Earl Minard III, better known as Earl The Monarch, is a hip hop MC from Port Arthur, TX. He is working on his new album, This Will All Be a Memory, and is promoting his new single “Hold Ya Head”
Music Review for ‘Hold Ya Head’ by Earl The Monarch.
Before we dive into this incredible track, we should shed some light on why the Texas music scene matters. Texas’ rich musical tapestry includes legends in just about every genre. The Texas music scene, above all, inspires a fierce individuality. It always has, regardless of genre. From Buddy Holly, who changed rock n’ roll forever, to Beyonce Knowles, who continues push the boundaries of pop music and culture, Texans can’t help but raise the bar. So, that brings us to this raising star – Earl The Monarch. He’s bringing that down south Hip Hop stereotypical “girls a hoe” culture to the curb and instead respecting the hard working female that’s trapped in a relationship with her dead-weight baby daddy. You can feel the frustration and emotion with lyrics like:
“…wonder how you fell in love with him / I never understand / he a bitch / he aint no man”
His lyricism is incredible. It’s also very refreshing to hear an artist write a song from this point of view. It’s clear there is a bigger story here! So, we sat down with Earl The Monarch for an exclusive interview:
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I go by Earl The Monarch. I was born in Arlington, Texas but raised in Port Arthur, Tx all my life. I always had a love for music, since I was a little kid. My dad was a hip hop and played a lot of dmx, jay-z, dr dre and Snoop Dogg. As I got older, I started going thru depression and the only thing that helped me get thru it was music. So I wanted to be there for anybody going thru and help them the way my favorite artists helped me.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Shit I’m still a startup artist myself haha. My advice is no matter how hard you get in the dumps, no matter how much it seems like they not fucking with you, just KEEP PUSHING! You don’t lose until you quit that’s a fact.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
My last performance i slipped on a word or two during a song, but you just keep going and act like it didn’t happen and go a lil harder
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
No I haven’t had my first tour yet.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Right now I’m working with a MacBook, dxi condenser mic, and a Scarlett audio box. I record at my home studio and get everything mixed by my engineers Josh Gan for 10th Tier Media and Ryan Johnson for 4 I studios.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
You gotta do it all man. Social media, blog posts, hand to hand transactions with cds etc etc. you only get the right results when you put the work in.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
If I could perform anywhere I’d say I’d perform at the Ford Arena in Beaumont Texas and sell it out. That’d be like the biggest accomplish for me like a big homecoming show. I’d have to say dead or alive I’d have to choose Game, Pac & Scarface. I feel like that’s the only people that match my passion.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I’m working on my new album “This Will All Be a Memory” hopefully drop that around February.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t making music, shit I’d prolly be lost somewhere or dead. This is the only thing that really keeps me sane honestly.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Look forward to some big shows coming soon, my new album This Will All Be a Memory and a collab project with rnb singer “Solorook”
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
Shouts to anybody putting in work to do something positive, Getting money and providing for their families.
