Today we’d like to introduce you to Monsieur.
Hi Monsieur, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always gravitated towards music from a observers standpoint most of the times, I dabbled in it but due to my insecurities I’ve self sabotaged myself from actually learning what it is to be a music fan, especially learn about why R&B music is held so dear. I started young and never took myself seriously; it wasn’t until 2 years I started to become the little boy who was listening to Usher and Michael Jackson being heavily inspired. The only way I could contribute myself into music at first was through dance , the same way Usher and Chris Brown would and then one day I got so inspired by watching Maxwell and I decided that I wanted to be a R&B artist as well. However because I’ve pratically watched from the sidelines I realized how significant it was to learn about music as a whole so my first couple years literally wasn’t good at all, today i have those same issues
I didn’t know what to do, the vocals needed some direction but the things that became a obstacle in this journey was more so “ where is my head at, how do I vocalize my feelings “ That’s what R&B is , how do you feel about someone, how does it make you feel. The intimacy , the toxicity , the nurturement , affection, the climax all plays into the music. Me becoming a R&B artist has helped me understand these things, I can reflect on the many failed relationships, failed attempts, the ones I today desire. I sit in a creative space 24/7 so I tend to space out and think of ideas of the next song I wanna make or maybe the visuals I want to present. In me learning and maturing in emotional intelligence I was able to run across a group of people who was able to help me make the music I make today. I’ve always said before I started making music was that I want something to offer to the genre , and I want to be able to come in when it’s a good time too. I’ve realized people’s perception about it and in a weird way I cater to that resentment in my own way. Anything I’ve had put out or is to put out must be seen as art and not fast food for the future listeners I have.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road because I wasn’t self aware of where I was in life. I didnt have the best relationship with my parents or at least the one I wanted so I would refrain myself from being open about my feelings and emotions towards certain things, that alone has caused a lot of mistrials in my life or relationships. How that plays apart into making R&B music is that it became me holding myself back. I always and to a certain extent care about what others think but in return of the many bad things that has happened to me in many of my interactions is that I grew bitter , I became empty. I didn’t know how to express myself and treat the women I knew right or didn’t know how to handle situations correctly in good faith. When I started music it was rough because I was just doing things out of spite, and when I tried to really dig in I didn’t have the words for it. Worse of all I hated my own voice at some point , I hated that I didn’t sound like Maxwell and that’s actually funny as I’m saying this but it affects the creative process , I’m overthinking this and it shouldn’t have to be this way when im alone in that booth, it’s nothing but noise I live with , I early on carried that into the creative space.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a R&B artist. I believe what sets me apart from anyone else is that I have grit. I’m aware of many things when it comes to myself but I do know that I can really make diamonds out of scrap. My mind can really generate the next big idea and there’s many out there that doesn’t have ideas or unique ones to be said. Regardless of my insecurities I deal with alone , in front of everyone I will let it be known that it was always be me that comes on top.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Growth. Accountability. Change.
I didn’t think that I was capable of it because for the longest I never had the answer to why things happen in the way it does. If you put the average person in a room and they disclosed an issue they have going on it boils down to that person point the responsibility to someone or something but they never in that same light address the negative aspects to the situation that they pitched in as well. I now can sit here and be mature about life when things go wrong for me or right. I’ll tell myself or the person in this instance my issues and do my best to find a solution. Learn from that experience, grown from the experience and change your direction afterwards
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ombremonsieur
- Youtube: ombremonsieur
- Soundcloud: ombremonsieur
