Monaky: The Rara Roro 1 Of Africa

Monaky is not your typical artist. With an attention-grabbing baritone voice and an interesting approach to his music, he stands as a peculiar figure in the ever-evolving soundscape of Nigerian music. 

Monaky has crafted a distinct sonic identity, blending Afrobeat rhythms with hip-hop and contemporary pop elements. His signature melodies and captivating storytelling enthral and hold listeners spellbound.

He calls himself the “Afro Broker,” a term he coined to reflect his unique ability to orchestrate sounds with the “finest possible melodies.” 

This moniker reflects his ability to tell stories and spark thoughts in the minds of his listeners through his music, using African sounds to connect with his listeners.

Monaky’s journey through music is as captivating as the sounds he creates. It’s a journey rooted in a childhood surrounded by music, a passion that has only deepened with time. 

Monaky and Music

He tells us he’s been in love with music since he became aware of himself: “I’ve always had an interest in music. I’ve always been drawn to music and melodies. Some people just love music. Always listening to music, my family was like that. My dad was a music fanatic; he loved Fela, and he used to play Fela back then.”

The album itself explores the power of honesty and everyday communication in human relationships. You should be more open and assertive to demands in life. Be honest about your dealings. Don’t be scared to speak your mind. There are times when you should be vulnerable. When you are wrong, apologize. At the core of everything, let’s be honest.

He cites the legendary Fela Kuti as an influence and was drawn to Fela’s authenticity and fighting spirit. And from the beginning, he wanted to do it like Fela. “I’m always about being real, and Fela was very real. So I just went, okay, I’d like to do it like this, this guy,” he says.

He also fell in love with hip-hop and cites DMX, Nas, and Nelly as influences on his style.

Monaky’s voice is the strongest element in his artistry. His soothing baritone voice punctuates the sonic atmosphere, instantly grabbing the listener’s attention. He then dazzles them with his captivating storytelling.

When asked about his journey to discovering his unique voice, he attributes it to the influence of Fela Kuti’s music. Listening to the Afrobeat legend’s music helped him understand his voice and the techniques he could use. 

I’ve always had an interest in music. I’ve always been drawn to music and melodies. Some people just love music. Always listening to music, my family was like that. My dad was a music fanatic; he loved Fela, and he used to play Fela back then.

The influence of Fela Kuti on his music is undeniable. It is why his audience at the University of Benin quickly gave him the moniker Fela Boy after he released his debut single, Very Lovely. 

The record caught fire immediately after its release. Monaky quickly became one of the hottest artists on campus.

Monaky’s breakout moment came with The Goat in 2021, a song that solidified his place as an artist to watch. The record was created based on an experience he had with a lady he encountered while he was relaxing with his producer. 

“We were just chilling, and someone knocked on the door. It was one pretty girl, and she was asking for a lighter. We’re like, what do you want to do with a lighter? She said she wanted to smoke. So we give her a lighter. And we are like, nobody is going to believe this girl smokes. That’s how the story goes. I’m usually inspired by what I hear and by experience. So I took it off from there,” he tells us.

The song quickly took off and became popular across the country. “I started getting calls. When you start receiving calls from everywhere, that’s when you know that something is happening. Different people start calling, start getting emails, like, that how you know you have a hit,” he says.

Music is a very spiritual thing to me. I believe I’m a vessel. I’ve been given a gift, and I need to give back. That’s how I see it. I see myself as a vessel.

Patient Zero

Monaky never let the success overwhelm or change him. Despite finding great success with The Goat, he chose to prioritise his artist development, waiting two years before releasing a full-length project, his debut album, Patient Zero. When we ask him why he chose that route, he tells us his strong knowledge of himself and his purpose for making music led to that decision. 

“Music is a very spiritual thing to me. I believe I’m a vessel. I’ve been given a gift, and I need to give back. That’s how I see it. I see myself as a vessel. My intention is not to test the market to see which one will sell. I know my music is solid and I put it out,” he tells African Folder.

This philosophy explains why Monaky chose to discuss the different experiences and everyday struggles of the average Nigerian on his debut album. 

On Patient Zero, Monaky combined Afrobeat and Hip Hop with Pop elements in Amapiano and Afrobeats, relaying the different realities of the average Nigerian and telling these stories from the viewpoint of one who has endured life on the streets. 

Candor

His approach to making albums defies convention. “Music is everything I do. I’m always in the studio. We just keep recording and get to a point where everything comes together. I notice this group of songs are telling a certain kind of story, and we put them together,” he tells us. With his latest Candor, he perfects this unorthodox approach, creating an undeniably brilliant album.

Don’t be a follower. Have a leadership mindset.

Monaky is deeply introspective on the album and explores the power of honesty in human relationships and self-discovery—an album that reflects both his musical evolution and his refusal to bend to industry standards. 

He tells us most of the album had been ready since December 2023, but he continued to refine his vision, recording additional records and adding the final touches throughout the first half of 2024. However, he had to wait until he was in what he calls ‘a high energy mood’ before deciding to release. “There’s this mode that comes with December. A high-energy mood. It’s usually when I’m on a high vibration. And your vibration determines the sound you understand. So I just picked a particular vibration and everything that came about. All the songs we made were telling a particular story and I decided to put together Candor,” he says.

While encouraging personal interpretations, he hopes listeners glean a profound message from Candor.

In his words, “The album itself explores the power of honesty and everyday communication in human relationships. You should be more open and assertive to demands in life. Be honest about your dealings. Don’t be scared to speak your mind. Know who you are. Cerebrals talks about having intellectual property. Don’t be a follower. Have a leadership mindset. Don’t just be someone who is anywhere. It takes nothing for you to invest in yourself. There are times when you should be vulnerable. When you are wrong, apologize. At the core of everything, let’s be honest.”