Moyann revving her career at her own pace
Feature on Superbowl Jeep Commercial has artiste fuelled up
Published:Sunday | February 19, 2023 | 3:58 AMStephanie Lyew - Sunday Gleaner Writer
For Montego Bay-born recording artiste, Moyann Montique, being a part of the remix of Marcia Griffiths’ iconic 1980s hit Electric Boogie with Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Shaggy, is a surreal experience. The idea of fame has been viewed as a paradox for any Jamaican with a childhood like hers.
It has been five years since she emerged on the scene, “just a young girl with a talent and a dream”, and now, she is on a remix that is the soundtrack for the Jeep Super Bowl LVII commercial which was aired to millions of people across the world during the American football game last Sunday.
Moyann opens up the conversation with a double dose of childlike giggles. “I’ve always wanted to be on a record with Shaggy; he is a giant in the industry and I love his music, but I never thought it would be on a song like Electric Boogie,” she said, adding that her parents would play a number of songs from Griffiths’ catalogue but that, “nothing is as priceless as seeing them doing the boogie and electric slide or just enjoy music.”
“Knowing the work and achievements of pioneers like Shaggy and Marcia Griffiths have reinforced the respect I have for those who laid the foundation, and paved the way for young artistes and women like me. Even after meeting her and working with her, I have done more research into her music, and her work is absolutely legendary and I’m ready to shift into the next gear and do more work with them.”
The one-minute commercial dubbed ‘4x4e Electric Boogie’ is part of a bigger global marketing strategy to engage millennials and reinforce its brand identity as it celebrates its electric car development. The Grand Cherokee 4xe and The Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which happens to be Moyann’s dream car, are featured in the ad campaign.
The Boss Up artiste-songwriter, who currently owns a BMW 4 Series, which is dolled up, shared, “I wouldn’t say it is my dream car, because I believe in making it my reality. The Jeep Wranglers have always been my favourite but I’ve been fortunate to own a vehicle for myself and continue to manifest these major achievements in my life.”
She expressed immense admiration for both veterans and for a moment began to reminisce on her childhood in the west and said that, from she has known herself, she has studied music down to the very first key. It started out with “holding brushes and dolls like a microphone to sing, then being the shy one at the back of the choir line-up”, and now she playing with bigger toys and eyeing larger podiums. Though sharing much of the detailed experiences which shaped her into who she is today may not be her strongest suit, Moyann bared her soul on the challenges of moving to Kingston.
Moyann said, “At first, it was hard being in Kingston; I was basically here alone with no family, and I can’t say friends either. Growing up in a close-knit home, with my mom, my father and my sister, it was sort of a social shock and it took a toll on me mentally. But it was nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“This is one of the reasons I’m grateful for DJ Frass, who was able to connect me with a new circle of people and industry professionals. I guess I’ve gradually grown into the city lifestyle because I’m a person who uses new experiences to create the stories I want to sing about, but my upbringing keeps me grounded.”
The streaming numbers of songs like ABC 123, Netflixxx & Chill, Quite Alright, Big Tingz, Big Ego, A Nuh My Style, Please Yuh Girl, and Middle, with Tommy Lee Sparta, that has a viral dance challenge on TikTok, shows that Moyann is a crowd favourite.
She recently performed in Belize and returned to several requests from producers from Central America to record new music with her, and there are a few label executives aiming the signing shot at Moyann. But she does not see that step being taken for now.
“Everything happens when it should; being signed or unsigned is not going to stop me from putting in the work until I get an opportunity of a sensible deal. Of course, signing to a record label is on the list of things I’d like to achieve, but taking the necessary steps are important also. I’m not in a rush, I’m doing it on my own time,” she said.
“There are many things I want to achieve, including finish school. Every time the topic comes up, the encouragement of my mom to complete what I started out to do, like my studies in shipping and logistics science, reminds me. As for my personal life, I always tell people I’m complicated but that I’m also a straightforward person and can separate music from everything else,” Moyann continued.
Moyann heads to Atlanta, Georgia for ‘Women Empowerment Exclusive’ at Bliss Lounge and, on April 8, she is scheduled to perform with Spice at the popular Amazura Nightclub, in Queens, New York.