When referencing hip-hop, The Bay Area represents a growing and continuously evolving culture. It is constantly producing new acts and talents that sometimes, no matter what the potential, manage to fly under the radar. MondreM.A.N. is one of those talents. As half of Main Attrakionz, (Mondre and Squadda B) Mondre exudes an effortless approach to his writing. While many of his lyrics consist of weed influences, labeling him a "weed rapper" would be a slight to his craft and an injustice to hip-hop. His musical narrative not only embodies pithy word play, but he reserves the innate grandeur of assiduously captivating listeners. He is truly a modern day poet. He is an artist who one minute can keep you transfixed and nodding your head with veracity, contrarily, the next minute, have you focusing on every word, listening in a state of tranquillity. He is an artist of many faces. However, the Oakland rapper doesn't solely rely on his lyrical endowment, he also has the work ethic and project resume' to match. With a slew of works, solo and as a duo, MondreM.A.N. is putting in the requisite work it takes to cement his name in hip-hop. It's A Rap had the opportunity to find out more about this "Cloud Rap" affiliate and came to this conclusion. As new artists emerge and competiton grows stronger, Mondre is not only staking his claim, but demonstrating why he and Main Attrakionz just might be hip-hop's next main attraction.
IAR: How did you and Squadda B link up to work as a duo?
MM: "We met in 7th grade and we started makin' music afta' I got the idea to put a group together. We were fu*kin' with two of our other partnas' too, so it started as a group of four."
IAR: Describe your sound.
MM: "Relatable, Reality, Cloudbody."
IAR: Being from the Bay, how does that influence your sound?
MM: "Cuz' it stay rainin' game in Northern California."
IAR: How has staying independant been beneficial to your career, as opposed to being signed to a major?
MM: "Well I've never experienced bein' on a major yet, but movin' as an Indie artist gave me space and time to grow, and made me realize you gotta' grind like you're the CEO and the artist."
IAR: Artists you want to work with?
MM: "Hmmm..if I had a session today and had to call one feature, I'd probably hit up Sizzla."
IAR: Producers you want to work with?
MM: "I want some Mannie Fresh beats, especially some in his 90's stash."
IAR: Best project you've done so far?
MM: "Mane' I fell in love wit' that Chandelier Redux joint!" (Laughs)
IAR: What influenced the concept for "808's and Dark Grapes 1 & 2?
MM: "The concept kinda' died. It was supposed to be somewhat the same formula as Kanye's, but we took a loss with our Pro Tools at the time!(Laughs) So the first "808" were tracks put together, but that b*tch still came out raw! A lot of people caught on to that. "808's and Dark Grapes 2" was just like our first project, but recorded in a good studio."
IAR: Define "Cloud Rap."
MM: "History is still bein' defined as ya'll ride through this journey with us, but right now it's like elevated music, that 10 toes and a mood hoppin' in Delta Airlines, with the same music you recorded in a closet, probably high as f*ck that day, comin' out to a bag of chips and soda for dinner. Those nights when you look in the sky full of stars, but you see that one shinin' hard, ya feel me? CLOUD."
IAR: Future plans/projects for your solo career and Main Attrakionz?
MM: "Bossalinis and Fooliyones" next from Main Attrakionz. More solos from both of us too. Shout out and look out for my GreenOva family too! Shady Blaze killllin' em! Get ready for Dope G and LoLo too."
Follow on Twitter @MondreMAN
IAR: How did you and Squadda B link up to work as a duo?
MM: "We met in 7th grade and we started makin' music afta' I got the idea to put a group together. We were fu*kin' with two of our other partnas' too, so it started as a group of four."
IAR: Describe your sound.
MM: "Relatable, Reality, Cloudbody."
IAR: Being from the Bay, how does that influence your sound?
MM: "Cuz' it stay rainin' game in Northern California."
IAR: How has staying independant been beneficial to your career, as opposed to being signed to a major?
MM: "Well I've never experienced bein' on a major yet, but movin' as an Indie artist gave me space and time to grow, and made me realize you gotta' grind like you're the CEO and the artist."
IAR: Artists you want to work with?
MM: "Hmmm..if I had a session today and had to call one feature, I'd probably hit up Sizzla."
IAR: Producers you want to work with?
MM: "I want some Mannie Fresh beats, especially some in his 90's stash."
IAR: Best project you've done so far?
MM: "Mane' I fell in love wit' that Chandelier Redux joint!" (Laughs)
IAR: What influenced the concept for "808's and Dark Grapes 1 & 2?
MM: "The concept kinda' died. It was supposed to be somewhat the same formula as Kanye's, but we took a loss with our Pro Tools at the time!(Laughs) So the first "808" were tracks put together, but that b*tch still came out raw! A lot of people caught on to that. "808's and Dark Grapes 2" was just like our first project, but recorded in a good studio."
IAR: Define "Cloud Rap."
MM: "History is still bein' defined as ya'll ride through this journey with us, but right now it's like elevated music, that 10 toes and a mood hoppin' in Delta Airlines, with the same music you recorded in a closet, probably high as f*ck that day, comin' out to a bag of chips and soda for dinner. Those nights when you look in the sky full of stars, but you see that one shinin' hard, ya feel me? CLOUD."
IAR: Future plans/projects for your solo career and Main Attrakionz?
MM: "Bossalinis and Fooliyones" next from Main Attrakionz. More solos from both of us too. Shout out and look out for my GreenOva family too! Shady Blaze killllin' em! Get ready for Dope G and LoLo too."
Follow on Twitter @MondreMAN
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