FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONAKAI CELEBRATES EXPLOSIVE YEAR WITH 20 NEW RELEASES ACROSS DnB, HOUSE & TECHNO
Independent Artist Hits Major Streaming Milestones, Poised for Even Bigger Breakthroughs
San Francisco Bay Area, CA (June 24, 2025) — Currently on a prolific run in the studio, electronic music veteran Monakai has dropped 20 brand-new tracks so far this year—spanning drum & bass, house, techno, remixes, and DJ mixes—and racked up impressive numbers on every major platform. Independently distributed to over 60 services worldwide—including Spotify, SoundCloud, Deezer, YouTube Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, and iHeartRadio—Monakai’s releases are demonstrating both depth of catalog and broad listener appeal.
Highlights from Monakai’s Recent Output Include:
- The Aftershocker: Surged past 30,000 streams in its first few days.
- Viral Trends – Go Out Every Night: Secured prime playlist placement on SoundCloud and Spotify, amassing 5,000 streams almost immediately and adding several hundred new listeners daily.
- Monthly Reach: Spotify monthly listeners recently spiked to 1,700 unique; SoundCloud streams now stand at 18,337 and climbing.
“I'm so glad to be back in the studio—music has been a driving force and huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. This is just a new chapter of me doing what I can to share that passion with the world.”
About Monakai
Monakai is no newcomer to the scene. He launched MNKY Productions in 2000, kick-starting his first weekly residency that same year. With MNKY he elevated local and touring bands and DJs across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond—founding Club MNKY in SF for DnB, house, and breaks, and Gorilla Thursdays in Concord exclusively for drum & bass. Over the past two decades he’s performed at marquee West Coast festivals such as LoveFest and LovEvolution, as well as underground raves from Reno to Los Angeles.
A former film and music student who transitioned into audio engineering, Monakai has spent years behind the scenes—recording and producing for fellow electronic artists, and even pressing records “just for fun.” But 2025 marks his full-throttle return as a solo artist, driven by the feedback and momentum generated by his latest releases.
Monakai is an American DJ, producer, and studio engineer whose career spans over 25 years, from pioneering drum & bass residencies in Northern California to chart-topping independent releases in 2025. Known for genre-smashing productions and immersive DJ sets, he continues to champion underground sounds while reaching a new generation of electronic music fans.
MONAKAI RETURNS: A NEW ERA OF SOUND AND ENERGY
San Francisco Bay Area – December 6, 2024 – Monakai, the trailblazing DJ and producer who helped shape the San Francisco Bay Area’s underground electronic music scene, is back in full force with a dynamic catalog of new releases. Known for pushing the boundaries of bass and crafting immersive sonic experiences, Monakai’s latest chapter builds on his legacy while exploring exciting new creative directions.
Monakai’s roots in the Bay Area’s music scene run deep. As the founder of MNKY Productions, he made an undeniable impact on the region’s music culture since 2000. MNKY Productions bridged underground electronic music with the mainstream club scene and elevated the alternative and hard rock genres through innovative event promotion and production. From managing concerts to hosting live events and parties across Northern California, Monakai played a pivotal role in shaping the music landscape of the era.
Monakai, known by many as James from MNKY (born James Omo), is synonymous with groundbreaking events like San Francisco’s biggest Battle of the Bands, the Stella Artois Rock Fight, Club MNKY, and Gorilla Thursdays in Concord, CA. These venues showcased many of the Bay Area’s biggest names in electronic music and demonstrated his commitment to elevating the scene.
He also founded MNKY Studios, a recording studio in Dublin, California, where he recorded and produced music and promotional artwork for local bands and artists, while also hosting a dubstep internet radio show. Over the years, Monakai held multiple club residencies and performed at some of the West Coast’s largest electronic music festivals, including LovEvolution (formerly Love Parade SF), Sacramento’s Summer Music Festival, and LoveFest SF.
Now, Monakai is reigniting his presence with a series of high-energy releases, including a techno/trance anthem that reflects his signature blend of bold innovation and deep musicality. Releasing independently, Monakai is embracing artistic freedom while remaining open to collaborations and opportunities to partner with like-minded labels.
“I’m excited to share this new era of my music,” says Monakai. “Every track is a reflection of my journey, and I’m always looking forward to connecting with fans and peers who share my passion for breaking barriers in electronic music.”
Beyond new music, Monakai is revitalizing his presence through exclusive live performances, fresh podcast episodes, and curated content that gives fans an intimate look at his creative process.
Listeners can stream Monakai’s latest releases on all major streaming platforms including SoundCloud and stay updated on future projects and events by visiting monakaimusic.com.
About Monakai
Emerging from the Bay Area’s underground, Monakai made his mark by pioneering the evolution of drum and bass into dubstep through the mid-2000s and beyond. A visionary in the electronic music scene, Monakai (James Omo) is known for unforgettable live events, innovative production, and creative marketing strategies that continue to influence the genre. Today, Monakai pushes forward with a mission to inspire and redefine what’s possible in electronic music.
For more information, to request an interview, or for media inquiries, please contact Ines or James @ MNKY at 925-895-8739 or bookmonakai@gmail.com.
