After spending the last decade plus in hip-hop squads 7:30 Boys and Majik N’ Brrrd, Monty Bing (formerly Bam Muh) has announced a solo EP.  Fully produced by NEF (Termanology, Ren Thomas, Bobby J From Rockaway) the No Vision EP just dropped at the start of November and features a whole host of dope rhymes and beats.

We caught up with Monty Bing who told us all about his music while answering our 10 Questions.

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I think I've always been drawn to hip hop as long as I can remember.  The first rap song I can remember hearing was Killing me Softly by the Fugees, but I don't think I knew it was hip hop at the time.  My interest in the genre grew as I got older and went through more experiences.  Around 16 I recorded what was actually a diss track at my friend Corry's house.  It was supposed to be a one off, but he liked it so much he just kept bugging me to get on more tracks and do more verses so eventually I gave in and have stuck with it for the last 15 years or so.  Since that time I've only released 2 solo projects (both mixtapes) but have released quite a few projects and singles as a member of the 7:30 Boys (now defunct) and Majik n' Brrrrd.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I was born in the 90's so during my formative years Outkast was big.  I had DMX albums and an Eminem cd.  This was not too long after the tragic passings of Tupac and Big so that situation still loomed large over the music and the culture as a whole.  I was living in Alabama when a lot of the southern and midwestern rap took off to the next level, but I wasn't as accepting of that new wave at first.  I had a lyrical rap phase where I listened to a lot of Canibus, Papoose, Saigon etc.  Obviously as I got older you had the 50 Cent's and the Dipset’s, the Lil Wayne’s and T Pain’s; so I feel like I came up in a pivotal moment in the evolution of hip hop.  Outside of rap I really liked Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, System of a Down, Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls to name a few.  In the future I haven't thought too much about who I'd like to work with at this point.  I think doing an EP with Statik Selektah would be a bucket list accomplishment.  I also a have a song with a verse open I think Styles P would be perfect for.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

The most immediate project I have coming out is my EP with Nef called No Vision.  It drops November 1st pretty much anywhere you can stream music and I have a video dropping the same day as well.  This was my first solo project in 9 years so it felt really good to get back on the horse so to speak, and to be able to collaborate with a really talented producer, as well as a friend in Nef.  I'm really proud of what we created and I'm excited for the world to hear it.  As far as things on the horizon, I have another 3 song EP I'm working on with Short Fyuz right now that's almost done, and I have some singles and possibly a full project or 2 coming out with producers Rimy and Beats by G.  On the Majik n' Brrrd front we have 3 and half albums done with artworks and videos ready to go, and a single produced by Myster DL with a video done.  We're just game planning on the roll outs and piecing the budgets together.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I don't think I really have one to be honest.  I know that's not the answer people generally like because they want to put people in an easily digestible category but it's true.  The beats I got from Nef for No Vision were purposefully diverse from each other and a bit of a departure from what would be considered a traditional "Nef beat".  With Majik n' Brrrd we have a lot of music coming out but it's a pretty big range of sounds.  We even have fun and do theme tapes like when we dropped Baycation which we recorded mostly down in Oakland and San Francisco.  I've lived all over the country at this point and have a lot of different influences and interests so I like to reflect that in the music.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I've been able to travel around a lot and do some cool things.  As 7:30 Boys we met with some labels in NYC 2011 and got a co-sign from Success Davis of Atlantic Records.  We sold out the biggest venue in our little city (Jamestown, NY) at that time which was locally good for our buzz.  When I was only a few years in, I did a contest with Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes in Jacksonville, where the winner would open for 2 Chainz later that night.  I took second unfortunately, but I was doing some very East Coast throw back songs for that set, so I thought I did well.  Opening up for Future at Cameo after Rolling Loud in 2017 was a good highlight.  But I'm probably most proud of our collab with Jadakiss; just the way it all came together.  I've never had a deal, or backing, or funding, or a manager, or anything so to be able to have that whole process be as smooth and professional as it was, and to make a song people really like with one of the GOATs was a proud accomplishment.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Be consistent and have balance.  Go small before you go big.  Like I said as Majik n' Brrrd we're sitting on 3 and a half albums right now.  Throughout the years it probably would have been better to just drop single after single after single and build up momentum, but life circumstances and a lack of funding really put the squash on that.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist too so it was difficult to put things out but the key is to put things out.  There's a balance between quality control and inactivity.  Adjust with the times and pay attention to emerging platforms for promo.  Get on stage as much as possible, engage with your audience as much as possible, be authentic and have merch ready to go because that's how you pay your bills in this game.  The music is almost a ploy to bring people in to buy merch and go to live shows.  You need millions upon millions of streams every month to make money from just the music, so it's the money you can make around the music that will sustain you.  It's unfortunate but that's how it is; this is the music business, and the business is a huge part.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Of course I'm going to say my compadre from Majik n' Brrrd Blunton Edwards.  Blunton is the opposite of me.  He drops 6,000 songs a year.  Go back and check out our Majik n' Brrrd catalog too we have some really great music with more to drop.  I think Oun P is slept on.  Termanology still dropping gems and just put out an album with Paul Wall.  Nef is consistently putting out quality music with a lot of really dope artists.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

I'll be honest I'm not listening to too much music right now, I've just been keeping my head down and working on my solo projects and the Majik n' Brrrd albums.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I do stand up comedy but I'm not consistent enough with it so I'm still an open mic-er.  I like working out, training Muay Thai, watching history documentaries about ancient archaeology.  You know real gangster things.   Na but I've been getting more into investing in real estate and trying to understand the monetary system so I can set my family up with an easier life.  I love music but we live in an uncertain world where things are ever changing and nothing lasts as long as you think it will.  I want the knowledge to not just stay afloat but to be able navigate the waters effectively.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

I'm simple. I need water, an extra pair of headphones for my phone, and an engineer that can stay focused for the whole session.  Give me that and I'll make a masterpiece of music.  If it's a Majik n' Brrrd session then you can add copious amounts of cannabis and things to roll it in because Blunton stays true to his name when it comes to making music.  The weed and the music go hand in hand.

Words: Gavin Brown