Monie Love is a 55 year old MC, actress & radio host from London, England, United Kingdom making her full-length debut on Devil’s Night 1990 under Warner Records with Down to Earth. Her sophomore effort In a Word or 2 produced by Marley Marl & surprisingly the late Prince would leave fans divided over 3 decades ago although I personally like it more than Down to Earth. Returning to music 10 days ago after appearing on 7xvethegenius’ new album Self 7xve 3, the Native Tongues member looks to take her comeback to newer heights by dropping off a brand new EP of material.
“Sho Luv” produced by Baby Paul formerly of Da Beatminerz bestows the new level that she’s elevated herself to after over 3 decades of being gone whereas “Cape Vinny” takes the soulful boom bap route instrumentally to talk about clarity settling in because of her thoughts getting crowded. “Jus We” featuring Ruste Juxx & T3 continues the sampling of soul for a romantic direction topically while the lead single “Divine” featuring Skyzoo & Tuff talks about memories taking center stage onstage of fading.
The 3rd & final single “Mo’ Skillz” featuring Amil starts the backend of Love Notes marking the return of Roc-A-Fella Records’ 1st Lady herself joining Monie in ripping it over a sample of “Shadows” by The Mysterious Flying Orchestra for a nod to the Gang Starr single “Skills” leading into “Atonement” incorporating strings & synthesizers talking about reparations along with handing people the same rope she was given. The 2nd single “1 People” featuring Nana Fofie to me serves as the official closer excluding the “Sho Luv” remix experimenting with dancehall.
Originally teased in the fall of 2021 under the title Lovestruck, we finally got Baby Paul convincing one of hip hop’s pioneering women in Monie Love to come back after pursuing a radio career since In a Word or 2 because of surface pressure that a lot of artists can undergo now & the shape of the forever evolving industry we’ve all come to cherish so greatly. Together, their attempt at a grassroots level extended play makes up for it’s lengthy delays speaking from the heart with a handful of well-picked guests having 0 worries regarding who’s gonna stream or buy it.
Score: 8/10