Monty: The Hidden Gem of Remy Boyz
/(Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up)
Monty, the counterpart to Fetty Wap in the hip-hop group Remy Boyz, is an unsung talent. Though his mixtape Monty Zoo dropped last year, the same year as Fetty Wap’s Fetty Wap, Monty deserves more than the media has given him. Every mainstream music listener has heard the recognizable, hollow, wailing tone of Fetty Wap on hits such as “679,” “My Way,” and many others since 2015. However, Monty is the other voice on these tracks, mentioned by feature, that helps carry these hits through to their finish. Roman’s Rap-Up talked with the young rapper after his feature performance with Fetty Wap’ set at the Billboard “Hot 100” Music Festival at Long Island’s Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. From his excitement for the future to his constant acknowledgement for where he came from, Monty is an artist who is thankful to share the spotlight but also is ready to carve his own path solo, and the fans should listen.
(Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up)
“Fetty and I met at a chicken store… we linked up, and we both were on the same thing,” Monty said. The origination of Remy Boyz, originally with three members and now only two, began as simple as where the two rappers come from. Both carry a very deep and honest sense of their roots and their upbringing, and therefore, their normal meeting comes as no surprise. “We’re an hour and a half from home,” he said, “[Family and friends] love the chance to watch us perform especially from where we come from. To be able to perform [with] the beautiful view out here...” It’s a dream come true to him. Remy Boyz rolled up in black cars with New Jersey plates, as they drove from home, so the Billboard Music Festival was close to playing in their backyard. As he continued to talk about his experience at the festival, there was an easy sense of happiness and fun between him, Fetty, and their gang who eagerly waited to drive the short distance home to enjoy the rest of the night. The festival experience is much different than headlining a concert; Monty said, “It’s even crazier seeing other artists and having the opportunity for them to be right down the hall.” It was a special moment for Remy Boyz, almost a celebratory performance rooted in pure enjoyment to show their friends and family what they accomplished over the past year.
When asked about new music, Monty’s demeanor lit up. “Monty Zoo Part II is about to drop real soon. It might be next month,” he said. This album would be a follow up to his mixtape from last year, and it would include lots of features from Fetty Wap, and the two trade of featuring on each other’s tracks. Monty just released a single off of the new project called “Right Back.” He said, “It’s one of the craziest videos… it’s my favorite song right now.” When talking about what’s to come and what’s next, Monty cannot seem to hold back his optimism for the future of his career. For sharing the spotlight with Fetty Wap who’s hot in the eyes of the hip-hop realm, their relationship is all love and brotherhood. Fetty watched the interview from a few feet behind Monty, goofing around with his entourage but also standing by for support like a friend does. Monty believes his personality speaks for itself. “I’m chill, laidback, easy. I’m the coolest person you’ll ever meet,” he jokes. There’s no outright aggression or competitive edge to the group. Remy Boyz 1738, a phrase constantly repeated like a mantra on and offstage, is not just a slogan or casually-used phrase. The title stands for the finest cognac liquor in the Urban Distract where they’re from; a metaphor for the music they produce: it’s the best. It’s a constant reminder of who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for. Monty represents all the growth the pair has been through, and it’s only a matter of time until he drops a track that blows up radio stations “Trap Queen” style.