Today we’d like to introduce you to Met Montrel.
Hi Met, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an upcoming songwriter, singer, and all around entertainer from a small town by the name of Indianola, MS. From a young age, I knew that I was different. I would pay close attention the smallest details and music was what inspired me. When I was a teenager, I told my mom that I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. Like any other mom, she told me to keep my head in the books.
I would sneak off to the town next over and go to local dope boy home studio. I had so many ideas, so much I wanted to say. Eventually, I got caught and I was told to never go there again. To say the least, the passion slowly started to die, so I thought. Fast forward a few years. I was a failed college student on my own facing eviction with a job that payed me $1000 a month. I was facing repossession on my car, I thought that I was in my own personal hell. So, one day, I decided that this world would be better without me in. So I went to the medicine cabinet and grabbed every bottle I saw. I sat in the corner of my bedroom and prayed to God. All I remember was hearing Anita Baker’s “Just Because” and thinking to myself; if I do this, all of my pain would go away but I would cause pain for a lot of people. Within the next few weeks, I packed up everything I had and moved to the big city of Memphis, TN. The saying goes that moving won’t make your problems go away and it didn’t. I still was broke and trying to make ends meet. I went days on end with only Ramen noodles to eat. Yet through it all, music was there. My paper and pen were there. I was able to write myself out of any situation. So my old roommate told me that I should get back into music. He really believed in me when it came to music.
Even much so that we sacrificed paying rent and our light bill just so I could have money for studio time. I started working with this incredible engineer by the name of Ryan Olson from Uproar Recordings and with his help, the star that had lived inside of me all of those years was finally ignited. All of the pain and all of the hurt that I experienced was released through my music with the help of Ryan. Fast forward again to today and I am working artist. My debut album is a visual album directed and filmed by Roosevelt. He’s been there every step of the way and has always inspired me to let my ideas flourish with his. I have gigs, my streams have brought in revenue and I have the support of my family behind me. I went from trying to prove myself and my talents to not having food on my table, to picking studio time over rent or electric bills to a stable working artist. Life is crazy that way.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road but I’ve learned that the journey is the reward, not the finish line. I have went days without lights in my apartment because I wanted to spend an extra hour or two in the studio. I’ve faced being evicted because I believe that investing in myself is always a safe bet. I’ve had people steal lyrics and songs from me and there was nothing I could do. There was one point in time where I had to eat Ramen noodles for breakfast lunch and dinner because I was too poor to provide for myself. But God and music kept me sane. Whenever something went wrong, I would write. I would write songs for hours just to keep my mind occupied and positive. I truly have the faith the size of a mustard seed and thats all I needed.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a songwriter first. I have always carried a joy for writing and creating music. It’s my peace. It’s what’s gotten me out of bed many mornings. I love to sing and rap. I love to express myself and my challenges through music; which is art because it can be reached on so many levels and by so many people. In music, I’m known for my harmonies and adlib vocals. When I’m recording adlibs; which is completely unrestricted to words, I close my eyes and let the music speak from within. I am most proud that my mom is now supportive of my dreams. I’m proud that I have taken this art serious enough to perfect my craft and have something that she can be proud of. I believe that everything about me sets me apart. Thats the whole idea of creativity. To explore the unknown and to create something thats unapologetically you. My mind sets me apart. My story sets me apart. My struggles and tribulations is what sets me apart from others.
How do you define success?
I define success as happiness. I don’t need the world’s biggest stage. My idea of success is helping someone else get through what I’ve already gotten through. I will feel successful when a glass ceiling has been broken and people of all walks of life can have the same chance at their goals and their dreams. My success is determined by the success of those who come after me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_metmontrel
- Other: linktr.ee/metmontrel
Image Credits:
Shot by Roosevelt
