Mona Haydar – Barbarican

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I feel like my music is fun…I mean I have a good time making it but people will have to judge for themselves.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I love um kulthoum and conscious hip hop like Rakim and KRS1.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Suicide Doors.”

A) The song is about a dear friend I lost to suicide. I hope to open up the conversation around access to mental health services in communities of color. It stuck me that it doesn’t matter what a car looks like on the outside if it’s not cute on the inside too.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I hope they can feel my love for my friend and how I wish she were still here with us. I want all people to love their lives.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video is simple. I wanted the lyrics to speak for themselves and the visuals to be a means to relay the intensity of the topic without hitting people over the head with it. We have a lot of metallics, black and white. It’s moody.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I’ve written all kinds of ways but the way I prefer best of all is to write to a beat while it’s being made by the producer. That always results in the most interesting stuff.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I typically know what I want and what I like. I like to give references for the vibes I’m looking for and then we create something new that’s just for us.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Mona Haydar performance?

A) I’ve been performing my poetry for fifteen years now and I love the stage. I have a good time connecting with fans and just hanging out. It’s casual – not overly stylized or choreographed. It’s like a party with just a little structure. I put on a show and have a good time- but it’s chill.

Q) What songs off your Barbarican EP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) I’ve performed all the songs, except the very last one, live and that last song called “Miss Me” is probably my favorite of the lot. I’m excited for people to hear it.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) I hope people walk away feeling loved, seen and heard. I want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves with the music that I’ve made! I hope it makes them feel strong and soft at the same time – that they are allowed to be complex and even contradictory at times. That’s how we grow.

Q) As a Muslim rapper, why is it so important in this day and age to continue pushing boundaries with your art and music?

A) I don’t feel like I’m pushing boundaries or breaking stereotypes. I’m just out here making music and art I love because I love it and it’s in my heart to do it.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I hope to collaborate with good hearted people who make healing art for the world. I don’t really care about big names or personalities. Of course, there are luminaries who I would love to work with like Quincy Jones and others but there as so many on that list!

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Currently listening to 6lack — love his sound and vibe. The KOD album from J Cole was amazing. And H.E.R. and Kelela stay on repeat.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I’m selective about social media, but I love it as a way to connect with people interested in the art. It’s so much fun to talk to them and see who they are and why they like the music.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you for listening/streaming/watching! I’m so excited for everyone to hear the new stuff! Share the stuff because that’s how we’re going to change the world but sharing work that we feel is healing for the world. I hope I get to be a part of that story of healing.