Sincere, real, spiritual, connected, and in tune.” Those are the things singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, MONÉT hopes listeners will glean from her recently released, aptly titled CD, ESSENCE. “ I think [the listeners] will just find out that I’m a real essence,” says the Brooklyn, NY native. “I don’t think they’ll say ‘she’s contrived’ or ‘she must have read a lot of groovy things.’ No, I think they’ll just realize that this is who I am.”

Indeed as clichéd as the phrases a ray of sunshine or a breath of fresh air may seem, Monét’s vibe and sound is all that - a warm, inviting sound composed of cool flute work, catchy melodies atop head-noddin’ grooves and thoughtful lyrics capped by a voice with lovely tone and easygoing flow. Spirit, Essence, Joy, and Beauty are titles to some of the tracks on the CD, but more tellingly, obvious signs to the core of where Monét’s musical designs lie. It is every bit her soul music, straight from the source. “When people are listening I always want to know if they hear the smiles in the singing,” she says. “Do they really hear that the lips were turned to a smile?” Its true, Monét’s demeanor even outside of song is calming and pleasant, but also engaging and passionate with an aura that swirls with a true appreciation for all that she has been blessed with – her talent - the opportunity to share it with any who will listen and the support she’s received from those who’ve discovered it. This is where the smiles are born. As well as from a love for life itself and all it offers – Even the simple things that get masked by the grind of everyday living, but hold their own special joy. “ I love to mess around with plants, I love animals, talking with people and playing with little children,” she shares. “I love all that basic, stuff.” The desire to know if folks are feeling all that in her music is genuinely real. “I’m always curious because I don’t know what anyone is really going to get from [the music]. But I want [the music] to get at you. If I can get at you, I’m happy.”

Monét is yet another artist who had the jones for music passed on to her by family who were themselves on the music track – her mom, a vocalist – her dad, a manager of jazz and Latin artists in addition to other members who played and performed. In the midst of all that a healthy dose of happenin’ sounds – R&B, Soul, Jazz, Classical - and evidently riveting experiences were embraced. Her prowess on the flute, featured prominently on the new Essence CD, comes from training started as a young child. Burgeoning accolades as well as guest spots with artists like DJ Spinna, Les Nubians, Cooly’s Hot Box and new group on the rise, Tortured Soul are a testament to her flair on the instrument. Her creative thirsts have steered her also to playing guitar and even the Udu, a percussion instrument of Nigerian origin. But the creative energy doesn’t stop there. She’s an actress as well with a host of film credits and a budding director. This love too was soaked up early from close relatives who took their artistic talents down the theatrical path. For Monét it was and is all good. The ways she looks at it, “Everything feeds everything else.”

Its clear Monét has a hunger - A hunger to grow, experience and to then share. She feeds hers with something many tend to ignore – the lessons and perks of life itself. She’s had patience and been wise enough to see the good through adversity. “ I’ve been really, ridiculously blessed,” she acknowledges. “I believe God is a beautiful energy and I think that I have definitely been given lots of false starts. But I’ve been blessed because I’ve been able to hold back, hold it down and just wait. Just try to understand what it is I’m supposed to understand from each experience so that when I’m given the opportunity like I’m being given it now, I can gracefully assume the position and humbly stay there.” Indeed Monét’s sound is a reflection of where she is now – of her Essence - and you might say it just “feels so good.”