Leondra Roshawn Caldwell (née Gay; born April 24, 2001), known by her stage name Monaleo (/ˌmoʊnəˈliːoʊ/ MOH-nuh-LEE-oh), is an American rapper and songwriter. She gained recognition in early 2021 for her single "Beating Down Yo Block".
Early life Gay was born on April 24, 2001 and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, located in Houston. She was in pursuit of a degree in mortuary science at Prairie View A&M University before putting her studies on pause due to her musical career.
Career Gay began working in music intermittently since January 2020. In September 2020, she released a snippet of her debut single "Beating Down Yo Block" with producer Merion Krazy. The song samples "Knockin Pictures Off da Wall" by Yungstar and was writte while she was struggling with a bad breakup. The song went viral on social media in January 2021, gaining over 3 million streams on Spotify and 3.3 million views on the music video on YouTube. Monaleo later released the singles "Girls Outside" and "Suck It Up", the former of which samples "Outside" by OG Bobby Billions. In August 2021, Gay released a music video for the single, "Suck It Up". She released the single "We Not Humping" in December 2021; She raps over a southern hip hop beat. a remix of the song featuring Flo Milli was released in April 2022.
On May 26, 2023, she released her debut studio album, Where the Flowers Don't Die, featuring a guest appearance from Flo Milli. On September 27, 2024, Gay released her first EP, Throwing Bows, featuring guest appearances from Stunna 4 Vegas, Sauce Walka, Kaliii, and other artists. She released her second album, Who Did the Body, on October 17, 2025. She embarked on a North American tour in support of the album, but rescheduled multiple tour dates following a medical emergency. The album featured the single "Putting Ya Dine"; a remix of the song featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again was released in October 2025. She supported Summer Walker's Still Finally Over It Tour in 2026 alongside Odeal. The Houston City Council proclaimed April 24, 2026 as "Leondra Roshawn Caldwell Day". She featured on a remix of the Trim song "Nobody" alongside G Herbo which was released in July 2026.
Gay is represented by the Stomp Down collective.
Personal life Gay has stated she is bisexual.
Gay's younger brother is rapper Yung Rampage. She has publicly shared about her past suicide attempts and mental health. In May 2023, Gay gave birth to her first child with partner Stunna 4 Vegas. Gay and Caldwell engaged in 2023 and married on September 19, 2025.
In March 2026, she suffered from "an inflamed cyst the size of a softball"; during emergency surgery, an ovary and fallopian tube were removed. She was diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
She is a supporter of the BDS movement.
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details Where the Flowers Don't Die Released: May 26, 2023 Label: Stomp Down, The Orchard Format: Digital download, streamingWho Did the Body Released: October 17, 2025 Label: Stomp Down, Columbia Format: Digital download, streaming
Extended plays + List of extended plays, with selected details Title EP details Throwing Bows Released: September 27, 2024 Label: Stomp Down, The Orchard Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Singles As lead artist + List of singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album USBub. USR&B/HH "First Draft Pick" 2020 — — "Beating Down Yo Block" 2021 — — RIAA: Gold Where the Flowers Don't Die "Girls Outside" — — rowspan="5" "Suck It Up" — — "We Not Humping" — — RIAA: Gold "Body Bag" 2022 — — "Miss U Already" — — "Ridgemont Baby" 2023 — — Where the Flowers Don't Die "Sober Mind (A Colors Show)" — — "Ass Kickin'" — — "I <3 My N***a" — — rowspan="2" "Crying on Your Birthday" — — "Don Who Leo" 2024 — — Throwing Bows "Ranchero" — — "Passenger Princess (Jibbitz)" — — Throwing Bows "Flush Em" — — "Putting Ya Dine" 2025 8 28 Who Did the Body"Everythang Pinka"2026
As featured artist +List of featured singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Certifications Album "Family Ties" 2020 rowspan="7" "Lock It Down" 2021 "Bald Head Bitch" "You Mad" "Matta & Mona" 2022 "Hands Up" "Hot Girl" "Scary" Who These Rap Niggas Wanna Be Like "Bed Time" 2023 You Still Here, Ho? (Extended) "Top Notch" rowspan="3" "Big One" 2024 "Saint" "Problems"No Hard Feelings "I Can't Lie"2025Way Mo Trill "Yunnnn Wemix"
Guest appearances + List of non–single guest appearances, showing song title, year released, other artists and album name Title Year Artist(s) Album"Jammin' Screwnem"2021GasGang Youngin, OMB Bloodbath, GuapoBe Someone: HoUSton Population"Real Problems"Yung AlI Am Yung "Cee Cee" Maxo Kream Weight of the World"Apply Pressure"Money StofficeGullyside Wayz"Introvert"JohnDeeLivestindacity "Serious"2022 Rizzoo RizzooRacks and Revenge"Stick On Me"KCG Josh, Maxo KreamThe Book of Joshua "Pop Like"2023DJ Chose, KenTheMan, Tay MoneyBe Someone: Texas Population "Don't Worry"That Mexican OT, Lil Jairmy, OTB Fastlane, LilCJ Kasino, Quin NFN "Hol Up"Propain, BeatKing, That Mexican OTMade from Scratch "Neva"2024Flo MilliFine Ho, Stay "PTP Remix"2025Babyfxce EM Block "Move Pt. 2"Mello BuckzzHollyhood "285"AnyciaGrady Baby "Can't Stand Me"Saucy SantanaHaute Sauce "She Don't Wanna Talk"Cash Kidd, Ethan MarcHow Ironic "Baller"Summer Walker, GloRilla, Sexyy RedFinally Over It"Standing O"2026Mike Will Made It, Travis PorterR3set
Awards and nominations Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Give Her FlowHERS Awards 2023 Herself The Self-Love Award NAACP Image Awards2026HerselfOutstanding New Artist American Music Awards2026HerselfBreakthrough Hip-Hop ArtistBET Awards2026HerselfBest New Artist Best Female Hip Hop Artist
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