Coooki3 Monstar is a San Jose Native who currently resides in San Diego, CA. Female emcee, Songwriter, Hip-Hop Dancer Mostly Known for being the Energetic Care Free Side with a 90’s rhythmic flow to R&B/HipHop Duo SoulistiK. Coooki3 Monstar is well established as an entertainer in her own right performing on stages since the age of 3 in crowds ranking in 12,000 in attendance. Monstar born Summer Mejia, comes from a musical family her mother being a Jazz Blues & R&B Singer, and her aunts being well known in the Bay area for their singing talents; Its no surprise why the stage feels like home. At the age of 25 Coooki3 Monstar is Now focused on furthering her solo career, with works on dropping her first EP later this year.
Shows Include: So You Think You Can Dance, Sacramento Cal Expo, San Diego Pride, BMikeRob BET Experience.
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
I heard about Exposed Vocals through twitter, I read the bio and saw what they do for artist so I reached out.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I was born in San Jose Ca, but grew up every where from Sacramento to Atlanta, GA. I really didn’t decide to do this, my heart did. I wanted to be in the WNBA, but I’ve been performing since the age of 3. It’s something that I was born with, it runs in my blood; Without hesitation I chose to be an entertainer.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
My name started off with my mom, she started calling me cookie. I’m junior year in high school I started break dancing(back 2 basics), and I didn’t have a name to go by. I used cookie (Coooki3)monster, and it wasn’t until years later a good friend of mine changed it from Monster to Monstar. I kept it. I’m very sweet off stage, but when I’m on its a entirely different person my name reflects both sides.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
I think online music sharing is great, it creates another platform for artist to get their name and brand out to millions. Yes all my remixes will be free for download, just so new fans can hear my sound and my style.
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?
Utilize all your resources, always be open minded because you’ll receive the biggest support from where you least expect it. There are free stations that will allow you to play your music with no charge, open mics are always great, and Craigslist someone is always looking for artist.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
I think every artist makes mistakes, mine include forgetting my lyrics, but no matter what I always keep going. That’s the key. Never stop if you mess up, just keep going.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
No I don’t tour, but would love the opportunity one day.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
I let the song move me, because I can’t do it if I don’t feel it. Once I get a concept I use past experiences or experience that aren’t mine, but someone I know. My usual writing process for solo projects, I have to be alone where there aren’t any distractions. I don’t like to be still so if I’m alone with nothing around me it gets me centered.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
I don’t have a main general website. I use Facebook for all of my updates, twitter, IG, and Global 14 to share and broadcast my projects.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Haha I have some Britney Spears over protected and Grace Kelly by Mika which I love.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Travel, Save, Reinvest. I would buy a nice house, and have a studio built in it, also with a personalized closet. Build my brand so I may be fully independent as an artist, of course I have to get shoes and clothes.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
No planned studio upgrades at the moment, right now I have a home studio one set up and I love it. I do have a studio I go to called Jay Wat Productions, so I bounce back and forth between my studio and JWP.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Everyone loves when they can put a name to a face, as well as a personality; so I really try to get out and network at different shows and venues. I believe Instagram works best for me I’ve connect with so many artist from everywhere, and that’s always exciting.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
There are a few, but in picking one, I’d love to perform with Jessie J in the UK. That woman is amazingly talented, her music has meaning and that’s rare in music right now. The UK shows so much love, and I’d really like to feel that.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I’m currently putting together my first EP, at the moment it’s untitled. I will be releasing my first single from it titled “Kevin Hart”, that will be coming in April.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I’d be miserable, music is all I’ve ever known is all I’ve ever did. I’d probably be working with kids, teaching dance I love them both.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Of Coarse, it was Tatiana Ali Kiss The Sky. I was so excited, and couldn’t wait to get home in fact I played it all the way home.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
I push. I get off work, and stay working on my passion. I make energy for it, I go that extra mile for it. If I’m at my day job and I have down time it goes to my career.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Everything, because if it can be done I’m going to do it all. Mostly I’m going to give you music you can relate to.
