Pronounced “MOHN-ah-VELL-ee,” Nikayla “MonaVeli” Moreland is a fiery wordsmith and visual storyteller based in Brockton, Massachusetts. A tactical lyricist with a vibrant artistic vision, she merges alternative and experimental hip-hop with R&B, delivering emotionally evocative productions that retain a vulnerability rooted in her earlier work. Inspired by the transcendent, community-driven spirit of the Ballroom scene and aligning with the innovative energy of artists like Doechii, Doja Cat, and SadBoi, her music and visuals radiate an electric, futuristic feel, blending bold fashion, eclectic neon imagery, and rebellious style to carve out a legacy uniquely her own.

Her 2021 single “TRUTH,” featuring rap-battle artist Tsu Surf, surpassed 10k streams and that same year, she contributed to a Billboard placement for producer Humbeats’ project Growth with their collaboration “Wouldn’t Believe It.” In 2022, she landed her first paid out-of-state performance in Dallas, followed by a 2023 “Best New Artist” nomination at the Boston Music Awards and a WBZ-TV feature for their Hip-Hop Anniversary. She’s since graced stages from underground hubs to Boston’s historic Strand Theater, closing their play HOOPS. In 2024, she was featured in the Boston Globe for performing at Chez Vous alongside viral rap artist Cleotrapa and local stars Kei, Cakeswagg, and Big Sosa, spotlighting women of color in Boston’s music scene.

MonaVeli’s next chapter takes her overseas for a Summer 2025 tour, unveiling new singles via EveryDejaVu Records showcasing her signature “palate cleanser” sound, empowering underdogs and the marginalized to embrace their authentic selves. “I want to be a part of the reason other artists and creatives recognize their own limitless potential,” she says, an ethos forged in her childhood. Raised on her mother’s record collection — spanning Nina Simone to Nickelback, Rakim to Ray Charles — she’s carried these multifaceted influences into her artistry. Whether rapping with audacious grit or crooning over unconventional instrumentals, she’s rewriting the rules, one gut-punch anthem at a time.