GlossMagazineOnline (GMO): Do you ever feel a need to integrate different genres together to make your sound stand out?
Casha Monet: Actually, I’m just doing all R&B because we wanted to give it that real urban feel. I’m really representing where I’m from in music, so it’s gonna be like all R&B and hip hop too.
GMO: Do you think that will affect your long-term career and success because most artists these days do seem to integrate pop and rock and other genres?
CM: Yeah, most artists do change over to pop, but I’m pretty sure people who are into other music will like [my music] too. And if you listen to a lot of hip hop, you will like that too. People who like hip hop and other [types of music] will like it because it has like flavors of all that.
GMO: What was the concept behind your current single “Gangsta?”
CM: Basically it’s about feeling your “gangster” dude and letting him know that no matter what you’re going to be there for him. And I actually didn’t write that one, The-Dream wrote it. But, you know, you’re a ride or die chick. You’re there for your dude, [even though] he’s not really a good guy. That’s what the song is about.
GMO: Is there ever a moment you feel limited in your creations?
CM: Sometimes I do have writer’s block, but I’ve been working with great writers. I watch them a lot, and I’m learning and getting better at it. Learning from them is really good for me because they’re so good at it! It’s real fluid for them.
GMO: When you started your music career, you were in a three-girl group called Candy Hill. What are some differences from being in a group and creating as a solo artist?
CM: With the music, you have three minds all on one song. So with all of our minds, one girl might not like a certain part, and we compromise and try to change that. But it’s just me now so it’s going to be what I write. I’m going to like it, you know what I mean? So I would say it’s not really easier because you do have more help, but I guess you’re just on your own terms. [There are also differences] as far as interviewing and stuff. You have to make sure you don’t talk over each other, but say if somebody does get stuck in [answering a question], the next person [in the group] has your back, so you have to be more focused as a solo artist.
GMO: Do you prefer being a solo artist more so than being in a group?
CM: I do.
GMO: How did you come about working with The-Dream?
CM: I had a meeting with him. I first met someone from Def Jam in my studio session to listen to the music and right away she was like, ‘I want her to meet up with Dream.’ So I had a meeting with him and I played the record for him and performed for him, and he liked it so he signed me.
GMO: Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to share?
CM: Well, right now the song “Gangsta” is released, and I’m going to shoot a video for that early January. I’m going to be releasing more music and maybe spring I’m going to start doing shows.
GMO: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
CM: Yeah my advice—what I did for myself—I never stopped. Even the things that went down after the group, and after “The Business” things slowed down for me—but I never ever stopped. I kept singing, I kept recording, I kept trying. I stayed positive about everything. What I would say is keep going and don’t let anything stop you.
