Rapper Mo Nicole Drops New Album

Moni Wit The Motion! 

Mo Nicole had no choice but to emerge as one of the dopest and most enduring rappers on the indie music scene. It’s in her DNA! Not many rappers, male or female, can say their mother was a Hip Hop pioneer. Mo Nicole can! Her mother made a name for herself as an emcee, going by the smooth stage name, Butter! This put the battery in Mo’s back, sowing not only seeds of inspiration, but validation that drives her to this day. Mo has even added a stage persona to her performances called “Baby Butter,” where she goes into a throwback, Boom Bap style to pay tribute to her mother. 

Mo Nicole displays incredible drive and consistency in all she does, including her commitment to fitness resulting in a dynamic  transformation. Another point that illustrates her drive is that she was included in an Allhiphop.com/News Journal article that featured up and coming female rappers nearly 10 years ago. Many rappers from that period have gone on to raising families, other forms of entertainment or successful careers in other fields, altogether. But Mo Nicole has not slowed down; in fact, she actually strengthened her commitment to rap and raised her rank and profile through touring, social media and consistent and solid projects such as her last album “Stoop Lyfe,” which was well received, judging by fans at her shows rapping along to her lyrics. 

 

 

Mo Nicole has entertained her fans in major cities such as; Houston, DC, Miami and Brooklyn to name a few. At that time on her Stoop Lyfe summer tour in 2024, her music could only be experienced through her shows and social media. She and her unwavering business  and creative partner, Bob Deniro are critical of the low pay associated with streaming and even the significance of streaming numbers. They favor creating content and direct fan engagement as their business model. But as out-of -town shows and the demand for Mo’s music increased, streaming was the only practical way to reach the fans left behind in those cities. Thankfully, this means her highly anticipated LP, The Motion will be available on streaming services from day one. Fans can look forward to its release on May 2nd. 

Kiss 101.7 caught up with the busy artist to learn more about her projects and plans; 

 

Q: When did you fall in love with Hip Hop? 

 

A: I’ve been listening to Hip Hop for as long as I can remember, but I really fell in love with it after hearing Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool album. That project made me want to pick up a pen and speak my truth with intention. 

 

Q: Who are your influences? 

 

A: Missy Elliott (music and fashion), Michael Jackson, Lupe Fiasco, Fabolous, and Jadakiss. All of them brought something unique to the game that I study and respect. 

 

Q: How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop from beef to the female perspective, to streaming and revenue? 

 

A: Beef: I think rap beef is too soft right now. A lot of rappers don’t know how to take an L and move on. There’s too much emotion and not enough bars. In earlier eras, you could lose the battle but still walk away with respect. Now it feels like social media is more important than the pen. 

Female Rap? The women are doing their thing, but there’s always room for more than just one of us to dominate. I love that there’s finally variety—different looks, different sounds. It opens up the lane for even more of us to shine. 

Streaming? Being an artist today is more than just chasing streams—it’s about building real connection. The numbers will come when you have a real community around your music. Everybody talks numbers, but if you want those numbers to mean something, you’ve got to find the people who genuinely want to listen first. 

Revenue: Streams don’t pay the way they should, so as an artist, especially an independent one, you can’t rely on them alone. You have to invest in yourself just to break even sometimes. Merch, physicals, collabs, and paid gigs are all key ways to build income and sustain your career. 

 

Q: Tell us about your first experiences on stage;the events and how you felt. 

 

A: The first time I performed wasn’t even planned. I showed up to support another artist at a showcase, and one of the acts didn’t show up, so I filled in. I was nervous, my stomach was in knots, but I didn’t get booed off stage so it was win in my book. Another time, I tripped walking onto the stage. I laughed it off, but I was definitely low key embarrassed. That was maybe my third or fourth time performing. I got up, shook it off, and killed my set. By the time I finished, I think most of the crowd forgot the fall even happened. 

 

Q: What is your creative process, both in writing and recording? 

 

A: Writing? A lot of times, I’ll come up with a bar or two and spend a few minutes building that into four. Once I’ve got that structure, I’ll go through some beat or get one made, and usually finish the full song from there. 

Recording? I practice a lot before I record. As I write, I’m also rehearsing. Every time I write a few bars, I run the beat from the top and practice what I’ve got, figuring out where I’ll breathe, how I want it to sound, and even where adlibs might go. Time is money, and I don’t like wasting either. 

 

Q: What are some of your past projects and what was the reception like? 

 

A: My debut album Stoop Lyfe really made people see me as more than just a rapper, I started to sound like a full artist. One of the fan favorites is “Weak A B**”—they love when I perform that one. My most recent project Lov You ForEvr was kind of my soft girl era. It’s a 6-song EP based on real relationships I’ve been in. There’s a love song (“So Sweet”), a breakup song (“Over”), and songs about all the emotions that come with falling in and out of love. You can even hear a sample of “Pillow Talk” in my song “U Don’t Like That” from my upcoming LP The Motion. 

 

Q: Bring us up to speed on your accomplishments and current projects. 

 

A: Last summer we really ramped it up with a mini tour. I performed everywhere from Buffalo to Houston, Miami, and even a few shows at home in between. I’m also nominated for a few awards at an upcoming show, which is exciting. Right now, I’m gearing up to drop my new album The Motion on May 2nd. That title really represents what last year was all about—momentum, progress, and movement. 

 

Q: What legacy do you wish to leave behind with your music? 

 

A: I want to leave behind the work ethic. That’s what I get complimented on the most. A strong work ethic naturally builds consistency. I try not to make excuses. My goal is always to get the work done and stay in “MOTION!” 

 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/monicole101 

 

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealmonicole 

 

YT: https://youtube.com/@monicole101 

 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HbI8mvbY9VBVddMSwnla6?si=E3Cg7c2hQH-pTW3Y9gG1Eg 

 

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mo-nicole/1510267458