Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Monty.
Nicki, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love of music started at home with my mother who was a singer and a music lover. Growing up in a military family, exposed me to many cultures in the US and abroad in Europe. Listening to various styles of dance music, r&b and soul compelled me to learn to play melodies on my keyboard. I identified my passion at a young age and kept music at the forefront of my life. Living in Chicago in my teens, I was introduced to footwork, house music and different varieties of dance music. I always knew, I wanted to be involved in the music industry, but didn’t know how or what it would be.
For a period of time, I interned at Bad Boy Records under Harve Pierre and Conrad Dimanche in the A&R department at Daddy’s House. I met a house music producer from Chicago by the name of “Felix the Housecat”. From there, I got my first personal taste and introduction to the production side of house music. I fell in love and after my internship ended, I moved to Atlanta, got in the studio with Dj Brad and he put me on the MPC 2000 and a keyboard and I made my first house track. A relationship and children took my focus away from it for a period of time and 6 years ago, I got a program (DAW) called Reason and the rest is history. I released my debut EP in November 2017 and you can find it on Bandcamp, as well as all major platforms you can stream and purchase music. Now the work has begun. Production is my first love, yet I picked up DJing along the way.
In March of 2014, I started DJing and practicing at a fellow DJ’s house. I would go as often as I could, to learn about music, mixing, creating my flow and finding what music I like enough to play. As the years passed, I have come to figure out that I am just a house music lover, so I will play what feels good to me. Being a producer helps me understand what I want to hear as a DJ, so my mixes can be a bit eclectic and can vary, but all within the same genre of music. As a producer, I make deep, afro and melodic, deep lounge music. As a DJ, my agenda is to create an atmosphere of soulful healing through Afro, Latin, Tribal and Deep House music for dancers and house music lovers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggle has been me. As an artist, perfection is key. I was worried about perfection and time waits for no one. No one is perfect either, some getting out of my own way was the only struggle. Also, waiting for someone to honor their word is a waste of time. Keep moving and do not wait for anyone to help you achieve your dream.
Please tell us about Nicki Monty Music.
I am a music producer/DJ. I am most proud of my independence, my first release and what is coming in the near future. What sets me apart from others is energy, work ethic, being latina, a woman, producer and DJ in house music.
Contact Info:
- Website: artistecard.com/nickimonty
- Instagram: instagram.com/nicki_monty
Image Credit:
Usualsuspects.com, John Crooms Photography
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