When we talk about music being an introduction, Melbourne’s MONRXE has made a strong one with the release of her debut single, ‘BAD4YA’. Built upon a bed of lived experiences, drawing from a rich and vibrant sonic palette of influences, the track is an insight into a fresh new voice and perspective to come out of the Melbourne R&B scene.

Though this is her first release under the MONRXE moniker, the artist has been evolving her craft from a young age; a natural performer who has established a reputation for herself as a strong and dynamic vocalist in other outfits, now ready to step out into a spotlight all her own.

As MONRXE describes, ‘BAD4YA’ is an observation on life lived as a Black woman growing up in Australia. Spending these formative years in Queensland, MONRXE experienced multiple forms of racial discrimination and fetishisation; with her music, she has channeled the feeling of hurt, confusion and frustration into music that is impossible to steer away from.

“‘BAD4YA’ explores multifaceted layers of systemic fetishiation of Black women within a world of white privilege. Particularly, when it comes to oppressive views that the Black woman should be seen and not heard. The idea that white society loves black culture, but not Black issues is sad; really dehumanising,” says MONRXE.

“‘BAD4YA’ speaks of such experiences where partners outside of my culture would be drawn to the fact that I was a well spoken Black woman. I was opposed to preconceived stereotypes of their experience with Black women portrayed in the media. That was the limit to how I was permitted to behave. I wasn’t allowed to contest treatment of racial discrimination, nor voice my authentic opinions from a Black perspective. If I ever did contest, my reputation was villainised. I had to remain in a state of code switching in order to be accepted as “safe.””