Burmy: Hello and welcome back to Burmy's Industry Rehab, where yesteryear's rising stars get their voices heard again!  Joining us here tonight is a woman who started out in a girl group in Grand Rapids, but ever since she settled down in Atlanta she has been living her life well.  While she tends to stay low-key and doesn't take any BS, once you get to know her you'll see she is actually a good-hearted young lady who is determined to achieve greatness.  Please welcome the self-professed Mistress of R&B, (Mechanical) Monroe (Lewinsky) J. Nicole.  It's truly a pleasure to be interviewing you!

 

Monroe: Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to be here! Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity! It has been so long since we’ve actually spoken, how have you been?

 

Burmy: I'm doing very good, thank you!  The reason I used all these parentheses is because you are an international woman of mystery, going by various aliases throughout your life.  Which one are you going by now, just so I'll know?

 

Monroe: Hahaa! Well, after tons of grown and learning, I’ve decided that I’m officially going by Monroe Lewinsky BKA. Monroe J.Nicole. Even though, I will continue to answer to both names, the official name is Monroe Lewinsky! I’m a rebel and very outspoken, and mysterious and I might even be that mistress. *laughs* After a bad break up with my former management, I just knew I needed something new, so Monroe Lewinsky was born!

 

Burmy: OK, Monroe Lewinsky it is then.  You have had true greatness in you ever since you were at a very young age.  What made you decide that you wanted to start singing and make a career out of it?

 

Monroe: Singing has been apart of my life since I was 3. I grew up listening to Mahalia Jackson, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston and so many more of the R&B/Soul greats that my family started pushing me to go out and try out for solo’s, especially in the church! When I sang my first solo in church and got a standing ovation, I knew at 9, I was ready and born to be a superstar. I was so outgoing and charismatic at the age of 9 and when I sang, it was like I turned into a completely different person. My voice was very developed at a young age. GOD gave me this gift, so it must be put to good use.

 

Burmy: And thus far, I trust you've used the good Lord's gift to perfection!  A bit over ten years ago, you wowed the label execs at the 2004 Fast Break Demo Expo in Chicago.  What would you say it was about you that made you stand out to them, and what made them interested in your style and sound?

 

Monroe: Aside from my voice, I had the attitude, style, and presence of a superstar. Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely confident and I demand attention when I walk into the room. Also, when you’re gorgeous, everybody takes notice. I knew they looked at me performing and knew my look was hot, I sounded great, and my stage presence was incredible. Just give me a mic and I’m taking over.

 

Burmy: All the makings of a true superstar!  Shortly thereafter, you signed on board to the girl group Sugar Honey Ice Tea (I see the name sounds like something you'd be on board with), which was signed to Beatfactory/Arista.  For some reason, all information about the group seems to have disappeared from cyberspace, so would you mind telling us a bit about who the other members were and some of the music you did?

 

Monroe: You know, when I agreed to be in that group, it was more of a discussion with my former management, that this would be more of a come up. I had planned all along, to only do one album with the group and then I would leave. Being young, when your granted with a wonderful opportunity you never want to turn it down, however, I knew at the same time, I was a solo artist. I wasn’t meant to be in a group. We were actually a Trio and it consisted of Asia and Kole. At the time, I bonded much more with Kole, who was incredit. Both of the ladies were from NY and I was from Michigan. We were like the modern day TLC. We recorded a song at Redzone studios in Atlanta and it was actually a HOT record. I remember when we recorded; 3LW was down the hall recording at the same time as us. I honestly think the group would’ve been hot but sadly, we got cut when Arista dissolved. I was fortunate however, to be able to work with B.Cox, CornaBoyz and Memphitz on this project. 

 

Burmy: Now I'm REALLY looking hard online for any info about 'em...looks like we'll never hear that *shrugs*  Speaking of Memphitz, your group was one of his earliest endeavors in urban music.  Personally, I am not exactly fond of the guy, but I'll get to more about why later on in this interview.  What did you think about your experience working with him, though, and what kind of a person was he to you all?

 

Monroe: Memphitz was awesome! He was such a sweetheart to us girls! I remember when I flew to Arista Records and met him and had to sing, he was so energetic and thinking of a master plan for us! Very nice guy!

 

Burmy: *whispers* Wonder what changed?  Sorry, interviewers are supposed to stay neutral...back to the topic at hand, Arista later disbanded, with your group doing so not long afterwards.  You talk about how you developed a new sound and image during your time under New City Entertainment (best known as India.Arie's management team), how would you describe what your image was like during the time? (Again, archives of that seem to have disappeared from the interwebs)

 

Monroe: Very expensive! *laughs* No but seriously, it was a little more skin showing. It was very edgy, glam rock, and eclectic. I was constantly learning about how I was and my style continued to change and evolve constantly.

 

Burmy: I've never doubted your ability to do just that.  Eventually, though, you decided to take a break in late '06.  What was your time like during that hiatus, and what made you decide to get back in the game?

 

Monroe: Even while I was on a break, my management team was working for me to find another hot oppurtunity and I actually began to record. Many don’t know this, but I was actually going to college in 05’ through 06’ in Atlanta. All the while, I was recording with Oak at his studio. So in all actuality, I was always working.

 

Burmy: Working in silence...you were doing it before it got cool!  Now we get to where I first started checking you out, back in '07.  You were preparing your A&R demo, "Hello, My Name Is," and I was a writer for DJBooth.net, covering your lead single "I'm Leavin'," featuring then-ColliPark Music's artist Homebwoi.  How did this PERFECT combination of a Southern urban banger come about?

 

Monroe: Actually, someone that was on my team at the time put this together. Jay-West produced the track and originally this song was just my vocals. But, when presented with this opportunity, I was all for it.

 

Burmy: Homebwoi himself still thinks fondly of this song, as he posted it on his Bandcamp page recently.  I remember at the time, he went from playing second-fiddle to the Ying Yang Twins to playing fifth fiddle to Soulja Boy on ColliPark.  What was he like as somebody to work with?  (I may interview him for the site someday to get his point of view)

 

Monroe: It’s crazy, because we’ve never met. We had this hot song and he recorded his part after I had already recorded the song. I’ve always thanked him for hopping on my track however, because he is a dope rapper! It’s all love!

 

Burmy: I hear that's how y'all do it in ATL!  My favorite track from that demo is actually "Half Past One," which I have done various remix verses in my head to, as well as music video concepts.  What inspired that song (which should've been a HUGE hit)?

 

Monroe: I must agree with you, this was a HOT SONG and STILL IS. I still play this song out. Half Past One was actually produced by Oak. At the time, I actually came to the studio and heard the song and fell in love. I was dating someone at the time when I recorded the track and it was just such a perfect fit as it spoke volumes about how I felt when I was with my boyfriend at the time.

 

Burmy: Oh yes, being in love inspires truly symphonic sounds.  Personally, I think the original instrumental with Oak's drums, piano, bass and harp is better than Not Profane's synth beat and Young Roddie's verse.  What led to the remix getting far more popularity than the original?

 

Monroe: You know what, I think because I eventually started marketing the remix more than the original. I loved the remix. I remember playing the remix for my family and friends and they went insane. It was a banger and it banged in the clubs. People like someone to dance and jam to, so I could really relate when the remix took off more.

 

Burmy: Well, thank God for Broadjam, though; it's seemingly the only site on which I can find that original! *laughs*  Aside from YouTube covers, you seem to have stepped back a little bit from the music scene, though building up quite a following on your old Tumblr and Facebook pages (which, sadly I STILL can't get through or even comment on your pics because of that stupid friend request limit!)  What would you say has drawn such a crowd of people watching?

 

Monroe: My following is so big because of my confidence. I love myself and I’m not afraid to show it. I am not afraid to hold back. I grind for my supporters! I always have their back. When people hear my work, they want to hear what’s next and want to know what I’ll be doing daily. Plus, as I stated earlier, being gorgeous has its advantages :)

 

Burmy: I can see you have been BRIMMING with confidence from the day I started following you!  On your earliest music promo pics I remember, you had your hair done and makeup up with these expensive outfits, but once we got to know more of your life on these social media outlets, you looked almost entirely different, showing us that deep inside, you're a regular young lady just living her life and saying what we're all thinking, but many are afraid to say themselves!  How have you managed to stay real in an increasingly fake world?

 

Monroe: Family. Family always keeps me grounded and reminds me of whom I am. I don’t think many people know this, but my real name is ‘Whitney’. So, when I’m not in music mode, I am Whitney and not Monroe Lewinsky. Growing up, I have always been blunt and I always let people in on the real me and never anything fake. Once you start showing a person your fake, there not interested or in today’s world, they will call you out.

 

Burmy: Ain't that the truth!  Now I notice you mentioned right before I did this interview that you're going back to school now.  Would you mind telling us where you're going and what kinds of classes you're taking, basically the rundown of your school experience?

 

Monroe: Yes, the wonderful life of school! Yes, I am actually attending a school in Michigan online and going for Criminal Justice. My classes are mostly criminal justice and I am taking a theater class, which is really fun. I decided to go back to school because previously, I use to go for Fashion Marketing, but that wasn’t my complete dream, so I’ve switched my major to Criminal Justice. I love study this type of stuff. Always have, since I was a child.

 

Burmy: Really interesting stuff there...I've always had an interest in it too!  OK, I mentioned earlier in this interview that I didn't exactly like Memphitz.  The reason why is because of how he allegedly treated one of my favorites since her indy days in '08, the Leader of the Rebels herself, K. Michelle.  (Even the name is similar)  When I first found her back in '08, she reminded me quite a bit of you!  Yet I've never heard; do you consider yourself a fan of hers?  If so, which song would you say is your favorite?

 

Monroe: You know what? K.Michelle is my ‘BAE’ in my head lol. I love her. She is such an amazing talent and this is what and where we need to keep music. Real R&B/Soul, with REAL voices. When she was indy, I actually started following her. I love ‘How Many Times’, as this song still speaks volumes to me. I have all her mixtapes. Yes, K.Michelle is my ‘BAE’.

 

Burmy: My feelings exactly; I think that "Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?" proves that she's here to stay!  Moving on, I remember that you used to not be a fan of Rihanna's (because of your support for Chris Brown, which goes on to this day).  However, later on you had a change of heart and joined the "Navy."  What would you say you found you liked about her that you didn't before.

 

Monroe: All right, I must clear this up. I am only apart of the #Beyhive. *laughs out loud* This is the only set I rep. Everybody knows, Beyonce is my favorite singer. But I did find a liking for Rihanna. The way she evolved and her style had me hooked. Rihanna is like a walking goddess. There is no denying the woman is gorgeous!

 

Burmy: I can tell you two have similar styles!  Last question about the other artists: Which up-and-comers in R&B over the past five years would you say have been your favorites?

 

Monroe: Wow. I think this is really tricky to ask because I am extremely picky on who I actually listen to. I don’t think we’ve honestly had a new singer whose actually caught my attention. Most ‘new’ singers have to literally bring it. I mean, Teyana Taylor is dope- the chick can sang not sing. I actually copped her album. She is slept on. Literally. People don’t like real music but will listen to the bubble gum shit. I like Sam Smith, Tamar Braxton, Jhene of course. But you would be surprised; I listen to all types of music. Like, I love Ella Henderson and Meghan Trainor. I even just found out about Marian Hill and I love her music! Then I can switch it to J.Moss for my gospel. I love music. If you are talented, I want to know about you!

 

Burmy: I'm sure a lot of up-and-comers will be very interested in connecting with you now!  Back to you now; you've been working in silence on your comeback for quite some time now.  Could you give us some updates on when the fans should expect some new music from you?

 

Monroe: All I can say is 2015 is going to be a GREAT year. New music is definitely on the way. Early April, I’m hoping to unveil everything. I will be releasing a new EP called "228" soon, which is symbolic for my bday and my age! My golden bday is coming up and 2015 is full of exciting changes for me! I cannot wait to unveil it all and I really hope everyone who’s been patient with me, especially after taking my looooongest break ever, loves the new and grown Monroe.

 

Burmy: OK, now you got this longtime fan pumped!  Finally, what advice would you have for up-and-comers who are in the situations you've been in, dealing with industry politics and striving to make it on their own?

 

Monroe: Stay Humble. Be patient. Believe in you and fight for you! Period! Never sacrifice your happiness for anyone or anything. Don’t sell your soul to the devil and the devil is this industry. If I knew what I knew now, my path would have been extremely different.

 

Burmy: I could only imagine...but you make the best of what you got now, y'know?  Now before we go, could you give us a Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or any other social networking sites where the fans can keep in touch of what's been new with you?  (Or a booking e-mail for collaborators to get ahold of you?)

 

Monroe: As of right now, I only have a Facebook. The only way to connect with me is facebook.com/therealmonroelewinsky or you can email me at inquiries.monroelewinsky@gmail.com You can also hear music at http://www.reverbnation.com/monroejnicole and lastly if you wanna download my free mixtape ‘Prelude…Until Monroe Lewinsky EP’, you can do it at http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qw4ibvs9bvc9df8

 

Burmy: I will do that...thank you SO much once again for joining me at Burmy's Industry Rehab, and I wish you NOTHING but the best in everything you do, both inside and outside the business.

 

Monroe: As always, it’s such an honor doing this with you! Thank you for always holding me down! You surely will be the first to know when I drop the new single off my EP. Keep watching.