Monaleo — Who Did The Body (Album Review)

Monaleo’s “Who Did The Body” dives into love, loss, and legacy — blending bold lyricism, emotional storytelling, and pure confidence into her most authentic project yet.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. Open the Gates

This one goes out to the people we’ve loved and lost.

“Open The Gates” is a heartbreaker in disguise. Monaleo dedicates this one to the friends she’s lost — the girls she used to ride with, who aren’t here anymore. It’s filled with nostalgia, grief, and love all at once as she reminisces about the nights they shared and the things they dreamed of, but there’s a heaviness underneath every lyric.

The beat is soft but haunting, and her delivery feels raw and emotional. This track shows a vulnerable side of Monaleo that cuts deep and lingers long after it ends.

4. Tamron Hall

Monaleo is calling out her loved ones.

This track’s message is loud and clear: love your people, but don’t let them drag you down. Monaleo uses “Tamron Hall” to call out those close to her who aren’t making the best moves for themselves. It’s tough love — she’s not judging, but she’s drawing boundaries.

The tone is blunt but caring, like advice from someone who’s been through it and learned the hard way. It’s motivational, but not preachy — more like a wake-up call with rhythm and edge

3. Freak Show

Leo and Lizzo are on the track, getting freaky.

Okay — both ladies were cooking with this one, but Lizzo really made it. We get to hear her singing and rapping, and she brings pure heat. “Freak Show” is bold, playful, unapologetically confident, sensual, and a little nasty, but crafted more as a celebration than pure shock value. Monaleo and Lizzo feed off each other effortlessly, trading verses that make you want to crank the volume and let loose. All in all, it’s the perfect opener to showcase that women can be sexy while fully owning their power.

2. Dignified

The storyline on this one is crazy.

“Dignified” is dark, haunting, and incredibly heavy. Monaleo tells the story of a night gone wrong — drinking, driving, and the irreversible consequences that follow. It’s a cautionary tale, but also a reflection on mortality and reputation. She doesn’t want to be remembered for a mistake — she wants to go out with dignity, with her story told right. It’s one of the most emotionally striking tracks she’s ever released, and it proves her storytelling has real depth.

1. Diary of an OG

This track got really personal.

This one hits deep — especially for eldest daughters. Monaleo trades her rap flow for soft, emotional vocals, singing about what it feels like to carry everyone else without having anyone to carry you. She’s the dependable one, the caregiver, the “strong one” everyone leans on — and it’s exhausting. There’s something painfully honest in how she expresses that loneliness. “Diary of an OG” is less about fame or status and more about womanhood, family, and emotional labor. It’s vulnerable, introspective, and one of her most relatable moments yet.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

Life After Death (3.5/5)

Bigger Than Big (4/5)

Sexy Soulaan (3.5/5)

Putting Ya Dine (3/5)

Open The Gates (4/5)

Freak Show (4/5)

Tamron Hall (4/5)

Locked In (4/5)

Spare Change (3.5/5)

Dignified (4/5)

Diary of an OG (4.5/5)

We On Dat (OG Mix) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(77%)

I’m not gonna lie — this album really surprised me. The singles didn’t grab me at first, but the full project completely changed my mind. Who Did The Body is deeper, smarter, and more personal than expected.

Monaleo takes us from playful and sexy moments to deeply emotional storytelling, balancing confidence with compassion. The production ranges from eerie and cinematic to upbeat and fun, but what ties it all together is her voice — commanding, emotional, and completely real. There are themes of loss, self-preservation, womanhood, and legacy all woven through the tracklist.

You feel the growth here —the honesty and the storytelling that have matured with time. This might not be the flashiest Monaleo project, but it’s definitely her most human one. Some of these tracks will stick with me for a while, and I’ll definitely be spinning this again soon.