Coffee-table Talk with Moneexxx of IcyLytes

I met this girl flashing people while freestyling during Pride last year. This month we finally got coffee like normal people. Except with Jameson. Here are the highlights:

Moneexxx (Monique Contreras) began rapping at age 14. California born and Missouri raised, her Mexican family moved back to Cali in 2004. Within a year she met Beex and by age 17 they were performing as the duo IcyLytes.

Label her as you will -qpoc/chicana/female mc- but her music defies labels. Their upcoming album New Dimensions lives up to its name with emphasis on genre mixing and world influence (like Neo on Sizzurp in Mexico). Watch out for their first video to drop (courtesy of pimplywimp)!

Border-Breaking Lifestyle:

First off, Monique’s favorite cartoon character is the Tasmanian Devil (yes, that Looney Toon I never understood):

“Taz was the best! He would always go crazy, spin around, and didn’t care. He even had a girlfriend that was just like him, but a lipstick lesbian. I want a lipstick lesbian.”

She, like Taz, lives for causing a ruckus. Always down to cross the line whether its to break borders or bust a laugh, her love for crazy performativity explains her bond with groups like Hot Tub, and why she caught our eye.

Q: A Hint to the Husslers?

“I’m not a cliche, but never give up. It’s true! You have to stay dedicated and it’s hard especially if you have to balance family. Haha cliches. Don’t do drugs! Okay but really only do drugs to promote your work!”  

Q: Free Association Time! Browntourage:

“A brown tour raging!”