Earlier this month we checked out the latest EP from Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Zhanè Monique. Our team caught up with the gifted young performer to find out what inspired her to release ‘Legacy of an Empress’ and what else is in store for this rising Queen. Check out our Exclusive Interview with Artist Zhanè Monique…
Artist Fun Facts
One thing I can’t leave home without…. One thing I can’t leave home without is my Phone.
What is on my iPod right now…. My iPhone takes the place of an iPod. It has every song that I’ve written in my Notes app
The last album I bought was… The last Album I bought was Kehlani’s Album “You Should Be Here”
My dream collaboration would be…. My Dream collaboration would be to collab with Future. I think that would be extremely interesting and super fun.
When did you first discover that you could sing?
I first discovered that i could really really sing around the age of 11.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Some of my musical inspirations are Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child, Tasha Cobbs, and of course Beyoncè herself!
Besides some of your musical influences, what other factors have played a role in shaping your style? My Mother and Aunt played huge influential roles in my life. Before i started listening to any R&B artist, it’s was gospel everything!. They were the Children’s choir leaders and directors at church and also full time Adults Choir members. They taught me everything i know.
You have a very distinct sound though somewhat reminiscent to Beyoncè, how would Zhané Monique describe her music to a newbie?
I would describe my music as ambient and distinct. Sometimes the music that I like to listen to on a daily basis does influence the sound of my music but for the most part i try to come up with different sounds from other music genres and incorporate it into R&B.
How did your collaboration with Titus G. Productions come about?
I met Titus G. through an old classmate. He followed me on Instagram and asked if I would be interested in doing projects with people in the music business. I answered yes, we met up exchanged contact information and i started working with Titus right away.
Using 3 words, can you describe “Legacy of an Empress”?
Three words that describe “Legacy of an Empress” is Birthright, Ruler, and Rare.
How did you decide on the title for your EP?
I wanted my title to represent a Legacy. The EP Title had to represent talent that can be passed on for ages! With hard thinking, Titus and I just put two and two together and came up with “Legacy of an Empress”.
What is your track “Lambs Become Lions” about?
The Track Lambs Become Lions is about a group of people who were being mistreated and afraid to fight back or speak out about it. They finally built up enough courage to start a war fighting to end the mistreatment and would not stop until they succeeded. Until Lambs (babies or their up coming generation) become Lions (honored and worthy adults who fought for their rights). Adults fought for their upcoming generation’s freedom and that generation fought for their upcoming generation’s freedom until they were all free with equal rights.
If there is one thing that you hope listeners will take away from their experience with “Legacy of an Empress, what do you hope it will be?
I want my listeners to be able to relate and gravitate to the stories that ‘Legacy of an Empress’ hold. The EP is basically a book of situations that people face every single day. It’s about Love and passion, heartache and heartbreak, being the best at what you do, and never letting anything stop you from making your dreams come true.
As a young woman woman pursuing music, what challenges do you anticipate encountering in the industry and if any, how will you respond?
As a young woman pursuing music, I expect there to be lots of competition. There are tons of other female artists fighting to hit the top charts in the music industry just as I am. I am prepared for pretenders coming to persuade me into signing unfair contracts and rip offs in general. There’s a lot that comes with this music industry success… a lot that we do not ask for.
Do you feel it is the responsibility of artists to be role models for younger fans?
Yes, I absolutely feel that it is an artist’s responsibility to be a role model for younger fans.
We have checked out some of your YouTube videos and you can definitely kick out some awesome tunes, can your fans expect more videos from you this year?
You can definitely expect more videos from me this year on YouTube because a lot has changed over the years from when I last posted. That’s part of the reason why I didn’t post video often or back to back. I wanted my viewers to sporadically see the change in me and my vocal ability.
Besides singing, what other activities or interests do you have? Before I started singing I was a Teen model. I went to school at Barbizon Atlanta and attended IMTA New York. I occasionally did fashion shows in Atlanta on the weekends that did not interfere with school. I also started to pursue an acting career in which I did some work with J. Pervis Talent and later signed with a talent agent called TDH Talent where I received my first opportunity to be in a film called the “Choir Kid”, which totally related to me even though I did not receive the starring role
What other projects can listeners expect to hear from you in the next few months?
In the next few months you can definitely expect some upcoming and up-to-date youtube videos of my original songs and some favorite and requested song covers! Any words of inspiration for other young women looking to pursue music? My words of encouragement would be to “Buckle down and do what you have to do, so that you can do whatever it is that you want to do later in your future” that is what that my Aunt always tells me
Any words of inspiration for other young women looking to pursue music?
My words of encouragement would be to “Buckle down and do what you have to do, so that you can do whatever it is that you want to do later in your future” that is what that my Aunt always tells me.