Monaleo has credited motherhood with making her a better rapper, revealing that her child with Stunna 4 Vegas strengthened her work ethic.
The Houston native opened up about life as a new mom during an interview with XXL, which went live on Friday (December 1). The interview, which initially took place in October, was part of the Cypher Lab and was meant to showcase women in Hip Hop and how their role has evolved over the years.
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During the roundtable-style chat between Monaleo, Latto, Maiya The Don, Flo Milli and Mello Buckzz, the topic of motherhood came up as the women spoke about the many challenges of being a female Hip Hop artist.
“I already have my purpose, but now that drive is like times 10,” Monaleo said about the motivation she gets from her son. “I hate that it took for me to have a child to be like, OK, now I really gotta get my ass up. ’Cause I was lazy…Now it’s like every day I clock in because it’s not on me no more.”
Back in May, the rising rapper took to Instagram to celebrate the arrival of her newborn baby. Although a name and gender weren’t revealed at the time of the birth, subsequent posts on Monaleo’s social media revealed that she’d had a son.
In the initial post, the new mama shared a brief video clip in which she can be seen submersed in a pool while surrounded by a midwife and doulas after delivering her newborn baby via natural water birth.
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“In the midst of dropping my first project i’m celebrating the birth of my sweet baby [four teary eye emojis] 48 hour labor and a natural water birth . NO EPIDURAL!!!!!!” she wrote in the caption.
“[I] was debating on sharing this but this my greatest accomplishment. [A]bove any accolade. [I’m] so so so so so grateful for the amazing women in my life who i appointed to be my doulas and my wonderful midwife @midwifekatina for taking care of me on my maternal journey.”
Monaleo (real name Leondra Roshawn Gay) also took a moment to thank the father of her child, Stunna, for being her rock.
“To my best friend @stunna4vegas thank you for supporting me, uplifting me, catering to my every need,” she added. “Always putting me first and always encouraging me to reach heights [I] never thought [I] could. [I’m] so glad we got to share this beautiful experience together. [I] love you more than life!!!!!!! [heart emoji].”
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In closing, the proud mom offered some heartfelt words for her “sweet baby.”
“To my sweet baby: you had the happiest most amazing birth days . [W]elcome to the world. [I] cant wait for you to experience it. [The] good and the bad,” she wrote. “[I] can’t wait to create the safest space for you to be the super nova you are. mama loves you stinky [teary eye, baby and star emojis].”
