Meet Amar Monroe | R&B Singer, Songwriter, Event Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amar Monroe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amar, how do you think about risk?

Taking risks is a tremendous part of every independent artist’s journey… and a lot of people don’t realize that – when you decide to take that leap into the music industry- you really are diving into a new world full of risks:

Whether it’s in regard to marketing, promoting, songwriting or just creating in general, as an artist, each new song is a gamble…when you give a piece of yourself to the world ( a piece of your he[art] ), you’re giving the world a piece of yourself. Think about how many times you’ve met a stranger: surely you didn’t tell them the most intimate details of yourself as soon as you met them..

But as musicians, that’s what we do. We openly give people pieces of ourselves that show the world who we are, that they’re not alone in their journey, their happiness, their struggle, their pain.

It takes an incredible amount of belief in yourself and your skills to pursue music full-time, especially because you have so many things working against you, but as independent artists we work against the odds and actively take risks every single day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Music has always been deeply personal for me that reflects many of my experiences…some that I’ve never discussed openly. It serves as a form of therapy a lot of the time… an outlet for my emotions. What truly sets me apart is my mission to spread love and positivity, my unapologetic identity and the journey that has brought me to where I am now.

Being a trans, Persian, Salvadorian alternative R&B artist, my life has been shaped by a series of challenges. From being placed in foster care when I was 5, being raised mostly by my single mother, going to around 15 schools by the time I was in 9th grade… to coming out as a trans person and combating discrimination related to my identity. My art is almost like a mosaic of these experiences. And sometimes I’ve used it as an outlet for emotions that I’ve rarely expressed publicly.

One factor that makes my work unique is the wide range of influences that have shaped it, from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Kurt Cobain, Usher, Alicia Keys, Aaliyah to Miguel, Drake and T-Pain. These diverse influences have significantly impacted my creative process, from the way I create to how I perform my music.

Getting to where I am today professionally has been challenging…to say the least! It’s been an adventure filled with obstacles, requiring extensive research, learning, and some memorable experiences—both positive and negative. This journey has been a beautiful challenge, and I wouldn’t choose any other path. I want the world to know that my brand is all about spreading good energy, positivity, inclusivity, and love. While my story may have begun during a challenging time, it’s now marked by love and positive outcomes.

My creative journey has been filled with challenges, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. If there’s anything I’d like anyone to take from my story it’s to keep going. Life is sometimes going to feel like a big obstacle, but the universe is always preparing you for your purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Houston because it’s one of those cities that has a TON of underrated gems and an amazing amount of worldly diversity. So this question is kind of hard…but I would probably show them a mix of everything- from the touristy spots like St. Arnold and the museum district to underrated gems like Bijan (a childgood favourite for me, and my favourite persian restaurant in Houston), Mo Betta Brews (the coolest vegan restaurant you could ever experience) and WonderlikeWander (shoutout to Ruby for curating an amazing space for creatives). But in all honesty, you can have many adventures in Houston and no two will ever be the same. As long as you’re ready for an adventure, Houston always has a unique experience in store.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are so many people I need to thank for a myriad of reasons…but here’s a few people I’d like to give a special shoutout to:

RJ, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unconditional love, especially during those moments when self-love seemed out of reach. Your belief in me, your unwavering support, and your role as my biggest cheerleader in my artistic journey mean the world to me. I genuinely couldn’t have come this far without your boundless love and the incredible, beautiful positivity you bring into my life.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to Major League Beats. He was the first person in the music industry that ever believed in me, challenged me and respected me for who I was. Rest in paradise, brother. Your contribution to the music industry and my journey has been tremendous and I know someday I will make you proud.

Website: https://theamarmonroe.com

Instagram: @AmarMonroe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amar-monroe-3b4122261

Twitter: @AmarMonroe

Facebook: @theAmarMonroe

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amarmonroe

Image Credits
Pictures taken by Payton Templeton, Tony Chavria, Leo Gip, and Johnny Quezz.