In the heart of Alabama, there’s a rhythm that’s raw, soulful, and unfiltered — a sound that’s just as much grit as it is growth. That sound has a name: Montye.
Born Vonterril Lamont Sellers Jr., Montye’s story starts in Hayneville, a small Black country town where life moves at its own pace. From there, he made his way to Montgomery, Alabama, better known to locals as “Da Gump.” That move changed everything. The shift from country quiet to city chaos gave Montye two perspectives — one rooted in simplicity and another sharpened by survival. Both live in his music.
Now stationed in Houston, Texas, Montye carries Da Gump with him everywhere. His mission? To redefine the sound of Montgomery and put it on the map through storytelling that’s personal, layered, and full of meaning.
“I’m not just rapping about what I’ve been through,” Montye says. “I’m telling stories about growth — mine, my people’s, and my city’s.”
Montye’s sound is shaped by a tight-knit collective of creatives who share that same drive: artists like 1nfinit3, RomanDaKing, BlueRxse, Jazzmin Pride, and Louphoria; and producers such as Space King, TDeezy, and Nxsan. Together, they’re building something real — a new wave coming straight out of Alabama, one rooted in authenticity and community.
One of Montye’s defining tracks, “Mondaze,” tells the story of a friend who survived a shooting on the way home from work — a haunting reflection on Montgomery’s struggles and resilience. “It’s deeper than music,” he says. “It’s about what people are actually living through.”
Despite the challenges — from losing his grandfather to balancing jobs, college, and recovery from a totaled car — Montye stayed locked in. He taught himself vocal production, mixing, and mastering, with help from his collaborator 1nfinit3, turning every obstacle into fuel for his craft.
Now, with over 3,000 monthly listeners and performances across Atlanta and Alabama, Montye is gearing up to drop his most ambitious project yet — “E Shirley Lane (ESL)”. The tape, dropping New Year’s Day, will feature 10 tracks, led by the single “Just A Fr13nd.”
“E Shirley Lane is where I’m from, but it’s also who I’ve become,” Montye explains. “It’s my growth in sound, life, and spirit — all in one tape.”
He’s more than a rapper. More than an audio engineer. Montye is the voice of Gump-Town, crafting a sound that’s unapologetically southern, proudly independent, and rooted in storytelling that matters.
And if you ask him what’s next, his answer stays grounded: “In a few years, I see myself established — not just as an artist, but as someone who gives back. Whether it’s through charity, animation, concerts, or speaking — I want my art to make a difference.”
Montye isn’t just putting on for Alabama. He’s building a legacy — one verse, one story, and one sound at a time.
