction I wanted to take creatively. However, I learned that success means very little if you’re not being true to yourself. Today, I create with purpose, knowing that I can use my gifts to entertain, inspire, and positively influence others.
Looking back, every obstacle taught me something valuable. The challenges didn’t stop my journey—they helped prepare me for it. They made me stronger, more confident, and more determined to continue pursuing my purpose.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an independent recording artist, performer, songwriter, audio engineer, and content creator. While many people know me for my music and performances, I have also spent years developing the technical skills behind the music through my education and hands-on experience in audio engineering.
My music is heavily influenced by my background as a dancer. Because I started my journey in entertainment through dance, rhythm and performance have always been a major part of who I am as an artist. I love creating energetic music that makes people feel good, whether that’s through hip-hop, pop, dance music, or other genres. I never want to limit myself creatively, and I enjoy exploring different sounds while remaining true to who I am.
One thing that sets me apart is that I understand both sides of the music industry. Not only do I create and perform music, but I also know how to record, edit, mix, and engineer it. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Sound Recording and Engineering from Webster University, I gained valuable experience working in professional studios, recording artists, mixing songs, running live sound, and learning the technical side of the industry. This allows me to be more involved in my creative process and communicate effectively in any studio environment.
As an independent artist, I have also learned how to manage many aspects of my career on my own. From booking performances and organizing music video shoots to creating content and building my brand, I have developed a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset. I am proud of the fact that I have been able to build a platform and create opportunities for myself while remaining independent.
One accomplishment I am especially proud of is the success of my single “Dance All Night,” which has received over 80,000 views on YouTube. Seeing people connect with my music and support my vision was a reminder that hard work, consistency, and authenticity truly matter.
Today, my work is evolving as my faith continues to grow. I am passionate about creating music that is uplifting, inspiring, and entertaining while also making a positive impact on people’s lives. My goal is not only to build a successful career but to use my gifts to encourage others, especially young people, to pursue their dreams, stay true to themselves, and walk confidently in their purpose.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a very bubbly, energetic, and positive person. I loved making people laugh, and I was usually the one smiling, joking around, and bringing good energy wherever I went. Even today, I would describe myself the same way. I’ve always had a big personality and a naturally upbeat outlook on life.
I enjoyed spending time with friends and family, making memories, and simply having fun. While I wasn’t necessarily the type of kid who wanted to spend all day riding bikes or playing outside, I also didn’t like sitting still for too long. I loved getting out of the house, whether that meant going shopping, visiting the mall, going to events, traveling, or just finding something fun to do. I always enjoyed experiencing new places and being around people.
Creativity was also a huge part of my childhood. I’ve always loved music, dancing, performing, and expressing myself. Even before I knew exactly what I wanted to do professionally, I was naturally drawn to entertainment and the arts. Looking back, many of the interests I had as a child eventually became the foundation for the career path I’m pursuing today.
Overall, I would say I was a happy, ambitious, and creative kid with a lot of dreams. I loved having fun, being around people, and finding ways to express myself, and those are still some of the qualities that define me today.
Pricing:
- Performing bookings: contact for prices
- Feature request: contact for prices
- Brand partnership & collaborations: contact for pricing
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leylahmonee._?igsh=amg5bDUyMnFsMHE4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/197th7Q1Bs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@leylahmone?si=BoxBL-e2BAPNx6mP
- Other: https://youtu.be/ik4rkhLDGUw?si=Yha3NpfFXMi-rln9
