Monaleo

Monaleo
Monaleo in 2025
Monaleo in 2025
Background information
Born
Leondra Roshawn Gay

(2001-04-24) April 24, 2001 (age 25)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2020–present
Labels
Spouse
​
(m. 2025)​
Children1
Websitethemonaleo.com

Leondra Roshawn Caldwell (née Gay; born April 24, 2001), known by her stage name Monaleo (/ˌmoʊnəˈliːoʊ/ MOH-nuh-LEE-oh), is an American rapper and songwriter. She gained recognition in early 2021 for her single "Beating Down Yo Block".

Early life

Gay was born on April 24, 2001 and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, located in Houston. She was in pursuit of a degree in mortuary science at Prairie View A&M University before putting her studies on pause due to her musical career.

Career

Gay began working in music intermittently since January 2020. In September 2020, she released a snippet of her debut single "Beating Down Yo Block" with producer Merion Krazy. The song samples "Knockin Pictures Off da Wall" by Yungstar and was written while she was struggling with a bad breakup. The song went viral on social media in January 2021, gaining over 3 million streams on Spotify and 3.3 million views on the music video on YouTube. Monaleo later released the singles "Girls Outside" and "Suck It Up", the former of which samples "Outside" by OG Bobby Billions. In August 2021, Gay released a music video for the single, "Suck It Up". She released the single "We Not Humping" in December 2021; She raps over a southern hip hop beat. a remix of the song featuring Flo Milli was released in April 2022.

On May 26, 2023, she released her debut studio album, Where the Flowers Don't Die, featuring a guest appearance from Flo Milli. On September 27, 2024, Gay released her first EP, Throwing Bows, featuring guest appearances from Stunna 4 Vegas, Sauce Walka, Kaliii, and other artists. She released her second album, Who Did the Body, on October 17, 2025. She embarked on a North American tour in support of the album, but rescheduled multiple tour dates following a medical emergency. The album featured the single "Putting Ya Dine"; a remix of the song featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again was released in October 2025. She supported Summer Walker's Still Finally Over It Tour in 2026 alongside Odeal. The Houston City Council proclaimed April 24, 2026 as "Leondra Roshawn Caldwell Day". She featured on a remix of the Trim song "Nobody" alongside G Herbo which was released in July 2026.

Gay is represented by the Stomp Down collective.

Personal life

Gay has stated she is bisexual.

Gay's younger brother is rapper Yung Rampage. She has publicly shared about her past suicide attempts and mental health. In May 2023, Gay gave birth to her first child with partner Stunna 4 Vegas. Gay and Caldwell engaged in 2023 and married on September 19, 2025.

In March 2026, she suffered from "an inflamed cyst the size of a softball"; during emergency surgery, an ovary and fallopian tube were removed. She was diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

She is a supporter of the BDS movement.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Where the Flowers Don't Die
Who Did the Body
  • Released: October 17, 2025
  • Label: Stomp Down, Columbia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
Throwing Bows
  • Released: September 27, 2024
  • Label: Stomp Down, The Orchard
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.
 US
R&B/HH
"First Draft Pick" 2020 —— Non-album single
"Beating Down Yo Block" 2021 —— Where the Flowers Don't Die
"Girls Outside" —— Non-album singles
"Suck It Up" ——
"We Not Humping"
(solo and remix with Flo Milli)		 ——
  • RIAA: Gold
"Body Bag" 2022 ——
"Miss U Already"
(with NoCap)		 ——
"Ridgemont Baby" 2023 —— Where the Flowers Don't Die
"Sober Mind (A Colors Show)" ——
"Ass Kickin'" ——
"I <3 My N***a" —— Non-album singles
"Crying on Your Birthday" ——
"Don Who Leo" 2024 —— Throwing Bows
"Ranchero" —— Non-album single
"Passenger Princess (Jibbitz)"
(featuring Stunna 4 Vegas)		 —— Throwing Bows
"Flush Em"
(featuring Kaliii)		 ——
"Putting Ya Dine"

(solo and remix with YoungBoy Never Broke Again)

 2025 828 Who Did the Body
"Everythang Pinka"
(featuring Teezo Touchdown)		 2026 TBA
List of featured singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Certifications Album
"Family Ties"
(Yung Rampage featuring Monaleo)		 2020 Non-album singles
"Lock It Down"
(DJ Chose featuring Monaleo)		 2021
"Bald Head Bitch"
(Muni Long featuring Monaleo)
"You Mad"
(Josh Mercy featuring Monaleo)
"Matta & Mona"
(Yung Matta featuring Monaleo)		 2022
"Hands Up"
(Tay Money featuring Monaleo)
"Hot Girl"
(Fmb Ty featuring Monaleo and Jeezmino)
"Scary"
($hyne featuring Monaleo)		 Who These Rap Niggas Wanna Be Like
"Bed Time"
(Flo Milli featuring Gloss Up and Monaleo)		 2023 You Still Here, Ho? (Extended)
"Top Notch"
(Mahoney featuring Monaleo)		 Non-album singles
"Big One"
(Kaliii featuring Monaleo)		 2024
"Saint"
(K Carbon featuring Monaleo)
"Problems"
(Yung Al featuring Monaleo)		 No Hard Feelings
"I Can't Lie"
(Bun B & Cory Mo featuring Monaleo & Scotty ATL)		 2025 Way Mo Trill
"Yunnnn Wemix"
(Stunna 4 Vegas featuring Monaleo)		 Non-album singles

Guest appearances

List of non–single guest appearances, showing song title, year released, other artists and album name
Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Jammin' Screwnem" 2021 GasGang Youngin, OMB Bloodbath, Guapo Be Someone: HoUSton Population
"Real Problems" Yung Al I Am Yung
"Cee Cee" Maxo Kream Weight of the World
"Apply Pressure" Money Stoffice Gullyside Wayz
"Introvert" JohnDee Livestindacity
"Serious" 2022 Rizzoo Rizzoo Racks and Revenge
"Stick On Me" KCG Josh, Maxo Kream The Book of Joshua
"Pop Like" 2023 DJ Chose, KenTheMan, Tay Money Be Someone: Texas Population
"Don't Worry" That Mexican OT, Lil Jairmy, OTB Fastlane, LilCJ Kasino, Quin NFN
"Hol Up" Propain, BeatKing, That Mexican OT Made from Scratch
"Neva" 2024 Flo Milli Fine Ho, Stay
"PTP Remix" 2025 Babyfxce E M Block
"Move Pt. 2" Mello Buckzz Hollyhood
"285" Anycia Grady Baby
"Can't Stand Me" Saucy Santana Haute Sauce
"She Don't Wanna Talk" Cash Kidd, Ethan Marc How Ironic
"Baller" Summer Walker, GloRilla, Sexyy Red Finally Over It
"Standing O" 2026 Mike Will Made It, Travis Porter R3set

Awards and nominations

Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Give Her FlowHERS Awards 2023 Herself The Self-Love Award Won
NAACP Image Awards 2026 Herself Outstanding New Artist Won
American Music Awards 2026 Herself Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist Won
BET Awards 2026 Herself Best New Artist Nominated
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 Eustice, Kyle (2025-08-20). "Monaleo on Being a Top Lyricist, Saving Lives, the Pressures on Women in Rap and Shifting Her Mindset in 2025". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  2. ↑ Rodrigues, Ashwin (November 8, 2021). "When Monoleo Raps, You Want Her to Win". Noisey. Vice Media Group. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. 1 2 D'Souza, Shaad (2022-12-30). "Monaleo: the Texas rapper moving from body bags and breakups to killer bars". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  4. 1 2 Stewart, Shelby (May 28, 2021). "Houston's rising female rapper Monaleo earns a spot on Rolling Loud lineup". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Seabrook III, Robby (September 15, 2021). "The Break Presents - Monaleo". XXL. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  6. ↑ Stewart, Shelby (2021-07-08). "Houston's Monaleo releases 'Girls Outside,' a summer revenge anthem". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  7. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (2021-08-11). "Monaleo Shares Video for New Song "Suck It Up"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  8. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (2021-08-17). "Listen to Monaleo's "Suck it Up": The Ones". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  9. ↑ Helfand, Raphael (December 3, 2021). "Monaleo sets the record straight with "We Not Humping"". The Fader. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ Cho, Regina (May 5, 2025). "Monaleo taps Flo Milli for her official remix of "We Not Humping"". Revolt. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ Conteh, Mankaprr (2023-05-25). "Monaleo Survived Pregnancy, Depression, and Her Debut LP -- All at Once". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  13. ↑ Medithi, Vivian (2024-09-27). "How Monaleo fell in love with rapping again". The Fader. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  14. ↑ Williams, Aaron (2025-10-17). "Monaleo Links Up With Houston Legends On 'Who Did The Body?' Mixtape". Uproxx. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  15. ↑ Rogers, Karlie (Oct 22, 2025). "Monaleo Expands North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  16. ↑ Centeno, Tony M. (Mar 3, 2026). "Monaleo Reschedules Upcoming Shows After Suffering From Medical Emergency". JAM'N 107.5. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  17. ↑ Spencer, Tallie (October 31, 2025). "Puttin Ya Dine Remix - Song by Monaleo Featuring NBA Youngboy". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  18. ↑ Suskind, Alex (2026-01-22). "Summer Walker Announces Tour With Monaleo and Odeal". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  19. ↑ Djan, Nhari (2026-04-26). "Monaleo honored with holiday by the city of Houston". TheGrio. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  20. ↑ Spencer, Tallie (July 24, 2026). "Nobody (Remix) – Song by Trim, Monaleo & G Herbo". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  21. ↑ @themonaleo (May 2, 2021). "Somebody asked me how I felt about the lgbtq community. Babe im literally bisexual 😭😭😭lmfaoooooooo" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2026 – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Murrell, Morgan (March 7, 2024). "Monaleo Talks Willow Smith Making Her Feel Seen, Advocating For Mental Health, And Safe LGBTQ Spaces". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
  23. ↑ Centeno, Tony M. (Oct 15, 2025). "Monaleo & Stunna 4 Vegas Explain Why They Livestreamed Their Wedding". Channel 955. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  24. ↑ Fisher, Caroline (May 27, 2023). "Monaleo Gave Birth Right Before The Release Of Debut Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  25. ↑ Corrine, Amber (2025-09-22). "Monaleo And Stunna 4 Vegas Tie The Knot At Lavish Pink Wedding Ceremony". Vibe. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  26. ↑ Trapp, Malcolm (2026-03-04). "Sending love: Monaleo fans flood social media with prayers and encouragement after she reveals emergency surgery". Revolt. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  27. ↑ Trapp, Malcolm (2026-07-02). ""I really could've died this year": Monaleo opens up about ongoing recovery from scary PMOS/PCOS health battle". Revolt. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  28. ↑ Epstein, Hannah (2024-05-16). "As "The People's College for the Liberation of Palestine" Draws to a Close, Students Reflect on May Day 2024". The Bi-College News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  29. ↑ Ushe, Naledi (25 May 2023). "If you don't get Monaleo, she says you're not listening: 'It really gets under my skin'". USA Today. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  30. ↑ Grant, Shawn (13 September 2024). "Monaleo Announces New EP "Throwing Bows" Set for Sept. 27 Release". The Source. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  31. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of November 15, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of November 22, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  33. ↑ "American certifications – Monaleo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  34. ↑ Darroch, Kelly (2026-05-29). "Staff Picks: Best Songs of the Week May 23rd - May 29th". Consequence. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  35. ↑ Abraham, Mya (November 14, 2023). "A Look Into Femme It Forward's 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala". Vibe.
  36. ↑ Grein, Paul (2026-01-12). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  37. ↑ McClellan, Jennifer; Mulroy, Clare (May 25, 2026). "American Music Awards complete winners list". USA Today. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  38. ↑ Grein, Paul (2026-05-19). "Cardi B Leads 2026 BET Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-06-17.