Meet Esmeralda Uribe of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esmeralda Uribe

Hi Esmeralda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey whats up y’all my name is Esmeralda Uribe a female recording hiphop artist that goes by the name of “E$MONEY”. I was born and raised in the city of Los Angeles ca. in the south east side of town in a city called south Gate. For as long as I can remember I was always an extremely shy girl, not popular, and I didn’t have my real first pair of friends until 10th grade high school S/O Giselle and Luis aha. When I turned 15 years old instead of a quinceañera I wanted a laptop so during my down time I learned how to video edit and record music on my own with the help of Youtube. I recorded for fun at first but then I decided to take it seriously and I started telling my family and friends that I was going to be a rapper.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road because I doubt with non beliebers, self-doubt, and the music industry itself is not the easiest to begin with. For example a couple family members would make unnecessary comments ” that rapping is not for females”, “that why don’t I make dance music instead” and they wouldn’t take me serious. Another example of a struggle I had in the past considering the music industry is a male dominated game I had male producers and artist trying to work with me but at the end they wanted more than to just make music with me if you know what I mean.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a hip-hop artist with roots in Los Angeles, and my music is all about telling authentic stories that represent my journey and the culture I come from. I specialize in creating tracks that are not only relatable but also empowering—music that speaks to people grinding to achieve their dreams while staying true to who they are.

What I’m most proud of is the way my music resonates with listeners and reflects the real-life experiences of my community. Beyond the music, I’ve also been working to create spaces where art and culture thrive, like an open mic series I helped start for the Hispanic/Latino community in Huntington Park. It’s about building something bigger than just myself—a movement that supports other creatives like me.

What sets me apart is my raw storytelling and my ability to connect with people on a real level. My music is a reflection of my struggles, my wins, and everything in between. I’m not just here to make music—I’m here to leave a legacy that shows others they can do the same.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I owe so much of my journey to the people who’ve supported me along the way. First and foremost, my parents have been a huge source of encouragement and support, always believing in me and my dreams. My brother Javier deserves a big shoutout for being my hype man and sometimes stepping in as my photographer and videographer—he’s always ready to help bring my vision to life. My other brother, Isaias, plays a major role in my music by making beats that fuel my creativity and keep my sound fresh.

I also want to shout out Russ for sharing his independent journey and giving artists like me a blueprint for succeeding on our own terms. Big Soph and Kopius Media, Michele Garamone and Mishi Records have provided me with invaluable business guidance that keeps me moving forward. These people have all played a big role in shaping who I am as an artist and giving me the tools to keep building my career. They have been incredible mentors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://esmoneymerch.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esmoneyhoney/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@esmoney
• Other: https://zez.am/esmoneyhoney

Image Credits
Yessy aka Worldvisionz_ and Christos Watson