Today we’d like to introduce you to Mumen Ngenge.
Hi Mumen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Mumen Kimlecia Ngenge, which is a West African name , it means Pure, and in certain cultures it means “Believer “ I am named after my dear late grandmother and I wear the name with pride. However, I am affectionately known by family and the industry as “Mookie” I am a trained vocalist, wardrobe stylist, children’s book author and I have a non-profit for teen girls called “ Heirborn Charities Inc.” My journey started in a children’s choir at my home church around the age of 5. I went to Hampton University majored in music, graduated with honors and then went to a conservatory in NY for musical theater called AMDA. I then started traveling all around the world doing bgvs for a major award-winning artist like Stevie Wonder, Tye Tribbett, George Duke, Kanye West, Kim Burrell, and more.
Once a year, I do a really big closet giveaway for my non-profit where I am able to give 250-300 girls free clothing, I’ve had artist friends like Michelle Williams (Destiny Child), Coko Clemons from SWV and Goo Goo Atkins donate. From there, my love for all things Disney and musical theater inspired me to start creating unique arrangements of some of the classics mixing the tunes with gosepl/soul touch. My videos started going viral, starting with Missy Elliot reposting, saying how much she loved my tone and my creative way to mix genres in my melodic approach. I was then posted on the shade room, receiving nearly two million views. My followers and friends are aggressively supporting my dream and campaign to land a contract with Disney. Overall I am fashion, glam, creativity, music and dreamy w/edge all in one package 🙂 I call the sound “Disney meets worship.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not necessarily easy and smooth, but the journey has been beautiful. I’ve dealt with a lot of issues surrounding not being okay with my uniqueness. Starting with My name and the tone of my voice they are both so unique, and as a child it was rough. In the beginning, I disliked them both, it wasn’t until the last five years of my life that I completely embraced all of me. I also had terrible, terrible stage fright, I couldn’t hold down food before a performance and I would have so much anxiety I would cancel events or pretend I was unavailable. I’ve also had a lot of trades and jobs over the years. Because I am multi-talented, it was hard figuring out what to focus on first. I’ve been a makeup artist, designer , wardrobe stylist, vocalist , and an actress, I use to be insecure about it. People would call me all over the place. Now I just joke back and say “I may be all over the place but so are my CHECKS 🙂. I just look at it like God was training me from a young age to underage s multiple streams of income AMEN ! overtime God began to reveal when I should be concentrating on which craft and I’ve been following his lead ever since.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Vocalist, a Wardrobe Stylist whose work has been on Jimmy Fallon, BET, TBN, and Good Morning America. I am a Creative Director , currently creative director for youth ministry at Spirit of Faith Christian center. I get to write productions that Include puppets a lot of costuming, and a lot of fun. I am the Founder of a Non Profit Organization called Heirborn Charities inc, I’m able to pour into the lives of young teen girls all around the world. I have a children’s book called “ Especially Me Coloring & Activity Journal “ that was created to boost confidence and help the reader discover all the things that make them special and unique. I would say that over the years I’ve come to be Known For my unique tone, runs, vocal range, and my Sense of fashion. It’s amazing how far I’ve come, can you believe I use to only be able to sing in front of people turned around facing a wall?!
What sets me apart from most people is my versatility, not just in my sound and look but also in my platform. I love fashion, but I also love documentaries, I love jazz, but I also love country music. I’m half west. African but I love and can connect with all cultures . Also, I’m a dark skin woman, but I have worn and rocked almost all hair colors! And as glam as I am I also love love love animals,
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I would define success as absolute happiness from within, being in complete alignment with your purpose and with the resources to help fund the vision all at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Email: 1mookstar@gmail.com
- Website: shop.mkngenge.com
- Instagram: 1mookstar
- Facebook: Mookie K. Ngenge
- Twitter: 1mookstar
- Youtube: 1mookstar
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/7n9y7VYJ6g8er4eg7
Image Credits
Peculiar Images By RJ
