Mona Scott-Young deserves all her flowers. Not only did she play in instrumental role in some of Hip-Hop’s greatest names, such as Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, she’s also the genius behind the Love & Hip Hop franchise.
Fast forward to today, Mona Scott-Young is excited as ever with the release of her new film on BET+ called Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy. The two-part series stars an all-star cast, including Taye Diggs, Keesha Sharp, Ciera Payton, Apryl Jones, and more. The title is exactly what you can expect: an Atlanta playboy named Lance is mysteriously murdered, and the investigation for the killer results in some of his deepest, darkest secrets coming to light.
Beyond film and her entrepreneurship, Mona recently put on the manager hat. This time, it’s for a buzzing artist named Scar Lip, whom have gotten standout co-signs from Cardi B, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, and many more. In fact, Mona is the reason Scar Lip is signed to Epic Records (via Sylvia Rhone)!
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The Source had the opportunity to speak with Mona-Scott Young about how she connected with Scar Lip in the first place, thanks to Busta and Swizz.
What’s the fondest memory you have with Missy Elliott, during the prime of the Hip-Hop Golden Era?
One of my fonder memories is a story about how we met. There were two times that we met. One when I tracked her down in a hotel room, and she’s like “yeah thanks, but no thanks.” The second time was Sylvia Rhone where funny, full circle moment: Scar Lip was signed to Sylvia at Epic. Back then, I managed Busta and Sylvia was the person who turned me onto Missy, when they were signed to her at Elektra Records.
Going out to Lilith Fair, spending the weekend chasing Missy around. To see how far she’s come as an artist in her development and see who she is today, it makes me so proud. Lots of warm stories, but remember her looking at me going “Yeah, I don’t want a manager. Thanks.” [laughs]
Speaking of, how did you end up linking with Scar Lip?
That was actually Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz. They called me, and Swizz said “Yo, I got to talk to you sis. I want to see if you’re interested in this project.” Busta was the one who said, “Look, I’m gonna send you this IG page. I want you to go down the page, then hit me back.” Her first three posts where she talks about her life and her history and who she is just hooked me in. We connected, we met. We’ve been rocking ever since, trying to get this project up and running.
She’s got a killer single right now, “Monster” video. I love that she’s really getting the support of her peers out there on the male and female front. She’s definitely one to watch, we’re excited about her.
You probably get hit up all the time to have to be managed by a bunch of artists. What was it about Scar Lip?
I tell you: seeing that drive, the hustle and the heart that has gone into her passion and her craft. Understanding that she took all of her experiences and her pain and put it to paper in a way that you can’t help but want to see this girl win. When it came to me, going I know I can help her. I know I can at minimum get her set up for success, there was almost no way for me to say no.
Not to mention Swizz and Busta going “we need you sis! You gotta do this.” All have rallied around her. Mary J Blige. Cardi B. She has such a village of really established artists wanting to see her win, and who have really been supportive of her. We’re excited to see where this thing goes with Scar.
