Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Hasbun
Hi Monique, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Monique and I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I was raised in a multicultural home with my dad being Hispanic and my mom Middle Eastern which has really influenced the music I make today. My family has always been part of my musical journey from the beginning – my mom plays the classical Spanish guitar and has always had an excellent musical ear! She taught my brother and I to play guitar and I never stopped learning. Every weekend, at the age of 12, I started to perform cover songs at my family-owned restaurant! It was there I got over the fear of performing in front of an audience. In addition to singing at our restaurant, I started my music career singing in nursing homes, for our veterans, and other charitable organizations!
Although my love of music has always been at the forefront, I decided that it was very important for me to finish my studies and that is why I insisted on graduating from Arizona State University (ASU) in just two years with a degree in Innovation in Society and the Environment, at only 20 years. I graduated as Valedictorian, and I decided sing a song I had written especially for my class at graduation.
Having my whole life ahead of me, and with a university degree, I focused solely on my artistic career– and despite my beginnings as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, I have developed as a pop artist!
The last couple of years I have been working with producers from LA, Miami, Argentina, Mexico and the Middle East in order to sonically capture my culture into my music! Since then I’ve done many media tours in Latin America, I have opened shows for big artists like JID and Harmonize, have headlined my own shows in my hometown and had my song “Latin Mona Lisa” go viral on Tik Tok. Most notably I was scouted and casted to perform on Netflix’s “La Firma” (a Latin music competition show), in front of reggaeton titans Rauw Alejandro, Tainy, Nicki Nicole, and Yandel, who served as my judges and mentors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road! Pursuing a career in music has come with a lot and anxiety, self-doubt and imposter syndrome. It’s really hard to go against the societal norm and live off of music. There have been times where I have thought about just living a more conventional life, but my love and passion for music supersedes all fear and doubt.
Another big road bump was getting eliminated from the “La Firma” (the Netflix show). When I was eliminated, I was extremely heartbroken and blindsided. That was a really tough moment because one minute I am in Miami living in a mansion, filming and recording my own music with the world’s best producers and songwriters in Latin music, and the next minute I’m getting sent home back to Phoenix heartbroken. I was on such a high, then a really low low. But that experience taught me resilience and has made me a better artist because of it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think what sets me apart from other artists is my story and cultural background. I write and record music in both English and Spanish and have lots of Middle Eastern instruments and elements in my music! I play guitar, write, arrange and I record my own vocals. I also love to dance in all of my music videos!
My mom is my manager and she helps me with everything! She even custom makes my outfits for performances and music videos! I would be nowhere without her. I call her my “momager”.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I would love if they can follow all of my social media and stream my @moniquemusica on Instagram and Tik Tok. And @Monique Hasbun on Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube.
And if you’re in the Phoenix area, I will be headlining a show on February 7th 2025 at the ASU Kerr. You can but tickets on Ticketmaster now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moniquehasbun.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquemusica
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hasbun.Monique/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe82L6c-M4CNoqz9k_egpHg
- Other: https://www.ticketmaster.com/monique-hasbun-scottsdale-arizona-02-07-2025/event/1900611DDC2C4B1F?irgwc=1&clickid=RYXUzBzopxyIWfQSfeyDyzh9UkCy1iwRUV%3AARk0&camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_296934&impradid=296934&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeedbuyat296934&wt.mc_id=aff_BUYAT_296934&utm_source=296934-Spotify&impradname=Spotify&utm_medium=affiliate&ircid=4272
