Forget everything you've heard about real Hip-Hop to date, MONSTA aka MONSTA GANJAH is the genuine article. Hailing from the streets of Long Beach, California and introduced to the rap world by legendary Bay Area Don ‘Yukmouth’ (of platinum selling duo The Luniz), MONSTA has been patiently waiting to give fans a dose of his gruff West Coast narrative.
Born and raised by a Samoan Father and a Mexican mother, Monsta was exposed to the harsh realities of two dominant cultures that co-exist on the streets of LA.
The nephew of pioneering Samoan rappers and West Coast legends the BOO YAA TRIBE, Monsta is considered the Heir to the Polynesian Hip-Hop Legacy.
Monsta first entered the professional world of the music industry appearing on Yukmouths album “United Ghetto's Of America” in 2002. With Yukmouths prolific release schedule Monsta put in guest appearances with Tech N9ne, Z-Ro, Gonzoe, Planet Aisa, The Realest and Un-kasa (Dipset/ Purple City) as part of the West Coast Super group The Regime.
In late 2002 MONSTA was tragically shot twice while attending a VIP industry event in Hollywood. The wounds from the shooting would take months to heal leading MONSTA to spend most of 2003 in recovery. Fortunately Monsta used the time to focus on changing his life, writing songs and developing a new sound.
From 2003–2006 Monsta toured the world relentlessly with Yukmouth as part of the group “The Regime”, and made appearances on all three installments of Yukmouth Presents The Regime “All Out War” compilations.
During his touring schedule Monsta made stop off's performing in both New Zealand and Australia as part of the Kurupt / Luniz tour and found himself at home with the number of Polynesian people that turned out to support him at all of his shows. Seeing an opportunity to further his music Monsta based himself in Australia for two years and released critically acclaimed street mix CD's “Hood Epidemick Vol 1 & 2” as well as the New Zealand radio hit “Butterflies” with Delani.
MONSTA signed an exclusive distribution & Marketing deal for his Sour Diesel Muzik imprint through iconic Hip-Hop Label Dawn Raid Entertainment / Universal Records at the end of 2009.
With a huge catalogue of music ready to unleash on the world, the first release from the dynamic new partnership is the EP titled “ Allow Me To Re-introduce Myself Vol 1”.
The EP is a retrospective collection of his best US work and some new material that will give fans a taste of what to expect from his debut album scheduled for release 2010.
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