By Sonali Khanna, Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter • Aug 3, 2026

Leondra Roshawn Gay, better known as Monaleo, has been making music since 2020. Her latest single “Everythang Pinka” solidifies her position as an emerging artist to look out for. Her pop-rap music often focuses on female empowerment, and she’s been an outspoken advocate for mental health. 

On Sunday, before Monaleo even took to the stage, the crowd got hyped up with Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” Hands were pumping in the air, people were singing along and spirits were already high.  

They got even higher when Monaleo appeared. Consistently energetic and hard to stay still during, Monaleo’s set was the party Lollapalooza’s Airbnb stage needed. 

“We at Leopalooza,” Monaleo’s hype man said, who ad-libbed throughout the set and elevated it with his contagious energy.

Supported by two backup dancers, the set’s choreography was notably vigorous, with the dancers including stunts like the splits.

“Y’all feeling good?” the Houston-raised rapper asked the crowd. “Y’all looking good.”

Monaleo addressed the audience often, helping create an environment full of buzz. With catchy songs and lyrics that feel delightful to scream out loud, she put on a thoroughly entertaining show.

“If you got someone hating on you right motherf—-ing now, make some noise,” Monaleo said before encouraging the crowd to put up their middle fingers in the air. 

She then had the crowd chant “Suck it up” to address their haters, introducing her song of the same name.  

To end her set, she engaged all sides of the crowd, asking each part to sing along to different melodies to create a unique harmony. 

Monaleo ended her set, which was scheduled for 45 minutes, about 10 minutes early, but each minute she performed was worth watching. 

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