MONNROE, a rising artist in the R&B scene, unveils his personal journey in her latest EP, Madison Ave. With themes rooted in love, loss, and self-discovery, this project represents a turning point in his music career. Inspired by the street where he lived during its creation, the EP is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a narrative of emotional highs and lows that allows listeners to step into his world. In an exclusive discussion, MONNROE shares the creative processes, challenges, and inspirations behind Madison Ave, offering fans a deeper look into his art and ambition.
1. The Inspiration Behind Madison Ave
Madison Ave takes its title from the street MONNROE called home during the writing of this EP. “While I wrote this project, I was living on a street of the same name,” he explains, grounding the project in a time and place filled with significant personal memories. Much like the real street, the EP captures a journey, encapsulating the emotional evolution that comes with processing a difficult breakup. From start to finish, Madison Ave embodies the experience of heartbreak, healing, and personal growth.
2. Sound and Genre: A Journey to R&B Identity
Finding his voice in R&B wasn’t immediate for MONNROE; it was the culmination of years spent experimenting with different sounds. “I really struggled to find my sound for years,” he admits, “and I think with this project I have.” Aiming to showcase her versatility, he crafted each track to stay true to R&B’s core elements, resulting in a smooth yet dynamic collection. Songs like “Far” and “Long Walk” resonate with both rhythmic allure and lyrical honesty, perfectly suited to the emotional tones of R&B.
3. Themes of Madison Ave: A Story of Love and Loss
At the heart of Madison Ave lies the story of a broken relationship. MONNROE didn’t hold back, diving deep into the roller coaster of emotions that followed his breakup. “I wanted to take the audience on the roller coaster of that period,” he explains. Each song chronicles a different stage of her journey—from love and heartbreak to self-reflection and acceptance. This theme of navigating heartbreak makes the EP relatable, providing a universal appeal for anyone who’s experienced similar feelings.
4. Creative Process: The Making of Madison Ave
MONNROE’s creative process often begins with his producer and close friend, DeadInside. Together, they would “cook up a beat,” with MONNROE sometimes jumping into writing even before the beat was complete. As a perfectionist, hes meticulous about his process, taking weeks to mix each track to his satisfaction. “It’s usually just my producer and I in the room,” he says, appreciating a quiet, focused environment. In addition to DeadInside, MONNROE collaborated with Albany rapper Krugga, who features on the EP’s opening track, adding a unique layer of diversity to the sound.
5. Standout Tracks: “Far” and “Even Interlude”
When reflecting on the creation of the EP, MONNROE recalls that “Far” flowed effortlessly. He describes it as the track that “all flowed out so quickly,” marking it as one of his best. On the other hand, “Even Interlude” posed a different kind of challenge. The addition of a self-sung vocal sample brought complications during the mixing process, making it tough to balance the sample’s volume. This contrast highlights the variety within Madison Ave—from songs that flowed naturally to those that required intricate fine-tuning.
6. Evolving Lyric Writing and New Approaches
Over the years, MONNROE’s writing style has evolved significantly. Where he once sat down and completed songs within an hour, he now experiments with freestyling melodies before adding lyrics, or sometimes writing lyrics independently in his song journal. This variation in approach allows him to explore new depths in his music, keeping each track fresh and engaging.
7. Emotional Depth and Real-Life Influence
Personal experiences profoundly influenced Madison Ave. Drawing on past relationships and the aftermath of breakups, MONNROE aimed to create music that would resonate on an emotional level. He explains, “Being in love and falling out of it is something we all have or will experience, and I wanted others to be able to relate.” This openness has become one of his trademarks, allowing listeners to feel her honesty and vulnerability.
8. Unreleased Material: The Decision to Streamline
Though he initially considered including an outro titled “Are You Gonna Cry for Me,” MONNROE decided it didn’t align with the rest of the EP. “I do love that song and may drop it in the future,” he hints, suggesting more music could be on the way. This decision underscores her commitment to delivering a cohesive project, where each track complements the next.
9. Personal Growth Reflected in Madison Ave
Compared to his earlier work, Madison Ave reflects a more mature sound with a stronger sense of identity. “It’s more mature and… has a lot more personality,” he says, feeling that the EP embodies who she truly is as an artist. By experimenting with a rap-singing style on “Long Walk,” she ventured beyond her comfort zone, proving his willingness to take creative risks.
10. Learning Through the Process: Overcoming Perfectionism
Creating Madison Ave also taught MONNROE about himself. Known for his perfectionist tendencies, he found that sometimes it’s necessary to embrace imperfections. “I showed myself that I can create something I’m proud of and confidently put it out into the world,” he reflects, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey.
11. Expanding His Reach: Madison Ave on Streaming Platforms
Madison Ave is widely available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. This accessibility allows fans from around the world to tune in and experience the journey alongside MONNROE. In addition to the full EP, fans were treated to a pre-release single, “Only,” paired with “Bed Sheets,” giving listeners an early taste of what was to come.
12. Promotion and Fan Engagement
To promote Madison Ave, MONNROE has been actively engaging fans on social media. Through regular posts and interactive content, he’s fostered a community of listeners who eagerly anticipate each new release. In addition to online promotions, he’s been performing across upstate New York, solidifying her fan base and building momentum for her music.
13. Visuals to Complement the Music
The visual elements accompanying Madison Ave add another layer to the experience. A lyric video for “Far” is available on YouTube, along with a music video for the EP’s opening track, “Drawn to You.” Fans can look forward to an upcoming music video for “Long Walk,” providing yet another avenue to engage with MONNROE’s work.
14. Fan Response and Community Building
The response to Madison Ave has been overwhelmingly positive. Tracks like “Only,” “Far,” “Even,” and “Drawn to You” have emerged as fan favorites, with a dedicated subgroup gravitating toward “Long Walk.” Each performance brings memorable interactions, with the energy in Syracuse standing out as a recent highlight. “The crowd erupted… it was probably the best feeling in the world,” he recalls.
15. Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes
Deciding which songs to include on the EP proved to be one of the biggest challenges. “During that time, I was making so much music,” MONNROE says, comparing the selection process to “a parent picking their favorite child.” On the promotion side, he faced disappointment when YouTube rejected the video for “Only,” a setback that affected everyone involved in the project. Despite these hurdles, he remains proud of the final product and has found the journey rewarding. “Looking back at where I came and seeing where I am now… the music is getting better and that’s all that matters to me.”
16. Reflecting on Madison Ave and Future Goals
Now that Madison Ave is out in the world, MONNROE is ready for the next chapter. He hopes the EP encourages listeners to “be kind to others but above all love yourself.” Looking ahead, he has plans for new singles, aiming to grow her fan base across the U.S. and internationally. With his talent, ambition, and dedication to her craft, MONNROE is undoubtedly an artist to watch.
As he continues to evolve, MONNROE’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and unfiltered expression. Madison Ave is more than an EP—it’s a testament to his ability to transform personal challenges into art, inviting listeners along for the ride. For fans new and old, Madison Ave marks the beginning of a promising era in MONNROE’s career.
For more information on MONNROE and his latest releases, check out her Linktree for direct links to his music and social media.
