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Journey Montana Talks About Her Wild Life, Her Favorite Things And What She Doesn't Like Too
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Apr 26, 2024
Certain voices leave an indelible mark, and Journey Montana, the 18-year-old emerging singer and prolific songwriter, unquestionably falls into that category. Her captivating melodies, combined with lyrics that resonate authentically and universally, are impossible to erase from memory once experienced. She is undoubtedly destined for a brilliant future in the music industry. AllHipHop talked to the actor-turned-singer in this exclusive interview that explores the depth of her wild world. Subscribe to AllHipHop on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/allhiphoptv?sub_confirmation=1 Check out more of AHH here on social media: https://allhiphop.com https://twitter.com/allhiphopcom https://facebook.com/allhiphopcom https://instagram.com/allhiphopcom Interviewer: @ChuckCreekmur Executive Producers: “Grouchy” Greg Watkins and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur AllHipHop.com, a powerhouse in the Hip-Hop world, was established and brought to life in 1998 by the visionary CEOs "Grouchy" Greg Watkins and Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur. Over the years, AllHipHop has solidified its position as an invaluable hub for all things Hip-Hop on the web. With its daily dose of news, exclusive interviews, in-depth reviews, multimedia content, a newly-minted expanding community, and a treasure trove of other engaging material, it has garnered immense praise and a dedicated following. Renowned publications consistently turn to AllHipHop for their news and feature references, attesting to the site's unparalleled accuracy and trustworthiness. Additionally, AllHipHop has fostered strong partnerships with numerous offline print magazines, newspapers, television networks, and radio stations, further cementing its influence and reach in the world of #HipHop. #chuckcreekmur #allhiphoptv #journeymontana
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0:00
What's up? It's Journey Montana, Stargirl the EP is out now on all platforms and shout
0:13
out to all hip hop. Period. Hey guys, you are now tuned into All Hip Hop with your girl
0:20
calling me Dizzy. We have Journey Montana in the building. Hey. Thank you so much for
0:25
coming through. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here. So we know that you're
0:30
well not everyone but she's from New York but what part what barrel you repping? I'm
0:36
repping Harlem. I'm from Harlem. Yeah. Harlem girl. Let's go. Okay. And you just had a birthday
0:44
so happy belated birthday to you. Thank you. It's my birthday all month though. But it's
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okay. Thank you. Okay, I hear you on that one. Okay, so how long have you been singing
0:58
I've been singing my whole life. Really. It's a funny story about when I was like a baby
1:05
And my mom was in the grocery store in LA. And I was like screaming at the top of my lungs. And Mariah Carey's vocal coach came up to her in the grocery store and was like
1:14
your baby is crying in perfect pitch. Like, you know, she's gonna be like a singer or
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And I think also because my father is a singer, everybody kind of knew that was like where I was
1:23
gonna go with it. Um, but of course, there was like space for me to figure it out and find it
1:28
on my own. And yeah, like I remember every like school play and every school thing like I was
1:34
always singing and performing and, you know, studying like Whitney and Michael and you know
1:40
the obvious grades and just like soaking up things as soon as like, as soon as I could
1:46
understand how to figure it out. Like that was kind of my immediate thing. So for forever
1:52
Awesome. So I was about to ask you like your musical background, but you just stated your
1:58
father was a singer. So that's pretty awesome. So how long did he sing
2:02
Also his whole life, my dad grew up in the church. My dad is originally from Kansas City
2:07
Missouri. Okay. So they grew up in the church, my entire dad's side, they all sing, my grandma
2:13
sings, my uncle sings, my auntie sings, my grandpa sings, my other cousin sings, my other
2:17
uncle sings, everybody sings. Yeah, everybody sings. So and it's partially because my grandmother
2:24
was really like, strict on them about like singing in church. It was very serious
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They will rehearse at home and practice. It was like a whole thing. So yeah, like I've, I've taken
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a lot of my like drive and stuff from him because I've just, you know, seen him doing it for forever
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Yeah. Okay, well, that's awesome. How long have you been a songwriter
2:48
I've been a songwriter. Also, kind of since I could write I, I've always been like a diary
2:55
girly. I write in journals, I have a big stack in my room of like, all of my diaries for my whole
3:02
life. I still journal to this day. But, you know, I remember I have like my, my journal from like
3:08
kindergarten where it's like, you can't understand the words and it's just like scribbles. But like
3:12
there was a page where I was like writing a little song. Professionally, though songwriting
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I started in around like ninth grade, 10th grade, writing for other people. I was in a girl group
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And like eighth, ninth grade, and then through the girl group, I got situated with like my
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songwriting. And yeah, I started working with other female artists and like, like writing with
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them, working with other writers. And I like learned so much like, oh my gosh, just being in
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the studio being like, you know, 14 and just sitting and watching all of these amazing artists
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I mean, these amazing, amazing artists and writers work and soaking up, you know, their work processes
3:55
and everybody writes a song differently. So it was just, it was really cool to just be around that
4:01
really early. So yeah, I've been songwriting for a long time now
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Dope. So have you ever attended any songwriters, you know, camps? Yes, I kind of, not, not like a technically, I don't know, but kind of I did. When Diddy was doing
4:21
like this thing a few months ago, for his for the album, they had just called in a whole bunch of
4:27
artists and songwriters in LA to write for the project. So I was a part of that. Yeah, that was cool
4:33
Okay, that's cool. So who's your favorite songwriter? My favorite songwriter? Hmm. Right now, just like right now, I feel like SZA is and she has been for
4:45
a while. Um, you know, she's worked with like Rihanna, and she's worked with like Beyonce
4:50
I feel like another one is Sabrina, Sabrina Claudio. She's a really talented songwriter
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Yeah, there's there's a lot I really like Brent Fiers. My big thing with songwriting is like style
5:02
When you have like a distinct songwriting style that that's that's really different from anybody
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else. And it stands out and you you can tell even even Drake, I feel like he has a very specific
5:12
pen, even with like certain songs that he's put out, you can tell when he's completely writing
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this and when he has other writers because his his pen is so distinct. Um, yeah, but SZA I feel
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like is my top is my top right now because I just I love her and I love her sound and I love her pen
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And, you know, I've been inspired by her since her first EP, you know, and like 2013. So yeah
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I love her. And you know what, who's also a great another songwriter you even have a song with him
5:43
Yeah, Eric Bellinger. Yeah, we do have a song together now, which is actually insane. If I
5:51
really think about it too hard. He's been one of my favorite artists for forever. And one of my
5:57
favorite songwriters, he's worked with Chris Brown and anybody you could think of Usher. And he's just
6:03
like a hit maker for real. And yeah, we wrote a song together just for me also, which was like
6:09
insane. That was the first thing that we did when we worked together. He we were just co writing
6:13
together on one of my records, which was like, amazing to be around him and soaking up, you know
6:19
and getting his guidance on a record like that was just amazing. I was so happy. Couldn't stop
6:23
smiling. Couldn't stop giggling. I was so giddy. And yeah, and then, you know, he liked undefeated
6:30
and, you know, he decided to hop on it. And I was just like, I cannot. I cannot believe this. Like
6:36
you would have on my song. Yeah, so it's really, really special. And that's also one of my favorite
6:42
songs, you know, ever that I've written. So to have him on it, just a cherry on top. Like, yeah
6:49
So how did y'all meet? Or even get connected? Like, well, it's two ways. So we met a long time
6:57
ago. I forget what it was somebody's party. I think it was another Diddy party around BT weekend
7:04
And he knows my dad. So I was just like, Oh, hey, like that. And he was like, Oh
7:10
Jody, like you're so and so's daughter. And then I was like, Okay, cool. And, and then
7:16
like, years later, this year, we have the same manager now. And it was just kind of like
7:22
it's just been so many full circle moments. So we have the same manager. And you know, he connected
7:26
us, but we had already like known each other, we were familiar with each other from that
7:29
But we had just never gotten the chance to work together. And, you know, the first time I met him
7:34
I was, again, like 1415. I was really, really young, just starting. And you know, he's always
7:39
been kind and nice. And I was just like, we're gonna work together one day. And you know, now we have so that's cool. Awesome. So I mean, that's wonderful, especially being Eric Bellinger. Like
7:50
so is there any other songwriter that you would like to work with? Susan, I say this, I always say this, and every anytime somebody asks me that question
7:59
says, I love to work with J Cole. Yeah, I, I would like to work with Naja. Also
8:05
she's another songwriter that I've really been watching, and she's been doing her thing. But
8:10
SZA has always been at the top of my list. Like, I'll just sit and watch her work. Because that's
8:14
the thing. Like I kind of like to soak things up, like a sponge and see people's work process. So
8:20
if I was able to just even witness her work process, that would be enough. I would just
8:25
really I would be satisfied. SZA. Yeah, you hear this somebody who did my girl
8:31
get my girl journey right here. Come on. Let's make this happen. Somebody, anybody
8:38
That would be awesome, though, like the both of y'all working together, or even collaborating on like a song together. That would be very awesome
8:47
Okay. Both of y'all are great singers and songwriters. So that would be wonderful
8:55
So you just dropped a new project. You had your album release party last night. So how many songs
9:02
are on the album? Eight. There's eight songs on the project. Yeah. Okay. And the project is called
9:07
Stargirl, right? It is. Yes. Stargirl. So you came up with the title of the album? Yes. It's really
9:15
well, the immediate thing was, I have like a million star tattoos all over me. And I always
9:19
say like stars on my body because I'm a star. Like that's like my thing. And you know, I have a
9:24
star girl right here. And I just love it so much. And I was debating with like, coming up with the
9:29
project title. And then I just I got that one. And I was just like, I love this tattoo so much
9:34
It makes so much sense. Like I identify with it so much that I would get it tatted. Like, you know
9:39
it just it just made sense. And then, you know, when I really started to unpack, like what that
9:46
means to me, it was so many layers to it. And I felt like, you know, there was a reason why I
9:51
identified with that term so much where I got it tatted on me. And, you know, I feel like it
9:56
represents an era in my life, which is why I resonated with just the name in general. And
10:04
yeah, so I felt I was just like, let me base the entire project around this and just like expand
10:07
on this, you know, this feeling and this thought. So that was kind of how it sparked. I kind of had
10:12
the name first and then I built it around the name and like what that meant to me
10:17
Okay, so could you just give us like four of your top songs from the album
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What are my top songs? I'll say Let It Go, Stargirl, Undefeated
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and Bad Decisions. I can't leave out Bad Decisions. Okay, let's talk on all four of those songs if we can. So Let It Go, is this a song for your ex
10:44
Or what's the message behind the song? And how did you come up with the song, the inspiration
10:49
Well, Let It Go, I kind of wanted a song that was a little bit broad, if that makes sense. Like
10:56
it could be interpreted in a lot of different ways. The hook, I'm just like, maybe I should
11:00
let it all go. And, you know, that could mean a lot of different things for a lot of different
11:04
people. For me, like the literal context of the song, like when you break down the verses and
11:10
stuff, I'm talking about just the first line is I only come out on the town when the sun is down
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like I'm always outside at night, which is literally my life. Especially the point
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because this is about my like, 19th year of life. And that was my first time really being
11:25
out in the nightlife and, you know, doing shows and all sorts of stuff like that. So
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yeah, that was that was kind of, you know, we're setting the scene with that. And, you know
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I'm always like, kind of looking for love, which I have another song about, but I, you know, looking
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for love and, you know, falling in love with dudes when you're out and just, you know, love at first
11:45
sight being a little, you know, being mixy and stuff. And it's just like, maybe I shouldn't do
11:51
that. You know what I mean? Like, it happens every weekend. Like I keep on looking for somebody and
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all sorts of things like that. So so that's kind of the literal context of the song. Let it go
12:03
But yeah. Okay, I would have never thought that I'm so happy. Like, really broke that down
12:10
Because like, your whole vision is totally different than what I thought
12:15
Oh, really? Yeah. So that's pretty dope. Just, you know, have a song that inspired you at 19 and about love. So
12:23
that's awesome. Okay, let's talk about your other, you know, three from the album
12:27
Okay, so Stargirl. Stargirl is kind of like the nucleus of the project. I feel like it explains
12:34
if anybody's confused about what the tone is for the project, just listen to Stargirl first
12:38
Just listen to Stargirl first. It kind of has a bit of every song in it, if that makes sense
12:44
It has chaos, and confusion and love and, you know, being a star literally and what that means
12:53
and dealing with loneliness and all sorts of things like that. The song doesn't have a hook
12:58
It's like a long verse. But it touches a lot of different things. And it has a lot of different
13:04
moments in it. You know, there's like a part of the song where it's like a choir type of vibe
13:09
And I was very specific about that. I also co produced that with my producer abstract
13:15
And we really like, broke that down. We co produced a lot of the songs on the project
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probably about 90% of them. But yeah, that specific song has about five, six different
13:27
versions of it. Because we were so particular about the way that it was going to sound or I
13:32
was so particular about the way it was going to sound. Yeah. So you said there was five different versions of the song. How did you pick the version that you wanted
13:43
Well, when we first started the production, and I had like the idea, well, originally how the song
13:49
just became I was just writing in my room, which I which is usually how my songs start. And I just
13:55
had like this one line and it was like, I'm not an angel. I'm just a star. And kind of the breakdown
14:01
of that is just like, I'm not perfect. But you know, I shine regardless. And yeah, so that was
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the idea that kind of planted the seed for me. Then I got in the studio and I was just like
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I want this to feel like, like floating. I don't know. I want this to feel like floating. That's
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always how I start. What's my feeling right now? And I what do I want this song to feel feel like
14:23
So we started with these synths. And we literally just recorded the synths. It was just synth. And
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I just went and laid the whole song with all the words and all the parts of it. And then
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we came back out and I listened to it and it sounded like heaven. And I was like, oh my gosh
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this is just amazing. Like it sounds exactly how I want it to. But then I listened to it in the car
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And I loved it. I still love that first original version to this day. It's that's that's I love
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that version. I'll probably maybe do like an acoustic version, like a stripped down version
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with that maybe one day. But yeah, I listened to it in the car and I was just like
15:02
it needs to it needs to do something different. And I had this idea to put like these Atlanta
15:08
type of like trap drums on top of it because it's like a contrast. You know what I mean? Like with
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the the heavenly synths and then, you know, taking it to like the Atlanta trap energy. And so I was
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like, maybe we could try to combine it. And even me singing on it so like softly and stuff. I was
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like, that could be crazy. So then we added those and then we added another thing. And then I left
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and then we came back another day and added more stuff. And then we were like, let's make this area
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over here like this. And it was just like a lot of different points with the song where we took it
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over here and then over here. Maybe not do that. And maybe let's try this again. And we really
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massaged it and we really, you know, made it with love and made it with care. So it was very
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intentional. And I'm really, really happy about where it ended up. I feel like it's really different
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from what anybody else is doing. And yeah, really cool. So you also was like, OK, include this like
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drums or beats within a production. Oh, my goodness. You see how hands on she is with her
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artistry. A lot of artists are not like that hands on with the artistry and with the production and
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stuff. So that's very dope. That means that you really care about your artistry and your artwork
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Yeah, I do. But that speaks volumes. Not only that, you know what? I just want to bag up a
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little right quick because I want to ask you this right quick. What is your thoughts on the state of
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R&B right now? I'm popular opinion. I feel like R&B is in a great place right now
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I know people feel like there's not a lot of good R&B out, but there is. You just have to look for
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it. I have so many of my peers that are absolutely killing it. They're making amazing, amazing music
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I listen to R&B all day long and it's old school and new school. We exist. We're out here. You have
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different people for different things. I always say that I'm kind of like spicy R&B. It's not
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the traditional R&B, even though this song with Eric Bellinger, I did kind of dabble into the
17:08
more traditional route. But naturally, I feel like I make a little bit spicier R&B
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There's a space for that, too. If that's what you're looking for, I exist. There are people
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who make more traditional R&B and they exist also. There's so much R&B out right now. I honestly feel
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like we're up. Technically, I think we are up right now. So yeah, we up
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Well, I'm happy that your response is kind of different than others
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That the state of R&B is in a good place. But I mean, you would know because we're just the
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listeners and the people looking in. So we just feel like R&B, the state of R&B has declined
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than what it used to be some years before or prior. But you said that we're in a good state
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with R&B. Yeah, I also feel like this because this is another, you know, interesting opinion
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that I have. But I honestly feel like it's not the state of R&B that has ever been in trouble
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I think it's more so the state of society, because I've always felt like what's lit in
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music or what's number one in music is genuinely a reflection of where the people are right now
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You know what I mean? I don't think there's ever stopped being ushers. I don't think there's ever
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stopped being Beyonce's. I don't think there's ever stopped being singers and the real R&B's and
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the Jodas. I don't think there's ever stopped. I just think people didn't want that anymore and
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people want a sexy red or ice ice and that's OK. You know what I mean? I love them too
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And I just think that instead of it being like R&B is in a bad state, which I it's so many people
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on this earth, like I honestly feel like that's impossible. It's more so like where are we as a
19:00
society, especially with social media, like the people have the power to choose who's on
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So this is actually a time where we're genuinely a reflection of what's lit right now. You know
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what I mean? So that's kind of how I feel about it. It's like if everybody really wanted
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R&B to be the only thing we're listening to, that would be what it is. But people must not
19:21
want that. You know, it's just like what you're saying versus what you're doing type of type of
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situation. So that's how I feel. Just wrinkle that in there. But I feel like R&B is in a great place
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Like I think the R&B singers, we're doing our jobs. And yeah, so yeah, that's the only thing we can do
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So I like your response with that. And it sounds that like, you know, when it comes down to hip
19:44
hop, a lot of people think that the legends aren't respected. But when it comes to the R&B
19:51
legends, do you think they're respected? As far as getting our flowers? Yeah, I feel like
20:00
I feel like just overall, it's just some people are and some people aren't. It's a little like touchy touchy, because some people respect like on a personal level
20:09
some people respect other people more than other people, just like personally, like I know for
20:15
for me, Etta James is one of like, if I were to meet her at some point in my life, I
20:19
she was one of my first loves in music. And I probably respect her and her artistry a lot more
20:26
than I feel like a lot of other people may. And it's just like a personal thing. So I feel like
20:32
R&B or hip hop, it's kind of up in like, you know, some people get respected more than others. And
20:39
it's just how it is. I don't know, I genuinely am a believer of respect is earned. But, you know
20:46
if you want more respect, then, you know, earn it a little bit. Not and I'm not saying that
20:52
like in the legend, you know, don't earn respect or anything like that. But, you know, you if you're
20:58
in that space, and you've earned your respect, there's people who respect you regardless of
21:02
what you're doing. You know what I mean? Right. So yeah. Well, so y'all make sure thank you so
21:08
much for coming through. But hold on, hold on, hold on. You got to promote your album. And you
21:14
guys I went to a listening party and she has some wonderful songs. She performed the music live. And
21:21
she performed every song. I was feeling it. And it was really good. So yeah, make sure y'all go
21:30
check out Stargirl. Eight songs. What else you want them to know? Yeah, make sure you guys go
21:36
tap into an into Stargirl. If you don't know now, you know. Yes, out now on all platforms on all
21:44
streaming platforms. Yeah, hope you guys love it. And yeah, more on the way more music on the way
21:51
to on the way. Shout out to my shooters. Yeah, y'all make sure y'all stay tuned into her please
21:58
because she's a wonderful artist and we thank you so much for coming through
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