ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Monty Gorman Proves That Passion, Intelligence, and Drive Can Coexist in Hip-Hop

In an era where virality often overshadows craftsmanship, Monty Gorman is quietly building something real. A rising rapper and producer from the Bay Area, born Kai Herrera, Monty is making waves with a versatile sound, work ethic rooted in academic excellence, and an unapologetically personal approach to music.
After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona with a 3.94 GPA, many expected him to pursue a corporate or traditional career. But for Monty, the pull of music proved stronger than any degree.
“Everyone gets told they can be whatever they want when they grow up. I’m just actually going for it.”
What began as late-night sessions with college friends — jokingly creating songs that “were mostly trash,” he admits — evolved into a full-fledged passion project. After years of practice, self-teaching, and experimentation, Monty released his first official tracks in early 2025 and hasn’t looked back.
Versatility as a Superpower
Monty Gorman does it all: he raps, sings, writes, and produces nearly every element of his music. “Versatility is essential,” he says. “If I can learn something new to level up my sound, I will.” That mindset has helped him crank out over 100 tracks behind the scenes, and now he’s releasing music consistently every month — with the most recent single “Who You?” dropping on May 20th.
While he’s still in the early stages of his public career, Monty is already earning the respect of fellow artists and creatives with larger platforms, encouraging him to keep pushing the envelope with each new release.
No Shortcuts, No Handouts — Just Growth
The biggest hurdle so far? Learning everything from scratch. From beat-making to mixing and branding, Monty’s done it all independently. “I still find it challenging to get real, honest publicity,” he says. “But once I overcome that, I know my skill set can carry me anywhere.”
Rather than obsessing over the endgame, Monty is focused on one thing: growth. “Right now, I just want to LEARN,” he says. “If I can keep expanding my skills and creating music for the rest of my life — that’s the dream. I want to improve with every drop.”
More Than Music: A Story of Self-Belief
What makes Monty Gorman stand out isn’t just his sound — it’s his perspective. This isn’t just a guy trying to make it big. This is an artist who could have taken any number of secure paths but chose instead to chase the thing that sets his soul on fire.
With each release, he’s not just building a catalog — he’s building a name. And when people search that name, he wants them to find more than just a few songs — he wants them to find the story behind the music.
what’s up next
Monty Gorman’s latest single “Who You?” is available now on all streaming platforms. Follow him on social media and stay tuned — he’s dropping something new every month.