Talib Kweli & Monie Love Talk ‘Monie In The Middle’, Native Tongues, Jean Grae | People’s Party Full

In this episode of People’s Party, Talib Kweli and co-host Jasmin Leigh sit down British-born rapper, actress, radio personality, and fully-fledged member of the Native Tongues collective — Monie Love.

The conversation with Monie evolves into a wide-ranging discussion starting with her childhood, growing up in London, and being heavily influenced by her father’s Jamaican heritage. She goes on to give her unique perspective on the current anti-immigration sentiments being spread by groups like ADOS, she tells the story of how she came to be part of the Native Tongues collective at the age of 16, and outlines that organic induction being based on “vibes”. Monie also goes on to illustrate the importance of DJ Red Alert, him being the conduit for so many of the greats that are now house-hold names, including herself, and they explore the evolution of Chris Lightly, from security detail for Red Alert to Violator Records executive.

Later Monie touches on her greatest hits, starting with ‘Monie In The Middle’, and it’s lasting impact on the hip hop through all the references that it’s attained over the last three decades of music. She also gets into her collab with Queen Latifah — ‘Ladies First’ being an anthem to the empowerment of black women. Monie speaks on working with Whitney Houston on ‘My Name Is Not Susan’, becoming great friends through that experience, gives advice for expecting mothers in the entertainment industry, clears up why she left Philadelphia’s WPHI-FM Radio, they discuss breaking down gender profiles in hip hop, and Monie gives it up to the women holding down the culture for today’s generation.