Monsta Monk

Bio Data:

Name: Simon Furaha
Stage Name: Monsta Monk aka Ngwande Ngwande

Town: Watamu, Malindi
Hood: Kidogo Basi
Genre: Hip Hop/Rap Music
Role model/Inspirations: R.I.C (APC) Nguchi P, Labalaa, Lost Boys, Mashifta & TABAKA

Projects: Staki Uzuri Mixtape, Mberera Ep

Achievements: 31st Cypher 7 & 10, Finali 2020 Eliteco Freestyle Battle Rap Kilifi County, 2019 Mshindi Wa Dhahabu Gwira Gwira Promo Freestyle Battle Rap Kilifi County

Business: CEO Ngwande ReherbliK merch.

Monsta Monk came up as a freestyle battle artist who used to do battle rap at Malindi Silver Beach during an event dubbed Hip Hop Beyond The Mic back in 2015. He grew up listening to Lost Boys, Gbteez, Tabaka, Majizee, Gangwe Mob, Coolio, WagosiWa Kaya, Ukooflani, Kalamashaka etc. He was drawn to Hip Hop by both his late uncle who was a DJ (DJ Luniz) and his cousins who formed the rap group Mashariki Safi in the early 2000s. He used to listen to them practice rap and that’s when he started writing his rap in primary school and was not even aiming to either record a song nor become a rapper.

He started recording in 2016 at Malindi Records and released his first track title Warawara followed by Deliver which did great and connected him raising Tanzanian music producer John Kimambo and recorded Hawawezani at Waka Records Watamu. The single did great and got air play from the local radio stations which enabled him to go for his 1st media tour at the Coast. In 2018 he released his debut mixtape Staki Uzuri at Beast Mode Gang Studios Malindi.

That same year he linked up and had his first Cypher appearance with the 31st Cypher (Cypher 7) produced by A-World & Sango Pro while the video was shot by Billgadgets and the rest is history.

He recently release his EP Authori$ed Dealer and is still working on another EP, Coast 2 Coast and his debut album Ngwande ReherbliK.

Welcome to Micshariki Africa, as we start let us know who is Monsta Monk?

Monsta Monk is an artist a rapper to be specific.

What's the inspiration behind your artistic name, Monsta Monk

One characteristic of a Monk is dedication. Being able to dedicate and concentrate on learning and perfecting a certain skill. Monsta (adjective: Monstrous) stands for how huge my desire is to learn & perfect some skill I find intriguing. Plus when I was young it was my hobby doing freestyle backflips, front flips trying to summersault like the monks I saw on Asian Movies.

Hence the name Monsta monk.

Let's talk about your latest EP Authori$ed Dealer. Give us a breakdown how the process of coming up with it was like?

The whole process was like an adventure, it was my 1st time doing a Drill/Grime project. Authori$ed Dealer Ep. The idea of believing in yourself that you were born to do this. Like the definition itself 'someone who is permitted to sell a product by the manufacturers' my manufacturer is God through my parents, I am the dealer who sells the product (music). In this case everybody is living off his/her talent is an Authori$ed Dealer... The features were not random, I had already done some projects with all the artists prior to this EP so I knew how they were going to sound on each track.

What's your favorite track off Authori$ed Dealer and why?

All the tracks on this EP are my favorite. The whole Ep is lit to me. I just put it on repeat mode and vibe to the music.

What's is that one thing that makes you feel this EP is one of a kind and it sets you apart from your peers?

The pure vibes…

How do you describe the music that you do?

Motivational. I like talking about the pain of the struggle and the beauty of hustle all together, keeping the hope alive.

What's your take on the current state of Kenyan Hip Hop?

My opinion about the Hip Hop scene doesn’t matter. But if we are going to continue creating and pushing our content through the right channels we going to win Inshallah!

Apart from music what else do you do?

I do some side hustles to earn my living

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Polling station, just kidding. Only God knows

Word to your believers, who have been there for you since day one?

Highly appreciate and respect my day ones twos and threes, keep on believing in me it’s a long way but we are going to make it.

After Authori$ed Dealer, What's next for you?

For now keep on streaming Authori$ed Dealer playing on Audiomack. I’m organizing to have my content will be on all digital platforms. More music & visuals dropping soon. Just keep it Ngwande ReherbliK.

What is your thought on blogs such as Musiq Jared and Micshariki Africa?

They are like the fresh breath in our Hip Hop industry. They keep the culture alive. It’s not easy job though but congratulations and a big shout out to all bloggers going the extra mile.

Word to Kenyan Media?

Keep it Kenyan always.

Who would you like to shout out and why?

My fans for holding it down against all odds

Your official social media handles and music platforms?

Facebook: Monsta Monk
Instagram: monsta_monk
Twitter: monstamonk254
Youtube: Monstamonk

Parting shot?

Keep it East. All good, Ngwande Reherblik every day, good music dropping. Always know the pain comes with both losses and gains

NGWANDE NGWANDE.