TvOne 'R&B Diva' Monifah Carter Talks Individuality, Music Industry, and Family
Working since the young age of nine, New York native and R&B Diva Monifah Carter states, “I think that most of us (hopefully) during our lifetime, shed old skin, habits, and belief-systems as we grow and evolve. It’s a natural process”. Privileged to have always had the support of her family and friends she considers herself, “blessed”. We all know New Yorkers are notorious for being brutally honest, but whether it was her writing, acting, or singing her family and friends have cheered her on since her big break in the early 90s. The same words of encouragement that kept her centered while in this tough industry is the same wisdom she shares with inspiring youth and young adults… “remember you are good enough. Everyone is as unique as their fingerprint. Trust that truth. Nourish that truth. Get to know yourself so you can love you and be the example of how you expect to be received and treated in the world, in your family, and in your life”.
The greatest advice she has ever received have all come from life experiences; from the peaks, the valleys, and the plateaus of her life. “Experience is an incredible teacher if you’re awake in class”. The music industry can be rough and although her schedule is hectic at times she always finds her solace in her gratefulness and through prayer. Remembering those that came before her is self-effacing. “This is the music business so it's important to keep up with the flow, but still maintain your individuality”. Monifah tries her best to not feed into her fears, but one of her biggest ones is giving in to the negative thoughts and insecurities. Sometimes we’re our own worst critic. At that moment she has to “re-mix, re-program, re-evaluate. I pray away any negative self-message at that very point in time. I don't take my sanity, health, or healing for granted”.
Although the genre of R&B music is sampled everywhere, there’s this myth that its dead or ‘lost in the shuffle’. Monifah states the objective that gets fickle in the current state of R&B music is that the public doesn’t support it as they should. She believes that we have to do better in supporting and unifying the contingency of R&B music because it’s the soundtrack to many lives and movements.
There’s nothing like a mother’s love and Monifah’s daughter, Akemi, has a great one in her corner. When asked to name something she loves about her relationship with her daughter she proudly stated, “the healing transition that has taken place in my daughter Akemi's and my relationship has given birth to an open, sincere, and ‘straight-talk’ level of communication. We have the best talks about life”! The world got to witness Monifah’s beautiful wedding on TvOne's R&B Divas almost two years ago to her longtime partner. “Terez is an amazing human being. On our journey together we both learn incredible life jewels that assist us daily. With God first, we make each other better. I'm so blessed “. MoNation (aka her amazing fans) keeps her inspired daily. She admits they fuss and love on a various range of topics through social media and meet-n-greets and she’s thankful for all her fans and their support. “I want to speak truth in my music. I think I've kind of always done that but, now it's on a different level,” and she can’t wait to share more music, more movies, and more TV projects with MoNation.