In a Snobette interview with New York rapper Donmonique (wearing those Shanka shades) and started off with her New York upbringing, with her explaining because she grew up in both Brooklyn and the Bronx, she doesn’t claim a single block.
On the topic of whether rap music misrepresents the criminal aspects of low-income and working class New York neighborhoods, Donmonique said rappers each tell their own personal story and like all story tellers there is a tendency to over-hype reality, something she realized when she visited Los Angeles and found out that weed wasn’t as readily available there as is implied by some West Coast rap lyrics.
We then asked to comment on New York’s changing neighborhoods and how that impacts lower-income people who have always lived here, DonMonique said New York has become safer but at the same time, the City has become much more expensive. “You need money for everything,” she said.
Speaking on the basic cost of the subway, Donmonique explained if you don’t have a lot of money in New York, you have to be strategic when jumping the turn style, lest you end up with an arrest warrant that lands you in central booking for the weekend even if a minor.
When asked if it’s possible for a female rapper to succeed without the co-sign of a male rapper, Donmonique pointed out that Foxy Brown did it, and added the game is changing for the better and it can be done, but it does require more work. And while a lot is being made of the advantages of being an independent artist, she noted her goal is eventually to be signed to a label.
It’s been over a year since she released new music and Donmonique let it be known she has a lot of new projects coming up. In an addition to the single “On Me” (which was released after the interview and can be found below), she is working on a four-song EP titled “The Project,” which will be followed another EP tentatively titled “Obey Your Thirst.”
